[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14459]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HELP THE UNEMPLOYED AND THE WORKING FAMILIES IN AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to 
help the unemployed and the working families in America.
  Last week we did the seemingly impossible. We helped millions of 
Americans that were no longer able to put food on the table because 
through no fault of their own, their company had to let them go. We 
sent a message that this Congress, and this President, would not leave 
them behind on our road to recovery.
  Last month, over 8,300 jobs were added in the private sector in NYC 
alone. That's pretty significant, but we can do better.
  While the unemployment rate is steadily dropping across the country, 
unemployment within minority communities is, at best, staying the same, 
at nearly double the rate. That's pretty significant too.
  I have said this time and time again--but small business will drive 
our economy towards recovery. Our colleagues in the Senate are 
currently working on efforts to assist small businesses across the 
nation. They are helping to ensure that small businesses will have 
access to something desperately needed--credit. I support the work that 
the Senate is doing and hope that when this proposal returns to the 
House for a vote, my colleagues here will join me in support.
  Let's not forget our working families--in particular, in communities 
of color. As our country moves forward, let's move forward together. 
Let's not leave anyone behind.

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