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Continued from page 175

We recognize that America is not the only nation going through a period of economic travail. Other nations are also experiencing difficulties, but they seem much more concerned about the welfare of their people then our government. For example, an unemployed British worker does not have to face the possibility that his unemployment checks will run out and his sole source of income will be cut off. And yet this is a frightening experience that many American workers - people who have worked all their lives and suddenly, through no fault of their own are out on the street - have to face in increasing numbers. 

We are not recommending a "welfare state", but certainly some better way has to be found to take care of our people than we presently practice. This is the challenge that the American people and their leaders face in 1983. 

We believe that the appropriate way to meet this challenge is to begin by halting the assault on the poor. They have been penalized much too much, and to inflict further hardship on them is unthinkable and indefensible. 

Further, we must seriously recommend the establishment of a Universal Employment and Training System that would guarantee productive work to all of the jobless and training to the unskilled. As John E. Jacob, President of the National Urban League has said:

"This would not be a make-work, token program to lower social tensions or to counter dips in the business cycle. Nor would it be just a government hiring program.

"Instead, a Universal Employment and Training System would be a joint public-private effort that rebuilds our decaying infrastructure, meets the manpower needs of the nation, and draws into the mainstream the millions who have been relegated to the margins of our society.

"There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in an America where millions are idle. Our national infrastructure is falling apart. Roads and bridges need to be repaired and replaced, and our rail system and ports need to be revitalized. We need to build homes, sewer lines and water systems. A decade of disinvestment forces us to strengthen the economic infrastructure of America if we want to grow...

"The training component of the system would begin in the schools and extend to the public support of private training for real jobs that would answer the nation's manpower needs for jobs that are now going unfilled such as computer technician, craftsmen and a host of other occupations. Our changing economy demands such a system if we are not to lose out to foreigners in the high tech fields of the future."

The pressing need for such a program is especially critical among the young. Their plight has been fully documented in several of the proceeding papers so that no further statistics describing their status are needed. However, an observation made by the noted psychiatrist Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint in his paper, "The Mental Health Status of Blacks - 1983," is germane.

"The social costs of unemployment, inflation and povery [[poverty]] become apparent in a dramatic increase in the levels of physical and mental instability and crime in a given community... With unemployment rates at 20.2% for blacks and over 45% for black youth, the potential outcome for blacks, particularly black males, is ominous." 

Dr. Poussaint's concern about the human cost extracted by unemployment is rightfully placed. And to that should be added the economic cost. For every percentage point of unemployment above four percent the nation loses about $30 billion in lost taxes and higher social expenditure.

Continued on page 180

[[images - scenes from the meeting]]
Heublein and Somerset Importers were responsible for the libations and cuisine at NUL Conventions

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Caption for bottom images is in a white box on top of the images.