[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2220]]
INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC SECURITY 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
National Commission on Employment and Economic Security Act.
  More than 2.6 million Americans have lost their jobs since President 
Bush took office in January 2001. In fact, the Department of Labor's 
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in September 2003, 9 million 
Americans were officially jobless. Some experts, including the BLS, 
have suggested that the number of unemployed or underemployed is 
actually somewhere near 15.5 million. The BLS notes that approximately 
6.5 million workers are underemployed or so frustrated at the current 
job market that they have given up looking for jobs.
  During times of high unemployment, Americans experience increases in 
domestic abuse, alcoholism, crime, illness, and in many instances, 
suicides. All of these increases stem not only from the loss of one's 
job, but also from the depression that develops as a result of extended 
unemployment.
  Realize, current U.S. public policy addresses the economic hardships 
that arise from unemployment through the unemployment insurance 
program. For a privileged few, the government even assists in providing 
health care to the unemployed. But what the U.S. government fails to do 
is provide assistance to the unemployed in dealing with the human 
dimension of unemployment.
  Perhaps this is true because the human factor does not allow for a 
one size fits all formula solution. Or perhaps it's because Congress 
never thinks about the human factor, labeling the unemployed as lazy 
and unmotivated, rather than the victims of economic situations of the 
times that they are. But for whatever reason, Congress has never 
addressed this very important tool in understanding the effects of 
long-term unemployment. That, Mr. Speaker, is completely unacceptable.
  The legislation I introduce today establishes the National Commission 
on Employment and Economic Security, a national commission to examine 
the psychological effects of extended unemployment. Specifically, the 
15 member commission is instructed to examine increases in violence by 
employees and former employees in the workplace and in their private 
lives, the effects of well-paying jobs in the U.S., the psychological 
insecurity caused by the loss of a job, and make recommendations to the 
Legislative and Executive branches on actions to alleviate the 
psychological insecurity of the U.S. workforce.

  I am confident that this commission will provide Congress and the 
President with an array of policy recommendations on how we might best 
address the human factor of unemployment. The livelihoods of more than 
fifteen million Americans are depending on it.
  I ask for the support of my colleagues, and I urge the House 
Leadership to bring the bill to the floor expeditiously.

                          ____________________