Press Releases

Congresswoman Wilson Hosts Congressional Black Caucus "For the People" Jobs Initiative (H. Res. 348) with Town Hall and Jobs Fair in Miami on August 22nd/23rd

Five-City Jobs Tour – Including Back-to-Back Events in Miami – Will Feature Prominent Members of Congress and Over 100 National and Local Employers

Unemployment Rate is a Staggering 13.9% in Miami-Dade, 9.5% in Broward

Wilson: “Unemployment in South Florida is No Longer a Crisis, But an Epidemic. It’s Time to Take Matters Into Our Own Hands.”

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-17) announced that the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) “For the People” Jobs Initiativewill come to Miami on August 22^nd and 23^rd with a major town hall event and a jobs fair. The two-day series of events will bring real job opportunities to people out of work and directly connect over 100 national and local employers with unemployed constituents.

“From day one, my focus has been jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Unemployment in South Florida is no longer a crisis, but an epidemic. It’s time to take matters into our own hands and provide real opportunities for people to get back to work.

“With African American unemployment at a staggering 16.2% and local unemployment in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties at 13.9% and 9.5%, the status quo is simply intolerable. I, along with fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have filed over 40 bills to address job creation. I’m fed up with Republicans refusal to bring up a single bill on jobs this Congress.

“I’m thrilled that the Congressional Black Caucus Jobs Initiative is coming to Miami, and I look forward to working with over 100 national and local employers to address the most pressing issue in our community.”

Following are the details for the two events:

Town Hall Meeting (featuring major public figures and members of Congress) –

Mt. Hermon AME Church with Pastor John White II

17800 NW 25^th Avenue

Miami Gardens, 33056

Monday August 22, 2011, 6:00 p.m.

Jobs Fair (with over 100 national and local employers from across the country) –

James L. Knight Center, Downtown Miami

400 SE 2^nd Avenue

Miami, FL 33131

Tuesday August 23, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (registration begins at 8:00 a.m.)

Partners include Miami Mayor Tomas P. Regalado and Commissioner Richard P. Dunn II, as well as members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Event will include Job Readiness, Restoration of Rights, Seal and Expungement, and Mortgage Modification Workshops; Public and Private Sector Employers; and Technical Assistance Seminars (resume writing, interview skills, and salary negotiations). The U.S. Office of Personal Management (OPM) will also assist attendees with applying for federal jobs listings.

For more information, please visit https://thecongressionalblackcaucus.com/issues/jobs-initiative/dates-and-locations/or https://wilson.house.gov

Media interested in attending are asked to contact Mahen Gunaratna at mahen.gunaratna@mail.house.gov/(202) 225-4506 or Trenae Floyd at trenae.floyd@mail.house.gov/(305) 690-5905.

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17^th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.