U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee - Larry E. Craig, Chairman - Jade West, Staff Director
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July 24, 2002

Republicans Are The Party of Compassion

How Welfare Reform Helped Tracy from Florida

In 1996, Republicans reformed welfare and lifted millions of Americans out of poverty. Even more compelling than the statistics, however, are the stories of the individual Americans whose lives were turned around by Republican welfare reforms.

While studying to complete courses for her high school diploma, Tracy Kyles entered the Welfare-To-Work Program in April 2000. Tracy was supporting three children and working part-time in food services for the local schools. Tracy had to rely exclusively on the local bus service or her friends and family to transport her around town.

Tracy wanted to escape welfare and set a positive example for her children, but any job located outside of the bus route would be out of her reach. With very little work experience, no high school diploma and limited transportation, Tracy needed public assistance or she would be forced to continue relying on the welfare system. In May 2000, Tracy received a Welfare Transition Transportation Needs Based Grant that helped her buy a car, which enabled her to apply for previously inaccessible jobs. With a car, Tracy's work hours and work place no longer limited her to what the county transit system allowed.

Tracy eventually was laid off from her part-time job, but found employment very quickly as a direct response representative for a local teleservice company. She moved her family out of public housing and started to utilize local vocational services. By August of 2000, Tracy had left the Welfare-to-Work program and no longer required public assistance. The car grant assisted Tracy immensely in finding employment that would lead to her becoming self-sufficient.

For 30 years, Democrats fought a losing War on Poverty. Thanks to a Republican Congress, America is finally winning that war.


Adapted from information provided by the office of Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL)

[The underlined text indicates hyperlinks in the electronic version of this RPC paper.]

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