Houston Jobs Fair

A July 26, 2009 Houston Chronicle article authored by Chronicle reporter Allen Reed states that thousands of out-of-work Houstonians stood in line for hours in 90-degree heat as they attempted to land a government job.  According to the article, ambulances were called to carry away a handful of job-hunters who were overcome by the heat, crowds and wait.  The Houston federal job fair was hosted by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and sought to bring home government jobs created by President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan.  As stated in the article, more than 3,100 people attended and hundreds lined up outside the building.  The turn out was reportedly double the number expected.  Sheila Jackson Lee said the turnout was overwhelming and she plans to hold a second job’s fair in the fall.  She also said that Houston is facing its largest level of unemployment since 1987 and that Houstonians looking for work should keep an open mind about relocating.  In this regard, the article reported that the Houston area lost 69,600 jobs between June 2008 and June 2009.