[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 993 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 993

  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Career and Technical Education 
                                Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 1, 2024

Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Mann, Mrs. 
 Trahan, Mr. Valadao, Ms. Adams, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Thompson 
    of California, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Costa, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. 
      Smucker, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Wittman, Mr. 
     Fitzpatrick, Mr. Trone, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. 
  DeSaulnier, Ms. Craig, Mr. Bost, Mr. Van Orden, Mr. Magaziner, Mr. 
Veasey, Mr. Steil, and Ms. Kuster) submitted the following resolution; 
   which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Career and Technical Education 
                                Month''.

Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who are prepared for 
        skilled professions;
Whereas not fewer than 17,000,000 new workers will be needed to support the 
        infrastructure sector of the United States in the next decade, including 
        to design, build, and operate transportation, housing, utilities, and 
        telecommunications;
Whereas current global economic uncertainty and volatility have fundamentally 
        shifted entire industries within foundational sectors of the economy of 
        the United States, creating significant demands for high-quality and 
        efficient educational opportunities to ensure a quick and equitable 
        recovery;
Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this preamble as ``CTE'') 
        ensures that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and 
        capable of holding jobs in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career 
        fields that are vital in keeping the United States competitive in the 
        global economy;
Whereas CTE helps the United States meet the very real and immediate challenges 
        of economic development, student achievement, and global 
        competitiveness;
Whereas in the United States, more than half of all jobs require some level of 
        postsecondary education, but less than a bachelor's degree;
Whereas more than 12,000,000 students are enrolled in CTE across the United 
        States at the secondary and postsecondary levels, with CTE programs in 
        thousands of comprehensive high schools, area technical centers, career 
        academies, and nearly 1,000 2-year colleges;
Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides 
        relevant academic and technical coursework leading to credentials of 
        value for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners;
Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to cultivate the knowledge and 
        skills to earn the credentials needed to secure careers in growing, 
        high-demand fields;
Whereas secondary CTE is associated with a lower probability of dropping out of 
        high school and a higher likelihood of graduating on time;
Whereas, according to an American Federation of Teachers poll, 94 percent of 
        parents approve of expanding access to CTE and other programs that 
        prepare students for jobs;
Whereas students at schools with highly-integrated, rigorous academic and CTE 
        programs, are significantly more likely to meet college and career 
        readiness benchmarks than students at schools with less integrated 
        programs;
Whereas in 2018, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the 
        Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act 
        (Public Law 115-224; 132 Stat. 1563), which supports investment and 
        program improvement in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs in all 
        50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States 
        Virgin Islands, and outlying areas; and
Whereas February 23, 2024, marks the 107th anniversary of the signing of the Act 
        of February 23, 1917 (39 Stat. 929, commonly known as the ``Smith-Hughes 
        Vocational Education Act of 1917''), which was the first major Federal 
        investment in secondary CTE and laid the foundation for the bipartisan, 
        bicameral support for CTE that continues as of February 2024: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Career and Technical 
        Education Month'' to celebrate career and technical education 
        across the United States;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical 
        Education Month;
            (3) recognizes the importance of career and technical 
        education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in 
        the United States; and
            (4) encourages educators, school counselors, guidance and 
        career development professionals, administrators, and parents 
        to promote career and technical education as a respected 
        educational pathway for students.
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