[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1007-H1010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1615
                  CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 930) supporting the goals and ideals of 
``Career and Technical Education Month,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 930

       Whereas there are over 15,000,000 secondary and 
     postsecondary career and technical education students in the 
     United States;
       Whereas nationwide, there are over 10,000 secondary high 
     schools and career tech centers and over 9,000 postsecondary 
     institutions offering career and technical education 
     programs;
       Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers 
     trained in skilled professions;
       Whereas career and technical education plays a crucial role 
     in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in 
     America;

[[Page H1008]]

       Whereas career and technical education prepares students 
     for all of the 20 fastest growing occupations identified by 
     the U.S. Department of Labor;
       Whereas according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, nearly 
     75 percent of employers report severe conditions when trying 
     to hire qualified workers and 40 percent say that applicants 
     are poorly skilled;
       Whereas students taking career and technical education 
     courses have higher grade point averages in college, are less 
     likely to drop out in high school and college, and have 
     better employment and earnings outcomes than other students;
       Whereas, in 2006, Congress reauthorized with bipartisan 
     support the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
     Act, which provides states with Federal resources to support 
     career and technical education programs; and
       Whereas the Association for Career and Technical Education 
     has designated February as ``Career and Technical Education 
     Month'' to celebrate career and technical education across 
     the country: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical 
     Education month;
       (2) recognizes the importance of career and technical 
     education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce 
     in America; and
       (3) encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to 
     promote career and technical education as an option to 
     students.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 930 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. COURTNEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 930, which will designate February 2008 as ``Career and 
Technical Education Month'' and recognize the important role career and 
technical education plays in the instruction of America's students.
  Today, over 15 million students participate in career and technical 
education programs. Career and technical education programs offer 
diverse courses in subject areas that support the development of a 
competitive economy, and the courses are constantly evolving to meet 
the needs of the global market. For example, the Cisco Networking 
Academy has focused on giving students across the Nation hands-on 
activities within its 18 programs to prepare students for career 
opportunities in telecommunications and continuing their education.
  Another such institution is Marshall Academy. This CTE program at 
this Fairfax, Virginia, high school strives to expose students to 
various career paths through a full line of technical and professional 
courses. Classes in business management, auto services, criminal 
justice, and culinary arts are bolstered through business partnerships 
with companies such as Microsoft, Sheridan Hotels, and Ford Motor 
Company. Career and technical programs like these are responsive to the 
business needs of the community and set students on a successful path 
for the future. These programs can be found throughout communities 
across the country and are integral to ensuring America's place in the 
global economy through the integration of science, math, and literacy 
in technical course work.
  The success of CTE can be seen in the data that we have in students 
who participate in CTE courses. We know that students who take career 
and technical education courses are more likely to stay in school and, 
while there, obtain higher grade point averages than their peers. And 
we also know that when a course combines rigorous academic content with 
technical subject matter, students are encouraged to actively engage 
with their studies.
  Additionally, career and technical education programs are an 
effective means of linking high schools with community colleges. These 
links introduce students to future learning opportunities and ease the 
transition to a post-secondary education.
  Lastly, programs such as these help foster a highly educated and 
skilled workforce through internships, job shadowing, and other 
cooperative work experiences. These courses provide a foundation of 
skills that prepare students for gainful employment in the United 
States.
  Studies have shown that students who participate in career and 
technical education programs have better employment opportunities and 
earn more than their general education counterparts.
  I am encouraged by the many gains students have made through career 
and technical education programs and believe that a skilled workforce 
is paramount when competing in a global economy. In my district, there 
are four CTE school programs and I think like all Members across the 
country, they are extremely impressive institutions with great 
committed faculty and students who are totally motivated and engaged in 
the special skills that they have the opportunity to get a head start 
in terms of their future job growth and their job opportunities.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Career and 
Technical Education Month, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 930, which supports the 
goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month.
  Eighty-five years after the passage of the first piece of Federal 
vocational education legislation, career and technical education 
continues to evolve from its original and sole focus of preparing 
students for work immediately following high school.
  Today, the goal of career and technical education is to empower 
students to participate effectively in an international economy. Career 
and technical education programs contribute to broad educational 
achievements of students. These programs may include classes in basic 
skills, but also higher level skills, such as the ability to utilize 
technology, the ability to think creatively, solve problems, and the 
ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  Career and technical education is offered in middle school, high 
school, 2-year community and technical colleges, as well as other post-
secondary schools. And career and technical education is designed to 
prepare high school students to transition successfully to post-
secondary education. It is also designed to help college students 
acquire the skills and knowledge that are needed to find gainful 
employment. And it is designed to help workers acquire job skills in 
new fields or to refresh skills in their existing career path.
  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18 of the 20 
fastest growing occupations within the next decade will require career 
and technical education. And according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 
40 percent of employers report that job applicants need better skills 
in this area.
  Career and technical education programs are an integral part of the 
public education system and are designed to educate for careers. Career 
and technical education prepares students for more than just a good-
paying job; it is the beginning of a career path. And in today's 
workforce and economy, it is essential that students and workers remain 
life-long learners because the cutting edge skills don't remain cutting 
edge for long. Access to formal and informal training opportunities is 
critical to remain competitive. Career and technical education programs 
are the solution for securing this type of training.
  Today's career and technical education programs are increasingly 
incorporating rigorous and challenging academic content standards. They 
provide a non-duplicative sequence of courses leading to an industry-
recognized credential or certificate, or an associate or baccalaureate 
degree.
  The programs of study offered through career and technical education 
are essential for our students and our workforce. For these reasons I 
stand in support of Career and Technical Education Month.
  With that, I also thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird)

[[Page H1009]]

for introducing this bill. At some time I would hope he would answer 
whether skiing is considered part of career and technical education in 
his bill. And I ask my colleagues, in the bipartisan spirit that 
permeates our committee, to support this bill as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Baird) as much time as he shall consume.
  Mr. BAIRD. I thank my friends and colleagues from Connecticut and 
Utah. The reference was I had the privilege of graduating from the 
University of Utah where, to some degree, I majored in skiing, and for 
me it was a career and technical path.
  I am pleased to be here today to speak in support of H. Res. 930, a 
resolution introduced by myself and my good friend from Pennsylvania, 
Phil English.
  The resolution supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical 
Education Month, which we are celebrating this month of February. This 
resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for 
the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month, 
recognizes the importance of career and technical education in 
preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce, and encourages 
educators, counselors, and administrators to promote career and 
technical education as an option to students.
  Our country is currently facing a growing problem of not having 
enough qualified workers to fill high-demand jobs. Across the Nation, 
employers are facing difficulties in finding skilled employees. Indeed, 
one survey showed that nearly 75 percent of employers report severe 
difficulties trying to hire qualified workers. Career and technical 
education provides students with the skills they need to find 
employment in skilled professions and to compete in a growing and 
competitive global economy.
  Career and technical education also helps students receive and 
complete their education. Those who participate in these programs have 
higher grade point averages in college and are less likely to drop out. 
In fact, according to the Department of Labor, career and technical 
education prepares students for all of the 20 fastest growing 
occupations in our Nation today.
  Career and technical education is also unique in the way it engages 
students in their learning. I visited skill centers in my district, 
including the Clark County Skills Center and the New Market Skills 
Center in Thurston County last year, and I found students genuinely 
interested and involved in the classroom and in their education. 
Indeed, in my school visits, it is not at all uncommon to go to one, 
apparently, academic class, where students seem disinterested or maybe 
bored with their course of study. You encounter them somewhat later in 
the career and tech courses, and they're motivated, enlightened and 
enthused. Indeed, I could well imagine a young person saying they have 
no concern at all for what the Pythagorean Theorem is; A squared plus B 
squared equals C squared doesn't mean anything to them until they 
realize that's how you frame a roof, and that suddenly has relevance.
  I believe the Federal Government needs to focus more attention and 
resources on career and technical education. The Federal Government 
funds career and tech ed through the Perkins Act, which is the primary 
source of funding for career and technical education at the local 
level. Unfortunately, as we debate this resolution on the House floor, 
the administration has once again proposed eliminating funding for 
these programs. In fact, the Perkins grant program has not received a 
substantial increase in funding since 2002. I am hopeful we will not 
only honor career and technical education today, but work in the months 
ahead to restore funding for these very important programs.
  I want to applaud the Association for Career and Technical Education 
for its efforts. I also want to recognize the more than 15 million 
students currently involved in career and technical education in this 
country, and the more than 19,000 institutions that are presently 
offering career and technical education programs nationwide.
  Those folks who are studying and teaching in career and tech programs 
should know that they have friends and allies here in the Congress. In 
fact, last year I joined my colleague from Pennsylvania in creating the 
Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. This bipartisan 
group is working to raise awareness of the benefits of career and 
technical education in Congress and to support funding and policies to 
benefit career and technical education.
  I would urge my fellow Members to join the caucus and work with us to 
expand and strengthen career and technical education in this country.
  Finally, I would just offer a suggestion to my friends and colleagues 
in this institution and those colleagues who happen to be running for 
President. We often, in our political speeches, say things like, we 
want to make college education more affordable. Well, as a former 
college instructor and a chair of the department, I believe we ought to 
make college education more affordable, but I would encourage all of us 
to insert the words ``career and technical education'' when we talk 
about supporting education in this country. We should make career and 
technical education every bit as high a priority, as high in prestige, 
and as fully supported financially as we endeavor to do with college 
education.
  With that, I would like to close by thanking again the chairman of 
the committee, Chairman Miller, and Ranking Member McKeon. And I would 
also like to thank my good colleagues who spoke on this issue today. I 
look forward to working with them on issues relating to career and tech 
education, and I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 930, and 
especially in support of Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  In my district, Mr. Speaker, there is a huge need for high-skilled 
workers, and Indiana Tech plays a critical role in helping our region 
meet this demand. Each year Indiana Tech provides thousands of students 
opportunities to ``skill up,'' so that they can better contribute to 
local employers and better provide for their families.
  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the top 20 fastest-growing 
occupations in our country are supplied by career and technical 
education. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that nearly three-
quarters of employers struggle to hire qualified workers. Clearly the 
need for career and technical education is severe, and we in Congress 
must do what we can to encourage its growth.
  In northeast Indiana--as in the rest of the country--a high quality 
education is critical to obtaining a good, well-paying job. While 
northeast Indiana is still a manufacturing center of the country, these 
jobs are becoming increasingly more high-tech and require higher levels 
of skills and training. Schools like Indiana Tech are helping prepare 
students for these changes.
  Mr. Speaker, as competition in our global economy continues to grow 
more fierce, career and technical education is essential to preparing a 
well-educated, skilled workforce. I ask that my colleagues join with me 
in expressing support for Indiana Tech and schools like it. They are 
critical to the future of northeast Indiana, and they are critical to 
the future of our country.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 930, supporting the goals and ideas of Career and Technical 
Education Month, introduced by my distinguished colleague from 
Washington, Representative Baird. This important piece of legislation 
expands the pathways to social and economic mobility, for more people 
in this country.
  Career and technical education is a substantial enterprise in this 
country. Thousands of comprehensive high schools, vocational and 
technical high schools, area vocational centers, and community colleges 
offer career and technical education programs. Virtually every high 
school student takes at least one career and technical education 
course, and one in four students takes three or more courses in a 
single program area. One-third of college students are involved in 
career and technical programs, and as many as 40 million adults engage 
in short-term postsecondary occupational training.
  Eighty-five years after the passage of the first piece of Federal 
vocational education legislation, career and technical education is 
evolving from its original and sole focus on preparing students for 
work immediately following high school. Today's career and technical 
education programs increasingly incorporate rigorous and challenging 
academic

[[Page H1010]]

content standards and provide a nonduplicative sequence of courses 
leading to an industry-recognized credential or certificate, or an 
associate or bachelor's degree.
  In my district, we have several vocational and technical schools and 
programs such as the Bradford School, ITT Technical Institute, Everest 
Institute, Remington College at Houston, and American Intercontinental 
University in Houston. Each of these schools and programs is committed 
to providing the skills and technical knowledge necessary for entry-
level employment positions in business and industry.
  Career and technical education is about helping students, workers, 
and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their working potential. 
First and foremost it's about high school and college education that 
provides students with: (1) academic subject matter taught with 
relevance to the real world, often called contextual learning, (2) 
second-chance education and training for the unemployed and those 
seeking to upgrade their employability skills, and (3) corporate 
training, continuing education, skills upgrades and refresher courses 
for those already in the workplace.
  I join Congressman Baird in raising awareness about the increased 
need for career and tech programs that will better prepare and train 
America's growing workforce. I have long supported education 
initiatives that not only seek to educate, but to also inspire 
entrepreneurship. I support this legislation and I urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Just to close, Mr. Speaker, again, Congressman Baird, 
who is a passionate advocate on this issue, I think said it all. For 
all the reasons that he stated and Mr. Bishop from Utah, I would urge 
all Members to support this resolution and its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 930, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________