He helped create jobs for youths

Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of Gov. Mike O'Callaghan. I encountered Mike while I was working at the national headquarters of the federal Job Corps in Washington, D.C., in 1965. Mike was then also working for the Job Corps, which was part of the "War on Poverty," and I was a staff member in the operations center.

Mike was a cheerful presence when he visited me daily and he was always devoted to the difficult job of establishing Job Corps centers around the country. He was an inspiration. Even almost 40 years afterward, I still remember his many contributions to enable disadvantaged youths to develop skills in many crafts. Today, because of the early dedication of people such as Mike, because of the solid foundation they created, such a worthy and successful opportunity for disadvantaged youths still exits. Job Corps is still thriving, with more than 100 centers nationwide.

I simply wanted to express my condolences, even though I live far away from Las Vegas.

FRED A. KAHN Bethesda, Md.

archive