March 13, 2002 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Martin Frost, the Democratic Caucus Chair, announced today that Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) will lead the Democratic Caucus Welfare Reform Task Force with Reps. Benjamin Cardin and Richard Neal. The Task Force on Welfare Reform will be in charge of organizing Democratic efforts to get America’s families out of poverty and on the road to self-sufficiency. Welfare is reauthorized every five years and Congress must reauthorize the legislation before September 2002.

When Congress passed Welfare Reform in 1996, Rep. Woolsey, then co-chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Welfare Reform, warned that if the economy worsens, getting women off the welfare rolls and into work would not be enough. The economic slowdown of the last year has validated her concern.

"No one is better qualified than Rep. Lynn Woolsey to lead this important task force," said Rep. Martin Frost. "During her tenure in the House she has been an outspoken advocate for women, children and families. Her proven and effective leadership make her the best choice to co-chair the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Welfare Reform."

"Education is the key," said Rep. Woolsey. "Thirty-five years ago, I was a single mother on Welfare. Because I was educated and had good job skills, I was able to get off of welfare and, most importantly, lift my family out of poverty. Now, I have four grown, successful children and I am serving my fifth term in Congress."

The Democratic Caucus Task Force will consider issues like childcare services; consider the restoration of welfare funds and services previously offered to legal immigrants; promote a livable wage to help our families go from welfare to self-sufficiency and look at innovative ways to help all families out of poverty -- regardless of marital status.

"We now have a chance to make Welfare work for families in need," said Rep. Woolsey. "I look forward to leading the Welfare Reform Task Force with Reps. Cardin and Neal to improve our welfare system. The goal of welfare reauthorization is to move women and their families from welfare to self-sufficiency, not welfare to poverty."

As Congress reauthorizes the Welfare program this spring, Rep. Woolsey plans to introduce additional legislation that will allow education to count as work, and will provide childcare for infants and for weekend and evening workers.