Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 08, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 754 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 5006.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to show my support for the Community Services Block Grant, CSBG. CSBG funds the anti-poverty community action agencies and family self-sufficiency efforts of a nationwide network of 1,100 community agencies. These organizations create, coordinate, and deliver comprehensive programs and services to as many as 27 percent of all people living in poverty in the United States.

Total Action Against Poverty is a community action agency whose service area includes Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, which I represent. This agency offers more than 31 programs in housing, education, employment, training, rehabilitation, community development, neighborhood organization, child care, and family development.

The Community Services Block Grant provides flexible funding that enables community action agencies to pursue comprehensive, innovative approaches to help low-income Americans achieve self-sufficiency.

The demand for community action agencies' services among impoverished individuals and families has not abated and, in fact, continues to grow.

Demand for core emergency CAA services, including food banks, clothing, emergency shelter, and utility assistance, continues to increase dramatically.

One of Total Action Against Poverty's programs offers a diverse array of education and training programs for low-income, unemployed, and underemployed adults residing in the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Planning District. The centerpiece of this initiative is the Center for Employment Training, CET, which provides individualized training tailored to enhance competitiveness in the local workforce. Local businesses help develop training and curricula, and facilitate the hiring of CET graduates.

I support the work and the difference that this agency, one of many like it across the U.S., is doing to make a difference in my district. I encourage my colleagues to support the Community Service Block Grant in the Labor-HHS bill.