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[Page: H1625]  GPO's PDF
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   (Ms. WATSON of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

   Ms. WATSON of California Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose the President's proposal to increase TANF work requirements. The proposed 40-hour work week will cripple the State's ability to continue to move TANF recipients out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. It will require States to make work.

   Despite recent trends, poverty has grown in my State of California. Hispanics and African Americans have higher rates of poverty in California than anywhere else in the country. Furthermore, most poor families in California are working. Simply working more hours is not the solution. Education is.

   Research has shown that welfare recipients who are able to attend community college increase their median earnings by 43 percent. More than half of the people on welfare in Los Angeles lack a high school diploma. Clearly, the educational needs of these people are not being met.

   TANF reauthorization needs to address the educational needs of welfare recipients. Simply working more hours is not the solution.