12592 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 21, 1992 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS FUNDING FOR JOB TRAINING 2.8%, federal allotments to the state have re­ One of the most recent examples of this is PARTNERSIDP ACT PROGRAMS mained steady or have gone down over the JTGO's participation in the Gateway Pro­ past five years. This has meant that job gram created by the Omaha Housing Author­ training administrators in the Nebraska De­ ity to create job opportunities for the unem­ HON. PETER HOAGLAND partment of Labor and the three Service De­ ployed and underemployed public housing OF NEBRASKA livery Areas in the state have had to provide residents in Omaha. The Omaha Housing Au­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the same level of services with less money. thority, by combining JTPA funds, Eco­ Thursday, May 21, 1992 In fact, administrators in my state have told nomic Development Administration grants me that while their funds are dwindling they and other funds and in cooperation with Met­ Mr. HOAGLAND. Mr. Speaker, as a result of must do more and more work to meet tough­ ropolitan Community College and the consultation with Governor Nelson, Nebraska er federal requirements under the program. Omaha business community has organized a Labor Commissioner Dan Dolan and Job These include more thorough determinations shop to make doors, windows and window Training of Greater Omaha Director Ola An­ of eligibility of individuals entering the pro­ screens for public housing units. The shop derson, visits with Omaha community leaders grams such as verifying selective service en­ will also produce doors, windows and screen rollment. At the state level, because of a re­ and visits to job training sites in Omaha, I am products for sale to public housing authori­ duction in funding this year, the Job Train­ ties across the country. Shop employees, all pressing for increased funding for the Federal ing of Greater Nebraska office in Lincoln is of whom live in public housing, are gaining Job Training Partnership Act [JTPA] programs. in a reduction-in-force mode, recently laying valuable design, carpentry and management I am asking that the following statement I off three administrative personnel. skills that they can use to seek employment. made before the Appropriations Subcommittee The Basic problem is that unemployment Job Training of Greater Omaha has a con­ Education, Labor and Health and Human figures do not reflect the true need and de­ tract with the Housing Authority to help Services be printed in the CONGRSSIONAL mand for job training programs, especially provide on-the-job training services to em­ RECORD because adequate JTPA Program in Nebraska and Omaha. State officials have ployees. JTGO is providing up to 50 percent estimated that as many as 36% of Nebras­ funding is such an important asset to the of the salaries of the workers while they kans were underemployed in 1990. These are learn the skills they need for future long­ Omaha community. people not reflected in employment data. term employment. This is an excellent ex­ One of the projects I highlighted is the Gate­ Many people have given up searching for jobs ample of a project that uses federal funds in way Program in Omaha, a project that puts because they lack the necessary skills for combination with local resources to help public housing residents to work in positive employment. The underemployed are those people in distressed areas get out of the spi­ ways. Projects like this ·can benefit urban who work two jobs, pat-time at low wages ral of despair and defeat. This, quite frankly, areas and in the aftermath of the Los Angeles just to provide food and shelter for their the kind of program that can help prevent riots should be promoted. families. They do not have adequate health desperate incidents like those we saw in Los care if they have any at all. These people are Angeles recently. The statement also points out that even non-existent as far as the federal govern­ though Nebraska has a low unemployment While the Gateway Program is a program ment is concerned but they need job training for the entire community, JTPA is really the rate on paper, it is still in serious need of an to get full-time, good-paying jobs. story of individual success. A great example effective job training development program. Worker dislocation has also produced in­ creased demand for job training programs in of that is Monique Williams, who received STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN PETER the National Association of Counties (NACO) HOAGLAND Omaha even though funding for this pro­ gram, Title III of the Job Training Partner­ JTPA Alumni award. Monique was an exam­ I want to express my appreciation for the ship Act, in the current program year which ple of a JTPA success. Dependent on the so­ opportunity to come before you today. I rep­ ends June 30, ran out in January. Assistance cial services system, she wanted out of her resent the second Congressional District of for dislocated workers is an increasing need situation and needed help. In 1990, Monique Nebraska which currently encompasses five in Omaha. Many large companies such as was an unemployed mother of two and an counties along the Missouri River in eastern Enron Corporation, AT&T and US West have Aid for Families with Dependent Childen re­ Nebraska, including the city of Omaha. moved facilities and jobs, out of the area CiP.ient. She was referred to Job Training of I am here today to urge this subcommit­ causing a loss of an estimated Sl billion in Greater Omaha in January 1990 by the Ne­ tee's support for funding for Job Training wages to the Omaha economy since 1984. braska Department of Social Sevices. Job Partnership Act programs above the level of Just two weeks ago, Seagate Technology, In­ Training of Greater Omaha, _after determin­ the President's request. As you know, the corporated, a major producer of computer ing she had minimal marketable skills, re­ President's request is $4.1 billion for JTPA in equipment world-wide, announced that it ferred her to Omaha SER Jobs for Progress, fiscal year 1993, $100 million below last year's was shutting down its facility in Omaha, a Hispanic community-based organization, appropriation. Considering the enormous putting 435 people out of work. At one time, to learn an occupational skill. During her benefits JTPA programs have in commu­ this plant employed 900 people. training, JTGO assisted with child care, nities all over the country, including my dis­ Offutt Air Force Base, located just south of transportation and needs-based payments. trict in Nebraska, it is essential that Con­ the city in Sarpy County, is currently down­ Monique successfully completed a twelve­ gress provide adequate funding so that JTPA sizing its force substantially. Over 160, civil­ week clerical course in April of that year can fulfill its mandate of helping the un­ ian personnel are losing their jobs. Most of with high recommendations from staff. trained and the undertrained find meaning­ these people will need help in learning new On April 17, JTGO and Omaha SER placed ful employment. I believe the President's re­ skills, finding new employment, preparing Monique in a job at the North Branch YMCA ductions for fiscal year 1993 come at a very resumes, filling out job applications, and as a full-time secretary. Monique is a model inopportune time when most of the country providing simple encouragement at a time employee and recently received a raise and a is in a recession. This is a shortsighted ap­ when they need it most. At a recent job fair promotion to Office Manager. She is no proach. at Offutt, Job Training of Greater Omaha longer receiving welfare payments, food Let me describe to you the conditions in (JTGO) provided personnel with job market stamps or child care assistance. Monique has my state of Nebraska and specifically in my information in Omaha as well as the services accomplished her goals of getting off the district, which encompasses Omaha, to high­ they can provide to help them in their job welfare system and into the community of light the tremendous need for JTPA pro­ search. the employed. Her determination and perse­ grams. Even though Nebraska receives a very verance kept her focused on her goals, but Reduced funding for Job Training Partner­ small share of JTP A funds compared to the without Job Training of Greater Omaha and ship Act programs could have a serious effect rest of the country, it continues to provide the federal JTPA program there to help, she on the Omaha metropolitan area. The major­ employment services on par with any other may not have had such an opportunity. ity of federal grants to states under this pro­ state. This is especially true in Omaha, Much of the success of the job training pro­ gram are based on a state's unemployment where Job Training of Greater Omaha has es­ gram in Omaha is due to the partnership be­ data. Because the state of Nebraska has a tablished a strong and productive partner­ tween the business community and the pub­ relatively low unemployment rate, now at ship with the community. lic sector, especially when public funds have •This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. May 21, 1992 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 12593 diminished. The Greater Omaha Private In­ build a large two story home on the property Perot is giving us "Perotstroika".