On the recordMarch 4, 2010
Mr. Speaker, today, Congress passed a jobs bill. It was a small jobs bill, but it was a start. This country needs to work on jobs. This week, I introduced an Urban Sustainability Act to direct $10 billion of TARP money into cities with populations of 600,000 or more and with unemployment rates of 10 percent or more to put in public works projects and job training. It is important that we realize that urban America is suffering and suffering in a disproportionate way, and it is important that they get paid particular emphasis. I encourage other cosponsors--we have 9 or 10 already--to join with me, and I encourage the administration and the leadership to look at urban cities and the need for job training programs and public works programs. Last week, Senator Bernie Sanders and I introduced a bill on solar for 10 billion solar photovoltaic panels on roofs and 10 billion gallons of solar water. We need to invest in solar to protect our country, our mother Earth and our resources so that we don't have as many soldiers protecting lines of transportation that are there to bring in oil from the Middle East. I urge the strong consideration and adoption of that bill. Solar is the future, and it can protect our Nation and our mother Earth. ____________________





