Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
I am glad to appear before you today in support of our original appropriation request for the poverty program of $947.5 million.
As you know, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended a cut of $197,500,000 in this appropriation. If Congress upholds this cut, we will have to say “No” to:
- at least 70,000 of the 400,000 young men and women who could get extra training and education they need to help themselves get a better job under Title I,
- at least 50 communities which will have already done all the planning and budgeting to carry out local poverty programs,
- at least 30,000 heads of families now living on public assistance who anxiously want a job or the education and training they need to get a job.
We have the manpower, we have the organizations, we have the plans and specific projects to open up new opportunities for all these people this year, but if Congress cuts the appropriation we will have to slam the door on them.
Last February we planned on getting this program under way September 1. But at that time we had no idea that the American people would respond so eagerly to our Economic Opportunity program. Here are some facts which will let you gauge this response:
- More than 10,000 teachers and counselors have inquired about working in Job Corps education and training centers.
- States and cities have already requested 1,500 VISTA Volunteers, despite virtually no publicity on this program.
- We have had more than 100 spontaneous requests for Job Corps centers from Governors, mayors, city councils, chambers of commerce, local businessmen, and citizens’ organizations.
- More than 125 cities and towns have already submitted community action requests. In addition, literally hundreds of rural counties and villages and 16 Indian reservations are at work today developing community action programs.
- Fifteen specific contract proposals for Job Corps centers have been received from States, universities, and private businesses. These applications alone would put 15,000 enrollees in training by the end of the fiscal year.
These facts show that the American people want this program now. This program to provide opportunities has struck a resonant chord in the hearts of Americans today. And they are willing to go out and work to overcome poverty problems which six or eight months ago they might not actually have been aware of. The big danger -- the risk -- in cutting the appropriation this year is that this spontaneous enthusiasm will be dampened.
Suppose the Job Corps is cut $40 million. This means that 8,000 boys and girls will continue to stand on street corners for another year. This means they will have to wait another year to get a chance to become gainfully employed, self-respecting Americans. We have the capacity, the people, and the organization and the will to give 8,000 young men and women a new opportunity this year -- unless Congress makes us say “No.”
Suppose the Work-Training and Work-Study Programs are cut 20 percent. This means that this year more than 60,000 young men and women would have to drop out of high school or college because they couldn’t get a part-time job, or that those who have already dropped out will stand with idle hands instead of being employed and trained on jobs needed right in their own communities. The colleges, the communities, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Education are all ready to give these 60,000 people a job this year -- unless Congress makes us say “No.”
Supposing Congress cuts the Community Action Program S60 million. This means that about 50 cities and towns which have the plans today to attack poverty through local efforts and local organizations will have to postpone action until next year. These cities and towns are ready to move now -- unless Congress makes us say “No.”
Suppose the Work-Experience Program is cut $30 million. This means that more than 45,000 heads of families now living on public assistance will not get a chance to get a job or to get the education and training they need in order to become self-supporting and raise a family of good citizens. We can move this year to help these 45,000 families get off the relief rolls and become taxpayers -- unless Congress makes us say “No.”
In short, the States are ready, the cities are ready, the towns and villages are ready, the Federal Government is ready, and Americans are ready. All are ready to go to work now to implement the program which Congress has authorized. I hope that Congress will also be ready to make good on its promises to the poor people of the United States when it authorized $947,500,000 just five weeks ago, and strenuously urge you to recommend our full appropriation request.
