[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WE MUST PASS A JOBS BILL

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I think 
it is important to note the change in the economy as we move forward. 
But the challenge to us as Members of Congress, even as we reflect on 
the enormous impact the investment dollars have had, last year in 
January of 2009 we had lost 779,000 jobs. In January of 2010, only 
22,000 jobs were lost and the economy is percolating. But 22,000 is 
unacceptable.
  So we must pass a jobs bill now. But we must also be concerned not 
only for the recently unemployed, for the white collar workers, but we 
have to be concerned about the young workers, 18 to 30. We have to be 
concerned about the chronically unemployed, or the ex-felon who has 
paid his or her dues, has a family, and other than getting work, they 
would be dependent on a government handout. They don't want that.
  So when we talk about jobs, we have to worry about seniors, and 
working families, and people who have been unemployed for a long period 
of time. We have got to put a job in their hand. And that is what I 
want to do, work to get jobs for the American people and the 18th 
Congressional District.

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