[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15346-15347]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ECONOMIC RECOVERY

  Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, as I address this Chamber today, our 
country remains in the grips of the worst economic disaster since the 
Great Depression. We have all felt its devastating effects. In the last 
half century, it has never been harder for working Americans to make 
ends meet. But finally we are beginning to see indications that the 
worst may be behind us. The economy is still shedding jobs but at a 
slower rate. Business is starting to pick up again for some--not all 
but for some. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has started to 
take hold, and at long last some people are beginning to feel more 
hopeful.
  But as the tide rises for some communities, others continue to slip 
further and further behind. In a troubling new report, the unemployment 
rate among African Americans has risen to 14.9 percent--up 6 points 
since 2007. Everyone is hurting, but this is an alarming sign that some 
groups are still hurting more than others. While one in five White 
teens is without a job, two in five African-American teens are 
unemployed, along with one in three Hispanic teens. The overall share 
of African Americans with jobs has reached its lowest point since 1986.
  As we begin to emerge from the worst of this economic crisis, we must 
not forget that there is still a long way to go for many Americans. In 
our rush to get this economy back on track, we need to make sure we 
don't leave certain communities behind. This means increasing the 
amount of capital available to employers, helping put Americans back to 
work, and protecting small businesses.
  As a former banker who worked hard to secure loans for small 
businesses, I have a deep understanding of the role these companies 
play in creating jobs and helping the economy to grow.
  I know how crucial it is to provide immediate relief, as well as 
lasting support. That is why I applaud President Obama's recent call to 
speed up the disbursal of stimulus funds. This would save or create 
roughly 600,000 jobs in the next 3 months alone.
  This will not be an easy task, but it is necessary to strengthen 
America's small business, put people back to work, and restore economic 
security. But as we rush to provide aid to the American people, we need 
to make sure the stimulus funds are targeted effectively. That is why 
oversight is critical.
  As billions of dollars flow from the Federal Government to the State 
treasuries, transparency will help keep State and Federal officials 
accountable for every dollar spent in the name of economic recovery.
  If done right, this will ensure that everyone can share in the 
promise and prosperity of a revitalized economy. That is why I 
introduced S. 1064, a bill that will set aside small amounts of 
stimulus money to pay for regulation and oversight.
  These costs are currently unfunded, leaving the American people with 
only vague assurances that their money will be used effectively.
  Mr. President, this is simply not good enough. We need to protect the 
interests of the American taxpayers and ensure that every dollar can be 
tracked.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in the fight for accountability. 
I thank my good friends, Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, 
and Senator McCaskill for signing on to cosponsor this bill.
  As the economy begins to improve for some Americans, let's make sure 
millions of others are not left behind.
  We need to lift the least fortunate among us and ensure every 
American has an equal chance to benefit from our continued economic 
recovery.
  As one of our former distinguished Vice Presidents, Hubert Humphrey, 
famously said:

       The moral test of government is how that government treats 
     those who are in the dawn

[[Page 15347]]

     of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, 
     the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the 
     sick, the needy, and the handicapped.

  It is time to renew our commitment to the communities that are 
hurting the most, and as we work to increase transparency and speed up 
the responsible use of the stimulus funds, we need to make sure no one 
is left behind.
  Mr. President, again, we need to make sure no one is left behind.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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