I am in complete agreement with this bill. This is the type of governmental activity for which I am willing to have my tax dollars spent. I am a firm believer in the conservation of our natural resources. In my many years of work in the social welfare field I have dealt with the ills of the unemployed. Relating these two factors could be one of the most constructive things that our Government could undertake. Sincerely, HERBERT C. BERGSTROM, PREPARED STATEMENT OF FERN M. COLBORN, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AND URBAN RENEWAL, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF SETTLEMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS Thank you for asking me to comment on S. 2958 submitted by Senator Nelson. This is an excellent piece of legislation and one that is very badly needed in this country. I like the simplicity of the bill and in particular the fact that it is designed to put unemployed men to work without great fanfare that would delay the program. Another advantage that it has is that it would make it possible for work to be done in rural areas, so that men need not crowd into the urban areas in search of employment. This has a great advantage, since seeking jobs is one of the major reasons that people are moving from rural to urban areas. I am pleased, too, to note that the bill does provide for the unemployed living in urban areas, and that much can be done to improve parks, recreation, and highways in those areas. We have great need in this country for public works that provide jobs for the unskilled and persons who do not have the ability to learn a skilled occupation. This not only provides for that group, but also provides for those currently unskilled who have the ability to train for skilled work. The emphasis on employed adults is an excellent expansion of the Economic Opportunities Act and it would be my hope that this legislation could be enacted as rapidly as possible. I would like finally to comment on the title of the bill, as we need to conserve both the human and natural resources of this Nation, and the plan outlined in the bill would make it possible for each to supplement the other in a most useful and advantageous way for the country. |