[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     BUILDING ON WELFARE REFORM ACT

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, it has become clear that 
welfare programs created in the 1960s to be safety nets became spider 
webs by the 1990s. The old welfare system provided monetary assistance 
but did not do enough to provide job training, education, and other 
paths towards self-sufficiency. The welfare reforms of 1996 changed the 
old system and gave States more freedom to attempt new and innovative 
approaches to move people from welfare to work.
  This legislation expired last year, and Congress must look to enhance 
the successes of the 1996 law. I am pleased today to join Senator 
Carper in cosponsoring the Building on Welfare Reform Act--a bill that 
will continue to help people move from welfare to work.
  During my time as Governor, Nebraska began programs like Employment 
First and Families First that provided much-needed assistance to low-
income families and helped them find a way to leave the cycle of 
welfare dependency. The average time a family spent on assistance fell 
nearly two-thirds and Nebraska taxpayers saved $14 million.
  The best path to self-sufficiency is work. This bill increases the 
percentage of welfare recipients who must work from 50 to 70 over the 
next 5 years. The bill also requires a 32-hour workweek from able 
welfare recipients. States will receive credit for moving people from 
welfare to work, not just off welfare. This will encourage States to 
solve problems that present an obstacle to meaningful work and lasting 
independence from public assistance programs.
  Since 1996, welfare reform has been successful, not just because it 
requires work but also because it provides the resources to families to 
meet the work requirements. Our welfare reform proposal provides 
funding for childcare, transitional jobs, and public-private 
educational partnerships that will allow welfare recipients to gain the 
skills they need to advance in the workplace and become independent.
  Because a strong family is essential to breaking the cycle of 
poverty, our welfare reform proposal encourages families to stay 
together and provides assistance to families who do. Another provision 
provides additional funds to prevent teen pregnancy with a bonus to 
States that meet this goal.
  Given flexibility and resources, States have worked their own magic 
since the welfare program was revamped, and I will continue to support 
this approach as we embark on the next generation of welfare reform.


                           TRIBUTE TO INTERNS

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I extend my appreciation to my 
summer 2003 class of interns: Anne Wilzbacher, Joanna Busch, Angela 
Wilson, Cliff Sullivan, Nick Herbold, Alex Nelson, Omar Ul Haq, Theresa 
Reilly, Derek Wulf, Kalsoom Lakhani, Dave Townsend, Haley Wallace, Josh 
Craft, Ermira Babamusta, Becca North, Abby Smith, Michael Kuehner, 
Charles Monterio and Carolyn Timberlake. Each of them has been a 
tremendous assistance to me and to the people of Iowa over the past 
several months, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
  Since I was first elected into the Senate in 1984, my office has 
offered internships to young Iowans and other interested students. 
Through their work in the Senate, our interns have not only seen the 
legislative process, but also personally contributed to our Nation's 
democracy.
  It is with much appreciation that I recognize Anne, Joanna, Angela, 
Cliff, Nick, Alex, Omar, Theresa Derek, Kalsoom, Dave, Haley, Josh, 
Ermira, Becca, Abby, Michael, Charles and Carolyn for their hard work 
this summer. It has been a delight to watch them take on their 
assignments with enthusiasm and hard work. I am very proud to have 
worked with each of them. I hope they take from their summer a sense of 
pride in what they've been able to accomplish and an increased interest 
in public service and our democratic system and process.

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