[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 103 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        EMERGENCY EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
including the extension of unemployment benefits in the emergency 
supplemental bill that the House is considering today.
  First, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Chairman 
McDermott, Ranking Member Weller, and the Income Security and Family 
Support Subcommittee for all their hard work on this important piece of 
legislation. I am proud to be a Member of the Subcommittee and to have 
cosponsored the legislation that provided the framework for this 
compromise. I also thank Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery for 
their leadership and support in negotiating a compromise.
  It is essential that congressional leaders were finally able to come 
together and find a way to help hard-working Americans. The need for 
this legislation is critical. It is a first step of hopefully many to 
jumpstart our economy. Today there are 200,000 more long-term, jobless 
Americans than the last emergency unemployment assistance extension in 
2002.
  My constituents call and email and write the same question over and 
over again. They want to know what Congress is doing to support them 
during the current recession. Almost every month, unemployment is on 
the rise while higher gas and food prices are making it even harder for 
Americans to make ends meet. Our duty is simple--we must show the 
American people that we hear them, that we understand them, and that we 
will act.
  We are a great nation, but we cannot continue to be great unless we 
honor our commitment to everyone in need. In times like these, we must 
use every tool at our disposal to help those who want and need to work. 
Unemployed workers cannot wait. They rightfully expect Congress's full 
support in their fight to become gainfully reemployed.
  I urge my colleagues to support extending unemployment benefits now. 
It's the right thing to do for Americans, and it's the right thing to 
do for our economy.

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