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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release July 2, 1999

              VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES $20.9 MILLION
      FOR TEXAS WORKERS HURT BY LAYOFFS TO HELP THEM FIND NEW JOBS

Washington, DC -- Vice President Gore announced today a $20.9 million grant to help Texas workers who have lost jobs in the garment industry and in agriculture find new jobs.

"We must ensure that our economy makes use of the talents and abilities of all of our citizens," Vice President Al Gore said. "The Texas garment industry has lost jobs from foreign competition and Texas farms have been affected by drought conditions. These funds will ensure that the important contributions that Texas workers have to offer will not be overlooked."

"Losing a job is stressful for the workers, their families and the community," US Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman said. "The re-employment services available through this grant will get the workers back into the labor market."

The grant, provided by the Department of Labor, will be administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and managed by the Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board, South Texas Workforce Board and the Cameron Workforce Board.

The project operators will receive $10 million for immediate use, and will assist approximately 1,850 garment and agricultural workers in the counties of Cameron, Dimmit, Edwards, Hildago, Jim Hogg, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Starr, Uvalde, Val, Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata and Zavala.

The dislocated worker program is funded under the Job Training Partnership Act for workers who lose jobs because of technological changes, foreign competition or government action. Generally, workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation.

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