of individual dignity and self-respect, and the aggravation of physical and mental illnesses. (D) Persisting unemployment and underemployment have devastating financial consequences for its victims, resulting in the loss of income and spending power for families, and interfering with their ability to save and accumulate assets for a secure family life and retirement. (E) Because disadvantaged population groups suffer the burdens and harmful consequences of unemployment with greater frequency and at higher levels than nondisadvantaged population groups, unemployment presents a virtually insurmountable barrier to the achievement of equal opportunity for all Americans. (F) Exceptionally high levels of unemployment among the Nation’s youth are particularly harmful because of their long-term negative effects. (G) High levels of unemployment and inadequate consumer demand also contribute to poor conditions for retail businesses, manufacturers, and many other firms to grow and prosper. (H) In the real estate sector, the Congress finds that high levels of unemployment contribute to foreclosures, evictions, and commercial vacancies, thereby undermining the quality of neighborhood and community life, and hampering prospects for the economic development of all the Nation’s neighborhoods and communities. (11) Since the historic promise of the Employment Act of 1946 and the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978 has not been realized, the Congress declares and reaffirms the Federal Government’s obligation to insure the availability of decent jobs for all at living wages. (12) The Congress further declares and reaffirms that the elimination of job disparities among groups of workers who experience chronically higher rates of unemployment and underemployment is an essential component of the Federal Government’s commitment to the achievement of full employment and the realization of the right to work. (13) The Congress also finds that both job vacancy surveys and historic experience shows that even at the top of the