Box 7, Folder 13, Document 32

Box 7, Folder 13, Document 32

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE

URBAN COALITION ON A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION

FOR THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

The Executive Committee of the Urban Coalition recommends
the prompt passage of a supplemental appropriation of $279
million for the Office of Economic Opportunity.

If the nation is going to begin to meet the legitimate
needs of its deprived citizens, this appropriation is necessary
to offset the impact on federally-supported programs of two
recent budgetary decisions.

These decisions were:

1. To divert existing OEO appropriations to the

funding of the "Job Opportunities in the
Business Sector" (JOBS) program, and

2. To refrain from seeking supplemental funds for

special summer programs of employment, education
and recreation in urban areas.

Prompt passage of a supplemental appropriation is required
to continue existing programs and to fund special summer programs.
Federal funds now available are inadequate to meet even minimal

OEO program needs in employment, education and recreation. The

Executive Committee of the Urban Coalition believes these programs
can contribute significantly to enhanced opportunity for young
people in the impoverished areas of our cities, especially during

the school vacation period. Only last week the report of the
Page Two

President's Commission on Civil Disorders warned of the perils
at hand in the cities unless such opportunity is provided.

The Executive Committee therefore calls upon the Congress
to enact a supplemental appropriation of $279 million to give
the Office of Economic Opportunity sufficient funds to realis-
tically meet on-going program needs and to sustain the minimum
commitment of last year's summer programs. The supplemental
appropriation should include:

1. $104 million to upgrade the current OEO appropria-

tion to the requested authorization level for
fiscal '68 (prorated for the remainder of the
fiscal year) ;

2. $100 million to replace funds diverted to the JOBS

program '

3. $75 million for special summer programs.