Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009, which will provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher.  This bill provides a critical boost to the many Rhode Islanders, and Americans across the nation, who are struggling to find employment.  In order to receive these benefits, workers must have lost a job through no fault of their own, be actively searching for a job, be able to work, and must have worked twenty weeks prior to being laid off.  Only unemployed workers who become eligible for the additional weeks of benefits before January 1, 2010, will qualify for this extension.   

I am encouraged by reports that our country’s recession is easing, but that is little consolation to the many people still suffering in my home state.  In Rhode Island, the unemployment rate has reached 12.8 percent, which is the third highest rate in the country.  It is also estimated that nearly 4,500 Rhode Islanders will exhaust their benefits before the end of this year.  With recent reports estimating that there are six job seekers for every job opening, Congress must act to help workers through this challenging time. 

I understand the hardships Rhode Islanders are facing, and that is why rebuilding our economy is the top priority for me and this Congress.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has saved the jobs of teachers, police officers, and nurses across our state-and has created jobs through new highway and infrastructure projects, with more coming online in the next few months.  I am also pleased to see that the programs we have passed are being turned into smart investments in our future, such as the creation of clean energy jobs in our state through weatherization and offshore wind development. 

As the President has stated, it may take some time before we see significant improvements in our unemployment rate, but I am confident that the programs we are putting into place will yield results over the next several months, while the longer-term investments we’re making will ensure that our workforce and our job market are stronger in the years to come.  While unemployment benefits and stimulus programs help jumpstart our economy in the short term, Congress must also work to build a new foundation for a lasting recovery.  That is why we are making much needed reforms to our health care and financial systems and investing in our education and workforce training systems.  

As Members of Congress, we have the power to give hard-working Americans another chance to continue their job search and provide for their families.  I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill to help those who are most vulnerable during these trying times.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.