House Passes Moran Legislation To Recognize Job Corps On 45th Anniversary

Press Release

House Passes Moran Legislation To Recognize Job Corps On 45th Anniversary

The House of Representatives this week passed legislation Congressman Jerry Moran authored to designate September 23, 2009, as "National Job Corps Day" in honor of the 45th anniversary of the program. Fellow co-chair of the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), worked closely with Moran on the legislation to recognize Job Corps for the work it does for many disadvantaged young people in the United States.

Job Corps is a residential job training and academic program for disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16-24. It serves about 60,000 youth each year at more than 120 centers in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. About 75 percent of participants find employment, enlist in the military, or enroll in post-secondary education in the first three months after completing Job Corps.

A series of events were held on Capitol Hill on September 23, 2009, to commemorate Job Corps' 45th anniversary. Approximately 60 congressional offices hosted Job Corps students for a one-day internship. Moran participated by hosting Tanisha Walker of Topeka, a 24-year old student at Flint Hills Job Corps in Manhattan.

"We have a responsibility to care for and educate young people, and Job Corps helps do that," Moran said. "Job Corps recognizes the potential in each individual and gives them the opportunity to improve their education and learn professional skills. I was grateful Tanisha could spend time in my office learning firsthand about government. Job Corps should be fully recognized for its tremendous success with our youth."

"Having the opportunity to intern in Congressman Moran's Washington, D.C., office was amazing," said Tanisha Walker. "I would like to say thank you to him and his staff for taking time out of their day to talk to me and answer my questions. This was an awesome experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

At Job Corps centers across the country, celebrations were held to mark the 45th anniversary of the program, including at Flint Hills Job Corps in Manhattan. The Flint Hills Job Corps celebration coincided with a student graduation and included a community open house. The community was invited to the center for a barbecue lunch, to take tours of the single-parent program and to visit student display tables. Display tables were set up by each professional trade showcasing the skills learned in the program.

"Having a student graduation to kick-off our 45th anniversary celebration really demonstrated what Job Corps is all about, which is educating young people and transitioning them into a career," said Tauna Spain, Business Community Liaison for Flint Hills Job Corps Center. "Job Corps continues to prove its success to our nation every year with statistical information. To us here at Flint Hills, those numbers equate to individual lives that have been changed through the opportunities Job Corps provides."

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