Bread For The World Calls For Creation Of Green Jobs

EL PASO, Texas, -- Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World, today urged members of the National Latino Congreso to press their representatives in Congress to create more green jobs in order to reduce hunger and poverty among U.S. Latinos. "A recent poll by the Alliance to End Hunger found that half of all likely American voters say their families are living paycheck to paycheck. However, among Latino families, it's an alarming seven out of 10," he said.

According to the recently released report from Bread for the World Institute, Hunger 2010: A Just and Sustainable Recovery, one of the best investments the United States can make is to create green jobs. Workers could quickly be trained to do their jobs using green building methods, clean energy, and environmentally friendly materials. "Dollar for dollar, these are the kind of jobs that will best help us to attain a sustainable economic recovery," said Rev. Beckman.

Rev. Beckmann added that if we invest in making our homes and buildings more energy-efficient, and in greening our infrastructure, more green jobs would be created. "These are the kind of jobs that will help the poorest among us -- the people who need steady employment the most," he said.

Unemployment in the U.S. is currently estimated at 10 percent. Last month alone, 85,000 jobs were lost -- most of them in construction, manufacturing, and wholesale trade industries. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 27 out of every 100 Latino males work in the construction industry.

As unemployment has risen, so has poverty and hunger in the U.S. The number of people living in poverty is now 13.2 percent, the highest level since 1997. Nearly one in four children live in families that struggle to put food on the table. "These statistics are a grim reminder that poor families have been the hardest hit by the recession," said Rev. Beckmann. "As we move toward economic recovery, we should invest in policies that create jobs and support work, which are the best solutions to hunger and poverty."

The fourth National Latino Congreso, held January 29-31, 2010, represents one of the largest gatherings of Latino leaders from throughout the U.S. During this conference, action plans will be launched on justice for immigrants, climate change and clean energy, saving homes, and creating jobs.

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

SOURCE Bread for the World