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Press Release

Cuellar to Co-Chair Job Corps Caucus

Washington D.C., December 9, 2010 | Lesley Lopez ((202) 225- 1640)

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX 28) has been named the Democratic co-chair or the Friends of the Job Corps Congressional Caucus for the 112th Congress.

There is a Job Corps center in Congressman Cuellar’s district, in Laredo, Texas and before redistricting, the San Marcos Job Corps office was also in the 28th congressional district. Congressman Cuellar has also employed Job Corps interns in his congressional offices.

For 45 years, Job Corps has been our nation’s premier dropout recovery program. Job Corps has helped over 2 million disadvantaged youth complete their high school education and transition into employment or higher education.

The mission of the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus is to heighten the awareness and appreciation for Job Corps among policymakers, Administration decision-makers and the broader public. In addition, the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus will draw attention to the role Job Corps plays in the socio-economic well-being of local communities and the nation.

"It is an honor to be chosen to lead the Friends of Job Corp Congressional Caucus, an organization I have supported for quite some time," said Congressman Cuellar. "Empowering our nation’s youth to achieve their educational goals has been a longstanding priority of mine and I look forward to the opportunities to further this aim in the co-chairman position."　

The goals and objectives of the Caucus include:

  • Education through congressional briefings on current and emerging Job Corps issues;  
  • Communication by initiating a productive dialogue about the quality of services Job Corps provides to thousands of at-risk youth each year;
  • Coordination by facilitating communication between Members, employers, youth service providers, Department of Labor representatives, and other private sector leaders that can strengthen Job Corps’ impact on America’s youth; and
  • Enhancement
  • of legislative efforts towards protecting and strengthening Job Corps. 　

Today, the Job Corps model implemented at 122 centers across the nation remains out-of-school youths’ best chance for success. In a review of several comparable youth programs, Job Corps was found to have the greatest impact on participants' educational achievement and earnings. In recent program years, over 90 percent of Job Corps graduates have entered employment, higher education, or the military upon completion of the program.

 

Job Corps’ consistent success is principally attributable to its focus on results and accountability and its responsiveness to the changing needs of both the economy and its students. As the nation navigates the shifting contours of our economy, Job Corps is poised to do its part to help ensure the shape of our economic future is positive. The Job Corps community is already gearing up to make a greater impact in two of the fastest growing sectors of our economy that are demanding new workers: the health care sector, and the green sector.

 

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Oversight & Government Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition