[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9765-H9766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL JOB CORPS DAY

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 163) expressing support for 
designation of September 23, 2009, as ``National Job Corps Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 163

       Whereas over the course of 45 years, nearly 3,000,000 youth 
     in the United States have been provided a safe living and 
     learning environment on Job Corps campuses nationwide;
       Whereas 123 Job Corps campuses educate and train 60,000 
     youth in the United States each year;
       Whereas throughout its more than four decades of existence, 
     Job Corps has successfully provided the Nation's economically 
     disadvantaged youth with critical residential, academic, and 
     vocational services;
       Whereas Job Corps is considered the Nation's largest and 
     most successful high school dropout recovery and youth 
     empowerment program;
       Whereas youth enrolled in Job Corps, receive intensive 
     academic remediation, gain employability, learn life skills, 
     and receive job placement assistance;
       Whereas Job Corps builds the lives of youth, many of whom 
     are high school dropouts, read slightly below the 8th grade 
     reading level, and have never held a full-time job;
       Whereas in an average 8 month stay at Job Corps the vast 
     majority of youth leave with a high school diploma or 
     equivalency, improve their literacy by more than two grade 
     levels, and 75 percent of Job Corps graduates secure 
     employment or enter the military;
       Whereas Job Corps' successful model of preparing youth in 
     the United States has included partnerships and linkages with 
     employers and labor representatives;
       Whereas this public-private partnership of American 
     ingenuity has led to local and large employers and labor 
     representatives providing Job Corps students hands-on, 
     practical experience through internships and helping during 
     the transition from student to employee;
       Whereas Job Corps students and staff have contributed to 
     their communities through millions of hours of community 
     service, signaling the importance of giving back to the 
     communities in which they live;
       Whereas dedicated Job Corps staff invest their time and 
     talents in the lives of students and without whom Job Corps 
     could not fulfill its mission;
       Whereas the economic benefits of a local Job Corps center 
     generate 100 permanent jobs, thus producing 15,000 qualified 
     and dedicated staff in 48 States, the District of Columbia, 
     and Puerto Rico; and
       Whereas September 23, 2009, would be an appropriate day to 
     designate as ``National Job Corps Day'', in honor of the 45th 
     anniversary of Job Corps: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the designation of ``National Job Corps Day''; 
     and
       (2) encourages State and local governments to observe the 
     day with appropriate activities that promote awareness of Job 
     Corps.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Oversight Committee, I am pleased to 
present House Concurrent Resolution 163 for consideration. This 
legislation expresses support for the designation of September 23, 
2009, as ``National Job Corps Day.''
  The measure before us was introduced on July 8, 2009, by my 
colleague, Representative Jerry Moran of Kansas, and it was favorably 
reported out of the Oversight Committee on September 10, 2009, by 
unanimous consent. Additionally, this legislation currently enjoys the 
support of over 65 Members of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 163 supports the designation 
of September 23 as ``National Job Corps Day.'' Administered by the 
United States Department of Labor, the Job Corps is the Nation's 
largest career technical training and educational program for young 
people over the age of 16. The Job Corps offers a wide array of 
services, including career planning, on-the-job training, job 
placement, residential housing, food services, and driver education.
  Since its inception via the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, the Job 
Corps has provided countless young Americans with the academic, 
vocational and social skills training needed to help them obtain 
meaningful jobs and to pursue further educational opportunities.
  In light of the recent economic crisis, the various services and 
programs offered by the Job Corps have never been more important for 
America's youth and for the entire Nation. The Job Corps helps to 
ensure that America's workforce remains capable of handling the 
challenges of our rapidly changing world.
  Notably, the Job Corps boasts 123 centers nationwide, including 
centers in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Of these 123 
centers, my own congressional district is the proud home of the Job 
Corps' Boston regional office. This terrific regional office oversees 
Job Corps centers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New 
York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
  In closing, I am delighted to support House Concurrent Resolution 
163, and I urge all of our friends and Members to join me in 
recognizing the continuing success of the Job Corps.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to discuss House Concurrent Resolution 163, expressing 
support for the designation of September 23, 2009, as National Job 
Corps Day.
  The Job Corps organization has been training young adults for careers 
since 1964. Job Corps's mission is to ``attract eligible young people, 
teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, 
and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.'' By committing 
to this mission, Job Corps is able to successfully train thousands of 
youth in the United States each year.
  Job Corps involves youth and a free career development program, which 
integrates the teaching of academic, vocational, employability skills 
and social competencies. This gives young people the opportunity to 
prepare themselves for a fruitful future, with help from the dedicated 
employees who ensure this program runs smoothly and effectively. These 
people should also be commended.
  Keeping our Nation's youth in productive programs like Job Corps 
helps to steer the youth of the United States in the right direction. 
The staff and students have contributed to their communities millions 
of hours of community service, showing the importance of giving back to 
the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support the 
designation of September 23, 2009, as National Job Corps Day by 
agreeing to House Concurrent Resolution 163.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 
163. This legislation designates tomorrow, September 23, 2009, as 
``National Job Corps Day.'' I introduced this resolution to commemorate 
the 45th anniversary of Job Corps and to recognize the program for its 
successes.
  I firmly believe that the world is changed one person at a time. At 
Job Corps' 123 centers across the country, the program is changing 
lives each day. Close to three-quarters of the students who enroll in 
Job Corps are high school dropouts. Many have never held a full-time 
job. These young people come from difficult circumstances, with skills 
and abilities not yet discovered or fully developed.
  Yet, Job Corps recognizes the potential in these individuals. It 
gives them the opportunity to improve their education and learn an 
employable skill. It provides the care, encouragement, and support 
these youths need to turn their lives around.
  In an average 8 month stay at Job Corps, the majority of students 
leave with a high

[[Page H9766]]

school diploma or equivalency and improve their literacy by more than 
two grade levels. About 75 percent of Job Corps graduates secure 
employment or enter the military.
  Young people need Job Corps now more than ever. While it can be 
difficult for a young person who lacks the proper skills and education 
to find work in good economic times, it becomes even more of a 
challenge in times of economic uncertainty. The unemployment rate in 
August for those ages 16 to 19 was a staggering 25.5 percent. For 20 to 
24 year olds, the jobless rate was just over 15 percent.
  While Job Corps reaches some 60,000 youths each year, it cannot serve 
all those in need. Sadly, many young people still fall through the 
cracks and the cost to these individuals and society is immense.
  Studies tell us that over the course of the next decade, the 12 
million students who are projected to drop out of high school will cost 
our economy more than $3 trillion.
  Here on this floor, we have been talking a lot lately about health 
care. Studies show that each class of dropouts costs states $17 billion 
in publically-subsidized health care over the course of their lives.
  In addition, individuals lacking more than a high school education 
make up close to the entirety of our Nation's prison population and 
account for 90 percent of incarceration spending.
  But it's about more than dollars and cents. It's about more than 
employment statistics. It's about people. It's about helping people 
achieve a better life. And that is what Job Corps does.
  Young people are our country's future. We have a responsibility to 
care for and educate them. Job Corps helps us do that.
  So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join me in 
recognizing Job Corps for the work it does for young people who need it 
most.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in 
celebrating the 45th anniversary of Job Corps. Since its inception in 
1964, Job Corps has educated over 3 million people, helping them secure 
their high school diplomas, improve literacy and find secure 
employment.
  Oregon has six Job Corps centers, one of which is in the Third 
Congressional District of Oregon. The Springdale Job Corps Center 
houses over 120 students and offers services to an additional fifty day 
students. The Center helps prepare students for careers in the 
culinary, administrative, security, automotive and health care fields, 
as well as assists students with their high school diplomas or 
equivalent. I am impressed by the energy, thoughtfulness and passion of 
those who work at the Springdale Center and the discipline and drive of 
the students they prepare.
  On the 45th anniversary of Job Corps founding, I would like to 
acknowledge the great work being done in Springdale, Oregon and across 
the country.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H. 
Con. Res. 163, a resolution expressing support for September 23 to be 
recognized as ``National Job Corps Day.''
  In my home district of San Bernardino, California, we have an Inland 
Empire Job Corps center that has helped thousands of young people 
improve the quality of their lives through career, technical, and 
academic training.
  These young people have been able to give back to their local 
communities by becoming productive members of society, and with 
countless hours of community service organized through Job Corps.
  In fact, over the last 45 years, nearly 3 million youth across the 
Nation have been provided a safe living and learning environment on Job 
Corp campuses nationwide.
  Job Corps is America's largest and most successful high school 
dropout recovery and youth empowerment program.
  75 percent of Job Corps graduates secure either permanent employment 
or enter into military service.
  It is only fitting that Congress moves to recognize this highly 
successful program--and continues to support it during these 
financially troubling times.
  I urge my colleagues to express their support for the Job Corps 
Program; and for the hardworking men and women who make a positive 
difference in the lives of America's young people.
  Vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 163.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 163, legislation commending Job Corps on their 
45th Anniversary and declaring September 23, 2009 as ``National Job 
Corps Day.''
  For 45 years, Job Corps has served our Nation's at-risk youth by 
providing desperately needed residential, academic and vocational 
services to help economically disadvantaged students secure a job and 
build critical life skills. As a co-chair of the Friends of Job Corps 
Caucus, I proudly support Job Corps and salute this unique program for 
helping nearly three million youth pursue their dreams of an 
independent life.
  One of our country's most significant challenges is helping America's 
forgotten youth. Thirty percent of our youth do not graduate from high 
school and 40 percent of those who do complete high school are 
unprepared for work or higher education. Taken together, this means 
that an astounding three out of five American youth leave traditional 
schools without the skills they need to succeed in work or post-
secondary education.
  The Job Corps model remains out-of-school youths' best chance for 
success. For over four decades, Job Corps has been considered the 
Nation's largest and most successful dropout recovery program. Each 
year, more than 60,000 youths choose to enroll in Job Corps to receive 
the support they need. The vast majority of students leave with a GED 
or high school diploma and over 85 percent of Job Corps graduates 
obtain jobs, enlist in the military or pursue higher education.
  In addition to helping students, Job Corps stimulates the economy 
through local economic activity. Job Corps funding is immediately 
invested in local economies across the nation through its 15,000 staff 
and the money local centers spend regionally on supplies and services. 
Every dollar invested in Job Corps stimulates $1.91 in local economic 
activity.
  I have seen first-hand the difference the Job Corps program has made 
in my own district through my work with the Quentin Burdick Job Corps 
Center in Minot, North Dakota. This center serves approximately 250 
students in the region, and has been one of the top performing centers 
in the country for over five years. I am proud of the work the Burdick 
Job Corps Center has done in my community, giving disadvantaged youths 
the skills they need to succeed in today's workforce--at no cost to 
them or their families.
  For all of these reasons, I want to commend Job Corp students and 
staff on their 45th anniversary, and urge my colleagues to join me 
today in supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res 163.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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