[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         H.R. 3548, THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BETTY SUTTON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3548, the 
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. And, I want to commend my 
colleague Representative McDermott for his leadership on this issue.
  The financial and economic collapse last year put this country in the 
worst economic recession since the 1930s.
  And while we have seen signs that the economy is stabilizing, 
millions of Americans and their families continue to struggle.
  Struggle to pay their monthly rent or mortgage.
  Struggle to pay for their prescriptions.
  Struggle to pay for food and other of life's basic necessities. . . .
  H.R. 3548 will assist workers who have lost their jobs through no 
fault of their own and who continue to look for work in states with 
high unemployment.
  Ohio is one of those states . . . the current jobless rate in Ohio is 
10.8 percent.
  It is estimated that 11,642 Ohioans will run out of unemployment 
compensation by the end of the month and 64,545 will exhaust their 
benefits by the end of the year. H.R. 3548 will extend benefits for 
these workers whose safety net is running out.
  There are 5 million Americans who have been searching for work for 
longer than 6 months.
  And unfortunately, when it comes to getting back to work, prospects 
are dim. There are 6 unemployed workers for every available job in the 
U.S.
  These figures and the severity of the economic recession make it 
critical for Congress to extend unemployment benefits.
  We must help our workers, families, neighbors and communities weather 
these tough economic times.
  We must continue to provide the financial assistance needed to help 
cushion the impact of the recession.
  I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 3548.

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