The GREEN DMV Report
September 2011
Urban Jobs Act and Green Jobs
Contributing Writer: Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns

Early this year, I introduced the Urban Jobs Act as my first piece of legislation for the 112th Congress.  The Urban Jobs Act would improve the employment prospects of youth in urban areas by providing resources for job training programs that target underserved youth in urban communities.

The unemployment rate has nearly doubled in my District over the last five years to slightly more than 10%.  The Urban Jobs Act is particularly timely because youthful job seekers are arguably suffering through the most difficult job market in decades.  If passed, the Urban Jobs Act promises to give much needed relief to youth in Brooklyn and other underserved areas.



I introduced the Urban Jobs Act because decent and well paying jobs are hard to find, especially for youth.  However, the emerging green economy promises to provide a source of hope for people that are hungry for an opportunity to create a better future for themselves and their families.  In the aftermath of the most severe economic crisis since the 1930’s, Americans at every social and economic level have seen their lives change.  Fortunately, not all change is bad.  In fact, some of these changes—like green technology—may lead to a healthier economy and environment. 

In an effort to save money, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to lower their energy consumption.  This is exciting news for the young people the Urban Jobs Act is meant to help.  If the Urban Jobs Act is passed, communities among the hardest hit during the recession may have increased resources to prepare young people to enter America’s emerging green economy.

As a result of the emerging green economy, policy makers representing urban areas have a unique opportunity to create new employment pathways for their community.  Business leaders see growing economic opportunity in green technologies.  It is incumbent on political leaders representing urban communities to ensure their communities are not forgotten in the rush to create jobs.  My goal is to reinforce the importance of Brooklyn’s involvement in the green economy with every piece of employment legislation I introduce.

Much has been said about the fact that many green jobs require workers with advanced skills.  Undoubtedly, people will argue that young people in urban communities are precluded from entry into the green economy because they may not possess these specialized skills, a premise I flatly reject.  

The fact is many jobs created by a green economy will be related to construction.  While adapting to a green economy will be difficult, construction jobs are nothing new for many workers in urban communities.  Moreover, youth new to construction may get training under programs funded as a result of the Urban Jobs Act.  For jobs not related to construction, policy makers must ensure that resources already allocated to training a green workforce are specifically targeted to workers in urban communities. 

The notion that workers in urban communities cannot meet our economy’s new demands must be quickly dispelled.  The promise of a green future need not be restricted to workers who have already received specialized training unrelated to green jobs.  Ultimately, most workers competing for a green job will require some form of new training.  It is my job and the job of other leaders to secure a place for young workers in America’s green future.

Edolphus “Ed” Towns was re-elected to his 15th term in the United States House of Representatives on November 2, 2010, signaling their continued confidence in his leadership and ability to deliver for his constituents. In the previous Congress, he served as Chairman of the powerful Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR). However, he relinquished his opportunity to be the ranking member to return to his influential seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, a seat he has held since 1989. He will also remain on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management.

On Energy and Commerce, Congressman Towns will serve on three subcommittees: Health; Communications, Technology and the Internet; and Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. All three subcommittees will play an integral role in legislation promoting President Barack Obama’s goals of restoring America’s leadership in technology and manufacturing. As a member of the Health Subcommittee, Congressman Towns will be actively engaged in advancing healthcare reform that provides enhanced benefits for millions of Americans.

Congressman Towns began his political career when he left his position as an administrator at Beth Israel Hospital to become Brooklyn’s first African American Deputy Borough President in 1978. He won the admiration of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and she began grooming him for an eventual run for Congress. He was elected to Congress in 1982 and began a long and distinguished career in the United States House of Representatives.

Congressman Towns has been a leader in Washington and actively engaged in several Congressional Caucuses including the Congressional Black Caucus which he chaired in 1991, the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, the Congressional Urban Caucus, the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, and the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus.