MAY 27, 1965.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. POWELL, from the Committee on Education and Labor, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H.R. 8283]

The Committee on Education and Labor, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 8283) to expand the war on poverty and enhance the effectiveness of programs under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 carried an authorization for an appropriation for only 1 year. This 1-year appropriation authorization was a control technique developed by the Congress in order to require a close check and reevaluation of this new program. The Education and Labor Committee early this year established an ad hoc subcommittee to make a detailed investigation of the Economic Opportunity Act. As a part of the investigation, special task forces were sent to make on-the-spot field investigations throughout the United States. Numerous days of public and executive hearings were held. A more complete investigation was not possible because of the very heavy congressional legislative schedule during this early part of the 89th Congress. Also, it was not possible to completely judge some of the programs of this great new approach to the elimination of poverty because the program is only in its initial stages of operation. It is possible, however, to say at this time that the program as a whole appears to be soundly conceived and that the administration of it is being well and faithfully carried out.

The first appropriation for this new program became available on the 8th day of October 1964. From that date, an enormous amount of activity began. It was necessary to assemble and organize a staff in

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Washington, and regional staffs. It was necessary to develop the
programs, conceive and publish the regulations under which they
would operate. Since for a part of this program, namely, the com-
munity action programs, there was no prototype or model upon which
to build or improve, the administration of this new concept has been
difficult. even new program,
on
However, even this new program, with its emphasis on
local planning and participation, is making substantial progress.

TITLE I-YOUTH PROGRAMS

As stated in the report on the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the purpose of this title is to create new opportunities and expand existing opportunities for young people to obtain work, education, and training.

PART A-JOB CORPS

Last year, the Job Corps concept became a reality. The functional operation of this plan involved the participation of young people, age 16 through 21, who, through a change in surroundings and associations, would be prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship and employment which every youth should and must bear.

Section II of H.R. 8283 amends section 104(D) of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 so as to require that each enrollee take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the same form and with the same penalty provisions as are now provided in the National Defense Education Act and the National Science Foundation Act. This change would make the loyalty oath requirement for the Job Corps enrollee conform to the oaths required under other major programs in the education and training field.

An effort is made by the Job Corps staff to insure that enrollees and prospective enrollees are not accepted unless they adequately demonstrate the necessary stimulation and honesty of purpose which is necessary for effective and meaningful participation. Moreover, enrollees, once accepted, are subject to continuous supervision which is so personal and intensive that those who might for any reason, seek to use enrollment for deceptive purposes inconsistent with the options of the program can expect to have their enrollment promptly terminated.

Under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Federal Employees' Compensation Act death and disability benefits are not payable with respect to Job Corps enrollees who may be injured or killed while temporarily absent from their campsite on a pass. For example, as the present law stands, a Job Corps enrollee or his dependents would be denied Federal Employees' Compensation Act benefits if he is injured or killed while going to or coming from a nearby town. The committee has attempted to correct this unfortunate situation by extending Federal Employees' Compensation Act coverage to Job Corps enrollees while they are on authorized pass.

The committee deems this to be the most practical approach to the problem based upon the fact that when a Job Corps enrollee is away from his home and he is engaged in an authorized Job Corps activity, he is necessarily subjected to the possibility of death or injury whether or not he is within the area of the campsite itself. The new bill also specifically extends Federal Employees' Compensation Act coverage to a Job Corps enrollee who is on authorized travel