Date: 2014-06-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

So. in conclusion. Mr. Chairman. let me indicate that our task here is to create jobs. We understand that there are 300.000 vets that. in fact. may need unemployment insurance. We want them to have jobs. along with women and minorities. and so I would ask my colleagues to accept the Jackson Lee amendment. and I thank the committee. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Chair. I would like to thank Natural Resources Committee Chairman HASTINGS and Ranking Member DEFAZIO for their leadership and commitment. I also wish the Chairman well as he moves on to other endeavors. He will be missed. Mr. Chair. I rise to speak in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment #9 to H.R. 4899. the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act of 2014. Congress has an affirmative duty to increase diversity in the federal government as there is an undeniable lack of participation for veterans. women and minorities in regards to employment. entrepreneurial and ownership opportunities. The Jackson Lee Amendment #9 to H.R. 4899 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an Office of Energy Employment and Training to create economic opportunities that support the Agencys hiring and training of veterans. women and underrepresented minorities. As the Member of Congress from Houston. the energy capital of the nation. I have always been mindful of the importance and have strongly advocated for national energy policies that will make our nation more energy independent. preserve and create jobs. and keep our nations economy strong. The recent increase in production of unconventional oil and natural gas has provided a lift to the U.S. economy and Americans are seeing the benefits not only because of the jobs created but also because household incomes have seen an increase as a result of lower energy costs. I would be remiss if I did not point out that both the Chairman and Ranking Member have been resolute in their pursuit of the expansion of opportunities in the energy industry. I share that commitment with themand this amendment is an example of what happens when Members work in goodfaith across the aisle to find viable solutions. We all know that while government may not be able to solve all problemsit can be a bridge to solving someand "the great mitigator" for others. Veterans. minorities and women are significantly underrepresented in the oil and gas industries at all levels and severely underrepresented in the senior managerial. professional. board and ownership ranks. U.S. competitiveness requires that this nation increases the number of successful underrepresented minorities in STEM education and careers. is more essential than ever. A pipeline of qualified veterans looking for employment could play a key role as the energy industry seeks quality. highly skilled workers. I am committed to honor our obligations to our Nations veterans. utilize the talents of veterans to help the Government meet todays dynamic challenges. and create a program worthy of emulation by the private sector. The Office of Energy Employment and Training will provide an opportunity to align military and utility job classifications. identify veterans with the desired basic skills. access military personnel during the offboarding process and hold training programs specifically for targeted veteran cohorts. Underrepresented minorities seeking STEM jobs cannot solely rely upon advanced degree programs. but must be able to pursue a number of routes to good paying STEM jobs. A highly focused area for STEM education and job opportunities can be found in the oil and gas industry. For example. 200113 the number of STEM jobs in North Dakota increased by 37.2 percent as a direct result of the oil and gas boom in that state. North Dakota exceeded the nation in life. physical and social science technicians and the state is close to the national average for engineering technicians. physical scientists and life scientists. Nationally. in 2010 there were 1.2 million people employed in the oil and gas industry of those persons only: 98.000 or 8.2% are African Americans. 188.000 or 15.7% are Hispanics. and 225.687 jobs or 19% are women. The 2014 report prepared by the American Petroleum Institute states the oil and gas industry and petrochemical industry could create between 940.000 to 1.3 million employment opportunities between now and 2030. Only a small fraction of these new jobs will come as a result of retirements. The major factor for employment demands for the oil and gas industry is natural growth that will occur and investment by the industry and the influence of energy demand by a growing economy. There a significantly larger number and variety of good paying jobs in the oil and gas industry. In 2011. the average oil field worker earned $35.590. slightly higher than the national average. those working in natural gas distribution earned an average of $38.870 per year. The states with the highest pay included Alaska. at $48.370. Montana at $45.870 per year. Wyoming. at $41.130. and North Dakota. at $40.340 per year. Minorities comprise 26% of the oil and gas labor force in 2010 and that number is expected to grow to 325 by 2030. In 2010 women were 17% of the oil and gas labor force and their number is expected to drop to less than 15% in 2030. The lower employment prospects for women are a direct consequence of the extreme level of underrepresentation in the energy sector. A closer look at the employment prospects for minorities reveals that AfricanAmericans like are projected to experience a decline in employment in the oil and gas industry due to underrepresentation of African Americans. The level of underrepresentation of minorities and women is reflected in oil and gas industry senior and professional ranks. Minorities comprise 15% of management and professionals working in the oil and gas industry and are projected to comprise 17% by 2030. When compared to all blue collar jobs2minorities make up 21% of the jobs. and in 2010 they comprised 38% of blue collar jobs. Women do slightly better with a 24% in 2010. and are expected to hold this percentage of the blue collar job market to 2030. Our booming energy sector has been one of the greatest American success stories in the last decade. and remains a bright spot in our economy as it continue to fuel job creation. To continue this success we need a diverse energy workforce that is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of our new energy landscape. The Jackson Lee amendment will help prepare a diverse population of workers from across the country with diverse backgrounds to enter into exciting and rewarding careers in American energy jobs. Our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Hispanic Centers of excellence. Tribal Colleges and Universities. Native AmericanServing NonTribal Institutions and Women Colleges and Universities will become more engaged by a direct pipeline into the Department of Interior that will foster collaboration. mentorships and partnerships through effective job training that will yield employment opportunities. In closing. I ask my colleagues. to support the Jackson Lee amendment that will address the ability and potential of people who are traditionally underrepresented in energyproduction activities by creating an Office of Energy Employment and Training. which will oversee the hiring and training efforts of the Department of Interiors energy planning. permitting. and regulatory agencies. The Department of the Interior will be responsible for fostering diversity in management. employment. and business activities. Again. I thank Chairman HASTINGS and Ranking Member DEFAZIO for their outstanding leadership. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas .