Page 18 Çortlanb (Obstruer M ay 25. 2011 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views o f the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. New Prices Effective May 1,2010 Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service C H G $45.00 A sm all distance/travel charge m ay be applied C A R PE T CLEAN IN G 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: ! sm all H allw ay) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area (Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs - With O ther Services): $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs. $25.00Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs ( Wool): $40.00Minimum H eavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spaying) U PH O LSTE R Y C LE A N IN G Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $ 1 0 9 -$ 1 3 9 Chair or Recliner: $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With O ther Services): $5.00 % A D D IT IO N A L S E R V IC E S • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet _ Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • M inor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 Powerful Weapon in the War on Unemployment Job training, education for urban youth by M arc H. M orial U.S. Sen. Kirsten G illib ra n d o f N ew York this month en­ listed in the war on ur­ ban u n em p lo y m en t with the introduction of the Urban Jobs Act. Gillibrand’s Urban Jobs Act is the Senate version o f House bill, H.R. 683, which was introduced earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns o f New York. Both bills would provide fed­ eral grant funding to the Na­ tional Urban League and other non-profit groups to offer job training, education and other sup­ port services for urban youth. The legislation will especially target those who have dropped out of high school or who have had some involvement with the criminal justice system. T he L a b o r D e p a rtm e n t’s April jobs report confirms the urgent need for this legislation. While overall unemployment is back up to 9 percent, African American unem ployment has now risen to 16.1 percent. Even more disturbing, Afri­ can American youth unemploy­ ment has now climbed to 41.6 percent, the highest rate of any group in the nation. In many urban commu­ nities, roughly one-third of minority youth are unem­ tion, Senator Gillibrand said, “Supporting education and train­ ing for our youth is a smart in­ vestment that will pay dividends over the long term.” We agree. W e know that youth em ploym ent not only helps put food on the table of struggling fam ilies, a jo b can literally turn a young perso n ’s life around and provide the skills, w ork ethic and experi­ ence necessary to grow into < Supporting education and training fo r our youth is a smart investment that will pay dividends over the long term, — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York * ployed. For several years now, the National Urban League has been leading the call for targeted action to address the urban jobs crisis. Our 12-point Jobs Rebuild America plan lays out specific strategies to achieve that goal. But W ashington has been largely silent, until now. Upon introducing the legisla­ placem ent, m entoring, intern­ ships and on-the-job training as well as G ED preparation, reading and math rem ediation, edu catio n al en rich m en t and p o s t- s e c o n d a r y e d u c a tio n . Support services include child care, health and nutrition re­ ferral and transportation and housing assistance. The Urban Jobs Act will pro­ vide desperately needed re­ sources to give young people who need it an all-important sec­ ond chance. It will reduce the disproportionate incarceration of minority youth and prepare eli­ gible young adults for entry into the world of work. W hile the Senate bill has just been introduced, we need to build more momentum in the House. We are urging citizens to urge your U.S. representatives in Con­ gress to join the current co-spon­ sors of H.R. 683. Empower yourself, empower your community, and join us in the “W ar on Unemployment” ! productive adulthood. The Urban Jobs Act would create an Urban Jobs Program and allocate $23 million in grants to national non-profit organiza­ tions to provide a com prehen­ sive set of services designed to Marc H. Morial is presi­ prepare youth, ages 18-24, for dent and chief executive of­ the job market. ficer of the National Urban These services include jo b League. U II j C