Lee Applauds White House Summer Jobs+ Program
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on President Obama’s announcement of the Summer Jobs+ program, a joint initiative that challenges business leaders and communities to provide summer jobs for America’s youth:
“As a longtime advocate for summer jobs and employment opportunities for our youth, I applaud the White House for launching Summer Jobs+. This initiative is a call to action for businesses, non-profits, and government to work together to provide pathways to employment for low-income youth in the summer of 2012. Despite the inaction of House Republican leadership, I am grateful that President Obama is providing leadership to create employment opportunities for America’s youth. We can’t wait.
“Young people today face the highest rates of unemployment since World War II. This country is in dire need of a robust effort to provide youth direct employment in the public sector and provide hiring incentives to hiring organizations. The future of the United States lies within the hands of our youth and we cannot afford to lose this generation of workers.
“This summer, I held a ‘Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair’ and I spoke one-on-one with local youth looking for jobs. I hope that every employer in the 9th District will consider taking part in the White House Summer Jobs+ program and offer talented young people in our communities the opportunities, training, and experience they need to kick start successful careers and build their American Dream.”
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