Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
66328591
label
[American Conservation Corps Act]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
66328591
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
[American Conservation Corps Act]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
James Cicconi's Subject Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
66328591
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1985-12-31
year
1985
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1981-01-01
year
1981
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
2557920e7d6d7932
ocrText
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 6, 1984
Dear Mr. Howe:
Thank you for the information you were
kind enough to forward in support of the
American Conservation Corps Act. I can
assure you it was carefully considered
in our deliberations.
As you know, the Administration had a
number of serious concerns about the
bill which were not remedied in the
final version. As a result, the
President felt it necessary to exercise
his veto authority. I have enclosed a
copy of his statement on the subject
for your information.
Again, we appreciate you taking the time
to convey your views.
Sincerely,
Anner W linear
James W. Cicconi
Special Assistant
to the President
Mr. Sydney Howe
Executive Director,
Human Environment Center
810 18th Street, Northwest
Washington, D.C.
20006
Human
Environment
Center
810-18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 202/393-5550
October 16, 1984
James Cicconi, Special Assistant
to the President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Cicconi:
We hope very much that you will consider the enclosed copy of our
October 15 letter to the President, which appeals to him to sign the
American Conservation Corps Act.
Our Center has been studying and assisting local and state con-
servation corps programs for four years. While we believe strongly in
ACC, we can appreciate that opinions may differ. And we know that con-
flicting and sometimes erroneous information enters corps discussions!
If the White House assessment of the ACC Act should encounter
questions concerning costs, benefits, relevant prior-corps experience
or other matters, we would be grateful for an opportunity to comment --
however informally or confidentially. Alternatively, we can suggest
specific sources, both in documents and experienced officials, for re-
liable information that may be needed.
Hoping for your favorable review,
Sincerely,
Sydney Executive Howe Director Home
encl.
SH/1w
Human
Environment
Center
810-18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 202/393-5550
October 15, 1984
President Ronald Reagan
Re: Signing of American
The White House
Conservation Corps Act
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Please sign the American Conservation Corps Act just passed by the Con-
gress and due at the White House shortly.
Recognizing that you have held reservations about the ACC, we believe
you will find most of them met in the final wording of this Act.
Hard-work conservation corps programs are the only form of public ser-
vice job creation that has consistently won support across the political
spectrum -- from the time of Alf Landon and FDR to that of Jerry Brown and
George Deukmejian. The American people still revere the Civilian Conserva-
tion Corps. Your founding of the effective California Ecology Corps is an-
other important case in point, and the most recent example is Governor Thorn-
burgh's Pennsylvania Conservation Corps going on line this month. The enclosed
"Conservation Corps Profiles" document the considerable multi-state and local
corps movement that has sought ACC and would be greatly facilitated by the
Act's strong partnership features.
Your own aggressive and demanding leadership could make the American Con-
servation Corps a model of disciplined work and training -- to turn out young
men and women whom business and industry want to hire.
Sincerely,
Home
Sydney Howe
Executive Director
encl.
SH/1w
Conservation Corps Profiles
DRAFT
September, 1984
There has been a remarkable emergence of state, local and non-profit con-
servation corps since the 1981 termination of most such Federal programs. Data
here show $108 million now spent annually for corps operations in the U.S.A. ---
$86 million by 14 states, $12.5 million for 13 local and non-profit corps, and
$10 million by Federal agencies (vs. a Federal $260 million before 1981). Canada,
with one-tenth of our population, spends $100 million per year on comparable
activities.
These programs depend upon many conservation, youth and jobs interests for
their political sustenance. Most are seriously underfunded but continue to
demonstrate the cost-effective value of conservation corps programs for youth,
for natural and community resources, and for the public welfare.
This information has been gathered from corps managers, but the Center is
responsible for any errors or omissions. Corrections and additions are earnestly
invited. (Human Environment Center, 810 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006;
202/393-5550)
Year-Round State Corps
Iowa Youth ($1,200,000): Administered by
the Iowa Office of Planning and Programming.
Public and private agencies provide 30% fund-
Alaska Conservation Corps($402,000) Admin-
ing and operate programs on non-federal public
istered by, and operates in Alaska State Parks.
lands. Ages 14-19. Operates summer conserva-
Employs 85 enrollees, ages 15-18, in summer
tion program, volunteer program and year-round
and a few, ages 18-24, in year-round programs.
in-school service corps component for disad-
Non-residential and residential.
vantaged youth. Non-residential,
Mike D. Lee, Director
JoAnn Callison or Philip Smith
Alaska Conservation Corps
Office of Planning & Programming
Pouch 7001
523 East 12th St.
Anchorage, AK 99510
Des Moines, IA
50319
907/265-4504
515/281-3927
California Conservation Corps $37.2 million):
Michigan Conservation Corps($5.2 million):
A division of the California Resources Agency.
Administered by the Department of Natural Re-
Contracts with federal, state and local land-
sources. Operates on public land. Enrollees
managing agencies. Ages 18-23. Has manda-
Must be 18-25 and on general assistance when
tory GED and literacy program. Operates 19
hired. Joined with the Michigan Community
residential centers and 13 non-residential
Service Corps in Project Self-Reliance, a
satellites.
career counseling and skills development effort
to place enrollees in private sector jobs.
Bud Sheble, Director
Non-residential and residential
California Conservation Corps
1530 Capitol Ave.
Timothy Ervin, Director
Sacramento, CA
95814
Michigan Conservation Corps
916/445-0307
Department of Natural Resources
P. 0. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
Connecticut Conservation Corps ($585,000): Ad-
517/373-0134
ministered by the Department of Environmental
Protection. Operates eight-member crews in
state parks and forests. Ages 18-26. Non-
Minnesota Conservation Corps ($805,000): Ad-
residential.
ministered by the Department of Natural Re-
sources. Operates on state-owned land. Ages
Richard Couch, Director
18-26. Non-residential.
Planning and Development
Division of Conservation/Preservation
John Grix, Director
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Office of Youth Programs
Hartford, CT 06106
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
203/566-5026
Centennial Office Bldg., Box 4
St. Paul, MN 55155
612/296-2144
Other Corps Programs
Anne Arundel Co. Conservation Corps, MD
Montgomery Co. Conservation Corps, MD($770,000):
($250,000): Funded through the JTPA and Com-
Administered by the Department of Family
munity Development Block Grants. Administered
Resources. Work sites/projects provided by
by County Office of Manpower. Operates on
Maryland National Capital Park & Planning
public lands. Ages 18-24. Year-round, non-
Commission and Montgomery County Department
residential.
of Environmental Protection. Operates on
county land. Ages 17-22. Year-round, non-
Dorothy McGuinness
residential.
Anne Arundel Youth Conservation Corps
P.O. Box 1831 - MS 1306
Richard P. Crane
Annapolis, MD 21404
Montgomery Cty. Dept. of Family
301/224-1319
Resources
Division for Children and Youth
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Dutchess County Youth Community Service
301/279-1530
Corps, NY ($300,000): Administered by the
non-profit Youth Resource Development Corp.
Crews work in county and state parks and in
service corps projects, including rehabilita-
Multnomah County Youth Services Demonstration
tion for the Poughkeepsie Housing Authority.
Project, OR ($102,000): Administered by Mult-
Ages 16-19. Employs three crews of in-
nomah County Youth Services. Funded by fees for
school youth and four of high-school drop-outs.
services, donations and Community Development
Block Grants. Operates on public lands and in
James Klasen, Director
low-income urban neighborhoods of Portland
Youth Resource Development Corp.
area. Minimum age, 18. Year-round, non-resi-
P.O. Box 4737
dential.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
914/473-5005
Jimmy Brown
Multnomah Cty. Youth Services Project
5205 Southeast 86th Ave.
Portland, OR 97266
East Bay Conservation Corps, Hayward, CA($700,
503/775-8170
000): Administered as a private, non-profit
organization. Funded through government
grants, philanthropy and fees for services.
National Service Corporation, New York City
Contracts for work with land agencies. Ages
($7 million): Administered by a non-profit
14-26. Year-round, non-residential.
corporation funded by New York City. 18 year-
olds serve as volunteers in conservation and
Joanna Lennon, Director
human service projects. Enrollees earn $80
East Bay Conservation Corps
per week and receive a $2,500 cash or $5,000
951 Palisade St.
scholarship bonus after one year of service.
Hayward, CA 94542
Year-round, non-residential.
415/582-9629
Carl Weisbrod, Executive Director
National Service Corporation
330 West 42nd Street
Marin Conservation Corps, CA ($1.25 million):
New York, NY 10036
Sponsored by Marin Private Industry Council
212/971-6865
as non-profit organization. Funded by fees
for services, foundation grants and public
agency funds. Contracts for work with federal
Northwest Youth Corps, Eugene, OR (Funding
state and local agencies. Ages 18-26, year-
varies with contracts): Administered as a
round, and 15-22, summer. Non-residential and
private, non-profit organization funded by
residential.
fees for services from private logging com-
panies and non-profit organizations. Ages
16-18. Operates two five-week summer
Harvey Morrison, Director
sessions.
Marin Conservation Corps, Box 89
San Rafael, CA 94915
Arthur Pope, Director
415/454-4554
Northwest Youth Corps
895 East 39th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97405
503/343-6419
EDITORIALS
April 8, 1984
The New CCC
ENTION OF THE Civilian Conservation
Corps brings back memories of the Great
Depression and a program authorized by Con-
San Francisco Chronicle
gress in 1933 as part of the New Deal.
THE VOICE OF THE WEST
Black-and-white newsreel films of this period
show a smiling Franklin Delano Roosevelt - -
Richard T. Thieriot, Editor and Publisher
cigaret holder at jaunty tilt - speaking to
tanned and healthy young men at a woodsy
Charles de Young Thieriot, Publisher 1955-77
George T. Cameron, Publisher 1925-55
encampment.
Founded 1865 by Charles and M.H. de Young
The CCC served as home, employer and
educator for some two million young people
before it was abolished because the U.S. entered
World War II. It put some cash in their pockets,
gave them a chance at good, hard physical work
"This program will be aimed at hardcore
and spared them the humiliation and malaise
unemployed young people," said the Corps' new
that gripped most of urban America during that
director, Robert J. Burkhardt. "We promise
wretched period.
them no vacation, just plenty of dirty, back-
breaking work in all kinds of weather."
There are also memories of the program's
resurrection by Governor Jerry Brown as a
And what will these young people get out of
state project aimed at providing part of the
it? Well, aside from the pay - minimal, to be
answer to his question: "How do you take people
sure- and the hard work, the Corps should be a
who are on islands of despair and move them
training ground that will inculcate a sense of
into the mainstream?"
discipline and responsibility. These are qualities
most of them lack - and are vital in helping
Now a municipal version of the CCC, the San
them get a future job.
Francisco Conservation Corps, has gotten under
way with remarkably little fanfare considering
The local CCC program is unusual in that it
the fact that it is the only such city group in the
is an independent, non-profit corporation. The
United States. Mayor Koch of New York, the
city is providing $580,000 from emergency jobs
notoriously opinionated — and street smart --
funds, and the rest of the program's million-dol-
leader of this country's ultimate urban chal-
lar budget has come from the private sector:
lenge, is sending out four of his representatives
Standard Oil of California, the Bank of America
to see just how San Francisco does it.
and the Cowell, Hewlett-Packard and San Fran-
cisco Foundations have all provided funds.
When they arrive, in addition to meeting
with Mayor Dianne Feinstein, who provided
This brings us to an important point. Cur-
strong leadership for the project, they would do
rently pending in the U.S. Senate is that body's
well to talk to Court of Appeals Justice J. Antho-
version of H.R. 999 by Representative John Sei-
berling, D-Ohio, which would create an Ameri-
ny Kline, an articulate and energetic jurist con-
can Conservation Corps nationally. The Senate
sidered its "guiding spirit." Some time ago,
version's funding is unfortunately less than that
when Justice Kline was sitting on the superior
in the Seiberling bill, which passed the House by
bench and presiding over juvenile court, he was
an overwhelming vote of 301-87 last year. This
struck with the dismaying problem of what to
would mean some money for San Francisco
do for these kids who came from broken homes,
project. But more important is the principle of
had little talent to improve, or motivation to
establishing a national Corps. Senate Energy
work - and showed up in the courts again and
Committee Chairman James A. McClure, R-Ida-
again.
ho, would do well to ask for a floor vote. The bill
also deserves support from the White House.
*
After all, the one New Deal measure that Re.
THE SAN FRANCISCO Conservation
publican Alf Landon supported when he made
Corps is something of an answer to that. This,
his ill-fated run at FDR in 1936 was the CCC. This
the country's first municipal youth job corps,
is a program that does something about a terri-
will be taking on young men and women and
ble waste in human lives.
paying them minimum wages. The major cur-
rent project is cleanup and beautification at
Twin Peaks.
"With all thy getting get understanding"
Forbes, August 15, 1983
Fact and Comment
By Malcolm S. Forbes, Editor-in-Chief
FOR MOST OF THE UNEMPLOYED, JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
are the only real answer. But that answer
New York's Democratic Senator Pat
is largely no answer for the vast percent
Moynihan and Maryland's Republican
age of young, inner-city unemployed,
Senator Mac Mathias are sponsoring a
i.e., blacks, Hispanics, Chicanos and oth-
Senate bill for a new conservation
er minorities. There is a potential an-
corps that would hire up to 100,000
swer, though, for those suffering this un-
unemployed youths at the minimum
vielding, embittering frustration.
wage to tackle such conservation
During the Depression's direful days
tasks. The House has already passed a
in the Thirties, one program that worked
bill of similar intent.
wondrously well was the Civilian Con-
The economy's recovery isn't going to
servation Corps. It employed around 3
meet the youth employment need that
million youngsters and lastingly en-
plagues virtually all our cities. With a
riched our land-as, for instance, in the
renewed Civilian Conservation Corps
planting of 1.3 billion trees.
Calif Conservation Corps worker
we can make a real beginning in tackling
Today we have a crying need for reforestation, for fire the problem. And with the work that corps volunteers
trails, for drainage and flood control, for rehabilitating city
could accomplish, they would richly enhance our environ-
parks and our national park system.
mental heritage.
FORBES, AUGUST 15, 1983