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"OPENING ReMARCs" ®
A weekly newsletter from Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League
From the Preseident's Desk:
Latest Battle in the War on Unemployment - The Urban Jobs Act
As an ongoing effort to address the rising rate of unemployment in urban communities (it now stands at 16.1% among African Americans and African American Youth unemployment has risen to 41.6%), the National Urban League has declared a “War on Unemployment”. In addition to developing the Jobs Rebuild America Plan, we are supporting the Urban Jobs Act of 2011. The Urban Jobs Act will create the Urban Jobs Program and provide desperately needed resources for the National Urban League to offer educational programs, employment and job readiness activities, and support services, in order to reduce the disproportionate incarceration of minority youth and to prepare eligible young adults for entry into the world of work.
By following the link below and contacting your Congressman/Congresswoman in the U.S. House of Representatives, you can urge them to co-sponsor the Urban Jobs Act of 2011 (H.R. 683), re-introduced in the 112th Congress by Representative Edolphus Towns (NY). They can join the following Representatives who have already co-sponsored the bill: Robert Brady(PA); Corrine Brown (FL); Steve Cohen (TN); John Conyers, Jr. (MI); Alcee Hastings (FL); Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Gregory Meeks (NY); Donald Payne (NJ); Charles Rangel (NY); Cedric Richmond (LA); Albio Sires (NJ); and Betty Sutton (OH).
Please join us by taking immediate action by clicking on the following link, signing the letter, and it will be sent directly to your Representative(s). Empower yourself, empower your community, and join us in the “War on Unemployment”! CLICK HERE!
To Be Equal:
Urban Jobs Act – A Powerful Weapon in the War on Unemployment
Last week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York enlisted in the war on urban unemployment with the introduction of the Urban Jobs Act. Gillibrand’s Urban Jobs Act is the Senate version of House bill, H.R. 683, which was introduced earlier this year by New York Representative Edolphus Towns. Both bills would provide federal grant funding to the National Urban League and other non-profit groups to offer job training, education and other support services for urban youth. The legislation will especially target those who have dropped out of high school or who have had some involvement with the criminal justice system.
The Labor Department’s April jobs report confirms the urgent need for this legislation. While overall unemployment is back up to 9 percent, African American unemployment has now risen to 16.1 percent. Even more disturbing, African American youth unemployment has now climbed to 41.6 percent, the highest rate of any group in the nation. In many urban communities, roughly one-third of minority youth are unemployed. For several years now, the National Urban League has been leading the call for targeted action to address the urban jobs crisis. Our 12-point Jobs Rebuild America plan lays out specific strategies to achieve that goal. But Washington has been largely silent, until now.
To read the full column, click here.
From The Road:
Urban League of Nebraska Summer Program Aims to Match Kids With Jobs
On the court, Nebraska teens are learning determination and teamwork. Off the court, the Urban League coaches students on how to attain a scholarship and how to find a job.
"These are kids with big dreams, who are energetic and enthusiastic," Urban League of Nebraska President and CEO Tom Warren told Action 3 News. "They aspire to achieve great things in life. "
Click here for more information.
In The News:
The Advocate: REDMAN: Morial knows municipal needs
Marc Morial on CNBC's "Power Lunch:"
The News Journal: Seeking solutions to bleak prospects for urban employment
The Democrat and Chronicle: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand supports jobs bill targeting at-risk youth
Coming Up:
This Saturday, May 14, I have the honor of delivering the commencement address at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors; I’m proud of your accomplishments and look forward to sharing your special day with you.
New England Jobs Tour
Next week, May 16, 17 and 18, I will be traveling throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, meeting with community members and business leaders, discussing the National Urban League's Jobs Rebuild America Plan for Putting Urban America Back to work. Keep up with the latest developments by following @marcmorial and @NatUrbanLeague on Twitter.
Empowerment Time:
Don’t forget to tune in to the Warren Ballentine Radio Show each Tuesday at 10:45 a.m., Eastern Time, when I join Warren for “Empowerment Time.” You can listen live or check your local listings by clicking here.
History In Your Hands
There is still time available to order your copy of “Empowering Communities. Changing Lives…100 Years of the National Urban League and Black America: 1910-2010,” a limited-edition coffee table book chronicling the Urban League Movement's first century.
Click here to order your copy now.
