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More out-of-work Americans will run out of unemployment insurance benefits during the first half of 2002 than at any time since the recession of 1992. Over 2million workers will soon exhaust the customary 26 weeks of jobless benefits and watch as cars are repossessed, mortgages go unpaid and children struggle without enough food and health care.

Without an immediate extension of the unemployment benefits, we will soon witness a rolling nationwide crisis as 11,000 workers each week are cut from the program designed to support families as their search for work continues.

During the 1975 recession, unemployment benefits were extended from the usual 26 weeks to 65 weeks. In 1982, jobless benefits were extended to 49 weeks and in the recession of 1992, from 26 weeks to 59 weeks.

Our government must act quickly to address this crisis. Yet, last week, the House of Representatives refused for the third time to act on a straightforward Senate bill that would immediately extend unemployment benefits by an additional 13 weeks.

The House leadership continues to hold benefit extension legislation hostage as they push for a so-called ‘stimulus’ bill loaded with tax cuts for business. The time has come to recognize the real hardship caused by this unprecedented and cold-hearted policy.

America’s unemployed have enough to worry about without Congress putting the squeeze on what little hope they have left.

Don’t be bashful. Let your U.S. Representative and Senators know that you will not tolerate their casual indifference to the plight of the unemployed.

In nine months, they will be asking for our votes. Isn’t it time they voted for us for a change?

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Comments or Suggestions? E-mail the Communications Officer
of Siouxland Lodge 1426 IAMAW
Greg Enright