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The Urban Coalition I Federal Bar Building West/ 1819 H Street, N. w. Washington, D. C. / 20006 Steering Comm/ttee Co-chairmen: Andrew Heiskell/ A. Philip Randolph FOR RELEASE AT 6:30 P.M., THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1968 The Executive Committee of the national Urban Coalition today called for Congressional action on a supplemental appropriation for the Office of Economic Opportunity, expanded housing legislation, and emergency legislation to provide at least 1,000,000 new jobs through public service employment. John W. Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and new Chairman of the Urban Coalition, also released an Executive Committee statement which "strongly endorsed" the Report of the President's Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. For OEO, the Executive Conunittee urged an additional $104 million to raise current appropriations to the level authorized for fiscal 1968; $100 million to replace funds diverted . to the Job Opportunities in the Business Sector (JOBS) program; and $75 million for special summer employment, education and recreation programs. The statement said "Federal funds now available are inadequate to meet even minimal program needs in employment, educat ion a n d recreation". It said such programs "can contr i b u te s i g - nifica n t l y t o enhanced opportunity for young people in the impoverish e d a r eas of our cities, espe cially during the s choo l vacation period. " National Coordinators : John Feild / Ron M. Linton Telephone 293 - 1530 �Page Two The Coalition's Executive Committee endorsed in principle legislative proposals for a public service employment program . aimed at creating at least 1,000,000 "socially useful" new jobs through a combination of public and private efforts. In _the housing field, the Committee commended President Johnson's proposal for a Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 and described as "major contributions" a number of other Administration efforts, including flexible interest subsidies, rent supplements and fair housing. However, the Committee urged a "mix of public and private r esources" to carry out a "massive and carefully coordinated" . program to assure each American of a decent home and a suitable living environment. Specifically, Congress was urged to take steps to minimize land speculation, assure that "workable program" r equir ements i n Federa lly- aided programs do not ser ve as a barrier to low and modera te i ncome housing, eliminate r ed tape and establish ind e pen dent pr ogram evaluation pr ocesses .

Texts of Statements Attached . For further Information: Maurer, Fleisher, Zon & Associates 337-8070

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