[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PASS THE EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

  (Ms. TSONGAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from many struggling families 
in Massachusetts who simply don't know how they will make ends meet if 
Congress does not pass an extension of unemployment benefits before 
January 1.
  From Lowell: I am a 58-year-old man that has been unemployed for 2 
years and 4 months. Finding a job these days is just about impossible. 
I am writing to you to beg you to please sign on to the unemployment 
extension bill.
  From Westford: I have been unemployed since January of 2010. I look 
for a job every waking hour. Cutting unemployment to millions of needy 
families at this time makes no sense.
  From Haverhill: If my unemployment ends, I will be unable to make my 
mortgage payments. Then my home will go into foreclosure and my 
neighbors' home values will be depreciated. This is truly a ripple 
effect. Please don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work to pass this 
desperately needed extension.

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