[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            JOB CREATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I rise in support of H.R. 7110, the Job 
Creation and Unemployment Relief Act.
  While I have reservations about any bill that relies on deficit 
spending, I think the long-term benefits this bill will have for the 
American economy outweigh those reservations. I am, however, very 
disappointed with the minority's objection to an amendment that would 
have included funding for the Secure Rural Schools program in this 
bill.
  H.R. 7110 will help stimulate the American economy by creating jobs, 
and will update the Nation's rapidly deteriorating infrastructure. 
Nationwide, 84,000 Americans have lost their jobs within the last 
month, and more than 600,000 Americans have lost their jobs within the 
last month, and more than 600,000 Americans have lost their jobs 
throughout the year. In my home state of Colorado, more than 19,000 
Coloradans have lost their jobs within the last year.
  This bill will put Coloradans to work, rebuilding our roads, 
expanding our public transportation, investing in our water 
infrastructure, and fixing our schools. The Colorado Department of 
Transportation, CDOT, recently weighed down by a combination of 
deteriorating infrastructure and shrinking resources, will receive more 
than $200 million in direct funding that will be put to use quickly and 
efficiently, and which will immediately help local economies. Colorado 
will be eligible for further funding for its public transit agencies.
  This bill will also provide assistance for those who need help 
getting back on their feet after being wiped out by the current state 
of our economy. H.R. 7110 will extend unemployment benefits for up to 
12,000 unemployed Coloradans, and fund job training programs to help 
them find work. And for those struggling to put food on the table, this 
bill will provide additional food stamps, and will help maintain the 
health of struggling Coloradans by increasing Medicaid assistance.
  As a national leader in the development of clean, renewable energy, 
Colorado stands to benefit greatly from the resources dedicated in this 
bill to advance such technologies. This bill will further help lead 
this nation into an era of energy independence by investing in the 
manufacture of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems--a key 
component to developing a new fleet of fuel efficient cars.
  Simply put, this bill is an investment in America--her people, her 
ingenuity, and her future. I urge my colleagues to join me in support 
of this bill.

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