[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 366) to 
     amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education 
     Act of 1998 to strengthen and improve programs under that 
     Act:

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 366, 
the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act. I want to 
commend my esteemed colleague, Mr. Castle, for his leadership on 
educational issues and particularly for sponsoring this important 
legislation.
  Vocational and technical education is critically important in 
American Samoa. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, only 13 percent of 
18 to 24 year-olds were enrolled in college classes, leaving a large 
number of the Territory's youth out of school, but unprepared for the 
skilled labor market.
  In order for American Samoa to continue our economic development, our 
youth need skills training in construction skills, including carpentry, 
welding, and electrical engineering. We need architects, engineers and 
auto mechanics. The funding H.R. 366 provides will allow American Samoa 
to give our people the necessary skills to compete in this economy.
  I support this legislation and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor 
of H.R. 366.

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