[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FLEXIBILITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2005

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker and members, I rise today in 
support of the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act because it is the 
right thing to do.
  This bill provides greater flexibility to the National Emergency 
Grants Program at the Department of Labor.
  This will enable communities that are assisting evacuees to increase 
employment opportunities for evacuees.
  For example, this legislation will allow temporary employment of 
evacuees in positions that are not directly related to the disaster.
  While thousands of jobs will be created in rebuilding New Orleans, 
the Houston area has an estimated 200,000 evacuees in the area. If we 
pass this bill today, we will be able to offer these people more job 
opportunities for a longer period of time.
  We hope those who want to return and help rebuild New Orleans will do 
so.
  However, we also expect many evacuees will find it easier to settle 
in Houston now that there are opportunities to find housing and 
employment.
  The State of Texas has already processed over 49,000 calls from 
evacuees seeking unemployment benefits since the evacuation started.
  Texas, and especially Houston, need this bill to pass in order to 
help these people find employment.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.
  Those of us with large numbers of evacuees in our districts need this 
change to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina rebuild their lives 
rebuild their lives.

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