[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GREEN JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, it's no surprise that our Nation's economy is 
struggling. The cities in the 32nd Congressional District that I 
represent have seen unemployment rates soar to 7.2 percent. Gasoline 
prices continue to go up above $3.
  In Los Angeles, a family loses a home to foreclosure every hour.
  However, the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors seem to 
be booming.
  In 2006, the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors generated 
8.5 million jobs, nearly $1 trillion in revenue for the United States. 
These jobs are good-paying jobs, and they will not be outsourced.
  The Green Collar Job Act that was signed into law recently will help 
train 3 million new workers. Through the program, workers included will 
be those in underserved communities like mine.
  In this time of economic turmoil, we need to invest in America and in 
our workforce. Let's make sure that Congress appropriates the accorded 
amount of money so that we can create this stream of jobs that will 
stay here on our shores.

                          ____________________