[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S619-S620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BROWN of Ohio (for himself, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Udall of 
        New Mexico):
  S. 2108. A bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to 
provide for the establishment of Youth Corps programs and provide for 
wider dissemination of the Youth Corps model; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, today, only 54 percent of Americans 
ages 18 to 24 have jobs--the lowest employment rate for young people 
since this data was first collected in 1948. It is a job deficit that 
cripples our economy in both the short-term and long-term. But it's 
also a deficit we can close if we do the right thing and invest in 
programs that help young people find the jobs they--and our economy--
need. That is why I am introducing the Youth Corps Act of 2012.
  The Youth Corps Act of 2012 would establish a competitive grant 
program in the Workforce Investment Act to expand the Youth Corps 
program across the Nation.
  The Youth Corps is a direct descendent of President Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps, his most successful and 
popular New Deal program aimed at helping young men find employment 
during the Great Depression.
  From 1933 to 1942, more than 3 million young men served in the 
Civilian

[[Page S620]]

Conservation Corps dramatically improving the Nation's public land, 
while also receiving food, housing, education, and a small stipend. 
They helped plant nearly 3 billion trees to reforest the nation, 
constructed more than 800 parks nationwide, and built a network of 
public roadways in remote areas. In Ohio, their legacy persists across 
our State in organizations like the Muskingum Conservancy Watershed 
District, which provides the system that protects thousands of acres of 
land from flooding.
  Today, more than 30,000 young men and women participate annually in 
the Youth Corps program in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. 
Some Corps members improve and preserve public lands and national 
parks, while others work with students in our Nation's public schools. 
Finally, some members provide disaster preparation and recovery 
services to underresourced communities.
  The Youth Corps Act of 2012 would provide more young adults with the 
opportunity to experience Youth Corps, while ensuring a steady source 
of funding for these programs. Currently, funding for Youth Corps 
programs comes from a wide variety of sources, forcing many Corps to 
operate with uncertainty. By investing in Youth Corps, we are investing 
in our Nation's future teachers and principals, doctors and lawyers.
  The men and women who participate in Youth Corps are selfless, 
dedicated, and passionate people. While some may have faced challenges 
during their childhood or struggled in school, all of them are 
interested in bridging the gap between education and opportunity that 
too often plagues our communities. With the guidance of an adult 
community leader, a modest stipend, and support services like education 
and career preparation, participants are able to gain valuable life and 
career skills.
  Ohio is home to three Youth Corps programs: the WSOS Quilter 
Conservation Corps, City Year Cleveland, and City Year Columbus. 
Members of these Corps provide a great public service to the citizens 
of Ohio--a legacy like that of the CCC which will persist for 
generations.
  The WSOS Quilter Conservation Corps members serve as Benefit and Tax 
Counselors, helping low-income individuals file their State and Federal 
taxes, apply for benefits like health care coverage, home energy 
assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps.
  Members of City Year Cleveland and City Year Columbus serve as 
mentors and educators in our most challenged schools.
  My daughter, Elizabeth, was a City Year Corps Member in Philadelphia, 
and my other daughter, Caitlin, was a member of City Year in 
Providence.
  City Year is a national model on how each of us can serve our Nation. 
For this reason, we must invest more in these vital programs.
  Each of these programs improves our state while providing skills to 
our Nation's future leaders. And for this reason, we must invest more 
in these important programs.
  That is why I am proud to introduce the Youth Corps Act of 2012. By 
empowering our young people to serve their communities, we can help 
provide them with the skills they need to find jobs, strengthen our 
economy, and enrich our communities.
                                 ______