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PHILLIPPE

What do these disadvantaged persons want? They want useful jobs, decent housing, a good education for their children and an end to harassment, and an opportunity to share in the American way of life.

These aspirations are certainly not unreasonable. But a lot of changes will have to be made and many barriers will have to come down. And this should be brought about in the shortest possible time.

I think we are all aware that these problems require attention from every responsible agency in our society -- including a major effort by the business community.

Many of the companies represented here today have been directly affected; some of your factories are in the older sections of the cities that are turning into slums, or near them. And for those whose operations are not located in these areas, you know, I am sure, that no one is exempt from the social and economic impact of these problem areas. A man needs only children these days to have a surpassing interest in the effects of narcotics or crime in the streets. Directly involved or not, businessmen are showing the same kind of concern for the urban crisis.

Almost every major business association and business enterprise has become involved in constructive efforts to stem the tide of urban deterioration.

I understand that the NAM recently documented 70 cases in which companies have inaugurated programs, for example, to provide employment and education and training. These programs include part-time jobs and special instruction and counselling for high school dropouts, efforts to create jobs for persons with prison records, and for others with no work experience at all.

I am sure these 70 cases are only representative and not a full measure of the effort which is under way. We can add to this the countless collective efforts by various business and trade associations and other private and public agencies in which business is playing a significant role.

The NAM's own STEP program -- Solutions to Employment  Problems -- has been functioning since 1964. In Detroit, a week or so ago, I visited the Career Development Center, which is financed by industry but operated by leadership from local minority groups. The Opportunities Industrialization Centers, inspired by the leadership of the Reverend Leon Sullivan of Philadelphia, also receives a helping hand from industry; as does the effective AIM-Jobs project in Cleveland; as well as the more familiar Urban League programs which are operating in many cities.

And, of course, some companies are doing yeoman service in the operation of Job Corps Centers, and other government-related programs such as those growing out of the Manpower Development and Training Act.

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