[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               RECOGNIZING JOB CORPS' 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Job Corps' 50-year anniversary. Born in 1965, Job Corps was designed as 
a collaboration between public agencies and private sector businesses 
and employers to help poor and unemployed young people gain the 
credentials and employment skills to build careers. Fifty years later, 
more than 3 million jobless and undereducated youth, employers and 
local communities have benefitted from this successful model--a 
comprehensive residential, academic and career preparation program. 
Each year, more than 50,000 at-risk youth obtain the employment and 
life skills necessary to start a career. More than 80 percent of Job 
Corps graduates obtain jobs, enroll in higher education, or enter the 
military.
   Furthermore, Job Corps facilities play an important role in their 
local communities. With 125 campuses across America, Job Corps 
represents a base of economic activity in American communities that is 
particularly important during challenging economic times. For example, 
228 local jobs are directly or indirectly supported by the average Job 
Corps campus each year, and $1.91 in local economic activity is 
generated by each dollar invested in Job Corps. The Pine Knot Job Corps 
in McCreary County, Kentucky and the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center 
in Floyd County, Kentucky are two successful Job Corps facilities in my 
district that have made important contributions to their communities.
   Each year, more than 50,000 high school dropouts, homeless young 
adults, young parents, students with learning disabilities, and youth 
aging out of the foster care system enroll in Job Corps because it 
provides everything they need to start successful careers and become 
financially independent. Job Corps' open-entry, open-exit model allows 
dedicated academic and vocational professionals to create self-paced 
work plans for youth. Counselors, academic and vocational instructors, 
and residential advisors work with students 24 hours a day, 7 days a 
week, not only on career pursuits but also on life skills, such as 
financial literacy and responsible citizenship.
   I thank Job Corps for its dedication to changing the lives of 
America's at-risk, jobless and disenfranchised youth. Job Corps remains 
a community-changing program that affects thousands across the United 
States. Job Corps continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs 
of our youth, businesses and economic conditions and I appreciate their 
continued dedication.

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