U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover) anticipated tough times for Ohio families during the upcoming holiday season in a column the Congressman issued to the press responding to the latest unemployment numbers.

Ohio’s jobless rate was at 7.3 percent in October. Ohio’s November numbers will not be released until later this month.

The U.S. lost 533,000 jobs in November, bringing the U.S. jobless rate to 6.7 percent, up from 6.5 percent in October. The increase represents the highest jobless rate in 15 years.

“Losing a job is never an easy thing to endure, but it is even a little harder when that layoff happens around the holidays,” Space wrote in response to the numbers. “Unfortunately, over half a million more Americans joined the ranks of the unemployed last month. There is no doubt that this Christmas is going to be one of the hardest in decades. Families are losing their health insurance, struggling to heat their homes, and turning to charity organizations, in many cases, to put food on the table.”

Space said he had heard the stories of his constituents, some of whom have told him that they’ve had to tell their children that there will be fewer gifts under the tree.

“It deeply saddens me to think about children waking up to nothing because the economy is so bad that their parents cannot find work,” Space wrote.

But Space said that while there is no “magic bullet fix,” he believes “swift action” can be taken to help alleviate the crisis.

“I have been working with House leadership to develop a new economic stimulus plan that places the focus on jobs and infrastructure development,” Space wrote. “We have many road and building projects in Ohio that are ready to go and simply awaiting funding [so] that we can put thousands of people to work very quickly. We also desperately need to develop our broadband infrastructure. These are investments in our long-term economic prospects that can put people to work almost immediately.”

Space also said that relief can be brought to middle class families by reducing their tax burden and extending unemployment insurance coverage.

“A recent report has certified what we in Southeastern Ohio have known for a long time: we are in a recession,” Space wrote. “But I know we will pull through. It is that great Buckeye spirit of drive and determination that will get our economy moving again. I know together we will accomplish great things, and with some hard work and a little luck, next Christmas will hopefully be more joyful.”