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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 t h e nation is going to begin to meet the l egitimate need s of its d e p r i ved cit ize ns, this a ppropriation is necessary to offset the impact on federally-supported programs of two recent budgetary decisions. These decis i ons were: 1. To divert e x isting OEO appropriations to the fund i ng of t h e "Job Opportunities in the Business Sector" · 2. (JOBS) program, and To refrain from seeking supplemental funds for special summer programs of employment, education and r ecreation in urban areas . Prompt passage of a supplemental appropr iation is r e q ui r ed to con t i n ue e x i s ting prog r ams and to fun d spec i al s umme r programs. Fede r a l fu nds n ow a v a i lable a re i nadequat e to meet e v e n minimal OEO program needs i n e mployment, educatio n and recreati o n. The Executive Committee o f 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 realistically 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 appropriation 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. �