KENNEDY AND ENZI PUT FORTH JOB TRAINING PLAN FOR VICTIMS OF KATRINA PART OF COMPREHENSIVE BIPARTISAN RELIEF PACKAGE

Washington, DC: Today Senators Edward Kennedy and Mike Enzi offered the second part of their comprehensive Katrina relief package and introduced a bill that will help workers displaced by the disaster get back to work and rebuild their lives and communities. This bill, called the “Hurricane Katrina Employment and Training Assistance Act” expands employment and job training assistance authorized under the “Workforce Investment Act,” to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The goal is to help rebuild the local economy and give benefits to local workers through local businesses. “A group of us visited the Gulf Coast area last Friday and saw firsthand the immensity of the devastation. We know these proud hard-working men and women are anxious to become self- sufficient again as soon as possible. The nation has opened its heart to the victims of this vast tragedy, and we need to focus now on making sure that their towns, cities and parishes are ready for their return,” said Senator Kennedy referring to his trip to Louisiana with thirteen of his Senate colleagues on Friday. Kennedy is determined to rebuild the Gulf Coast not just as it was but to fulfill the true promise of the American Dream by committing ourselves to better health, better education and better job opportunities for them, and for all Americans. Today he me with leading African American ministers who, as messengers of the communities most affected by Hurricane Katrina, share this determination. On Thursday, Senators Kennedy and Enzi offered their education relief bill for the victims of Katrina and are expected to introduce health and labor proposals this week. Below is a description of the bill: