February 3, 1999

Mr. President, today I recognize Hartford, Connecticut's selection as a site for a Job Corps Center. The Department of Labor recently announced that Connecticut's capital city was one of four locations selected nationwide. Many years of planning support of leaders in government, business, education and job training. The selection is testimony to the commitment of the Hartford community to our most disadvantaged young people, and that is why I endorsed the city's strong proposal.

In 1995, the Department of Labor had requested proposals for Job Corps Center sites and Hartford's joint application with the city of Bloomfield was regarded highly. Unfortunately, the funding for proposed new Centers was rescinded in the middle of the review process and no new Job Corps Centers were selected. But Hartford, Connecticut residents did not give up and the Department of Labor vowed to honor its commitment to new Centers in the future.

Hartford, Connecticut is a thriving business and cultural center, headquarters to major insurance and financial centers and home to renown theater and art museums. It is situated on the banks of the historic Connecticut River which was heralded as an American Heritage River last year. Hartford is now embarking on a major waterfront residential, recreational and workplace development plan.

The city's overall unemployment rate is at 2.9 percent, but the unemployment rate for youth ages 16-19 is much higher. Despite Connecticut's economic recovery, too many young people are being left out of a job market that demands high-level skills. Hartford has many of the problems facing other large cities, including abandoned industrial sites, crumbling schools and double-digit highschool dropout rates. At one Hartford high school, the dropout rate was more than 50 percent last year. That statistic is unacceptable and why I support the need for a Job Corp Center in Hartford. It will make a critical difference in the lives of so many at-risk youth.

Job Corps has been providing education and training for disadvantaged youth for more than 34 years. The program is so successful because it is a voluntary year-round program offering education, training and support services, including meals, child care and counseling. It maintains a zero tolerance for drugs and violence.

Hartford is poised to undergo an economic revitalization and the Job Corps Center is a true investment in our most under-served youth. The city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut have committed $4 million toward the total development cost of $11.5 million and the Hartford Housing authority is contributing the site, valued at $420,000. The Center will be located on 12 acres in the Charter Oak Business Park being developed by the Housing Authority on the site of the former Charter Oak Terrace public housing project.

When completed in 2000, the Hartford center will serve more than 200 non-residential students each year in basic education and vocational training programs and provide on-site child care. Many organizations have pledged resources to ensure the success of the Center and most important of all, employers stand ready to hire young people who complete the Job Corps program.

Mr. President, I congratulate the City of Hartford and I commend the Department of Labor for their selection.