[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING FRANK GULLUNI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Frank 
Gulluni on being honored with the Tom Ahlers Systems Building Award 
presented by the National Association of Workforce Development 
Professionals on May 17, 2011.
  For 49 years, Frank has played a key role in the workforce 
development and educational community, touching the lives of countless 
students. In his position at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, 
Connecticut, he has been a leading force in preparing and training 
students for careers in our manufacturing sector. And, using his unique 
experience on the front lines of education, he has been a driver in our 
community towards finding unique ways to connect the needs of our 
manufacturing sector with the skills of our students.
  Since 2007, I have been proud to work with Frank in advancing his 
goals of investing in our nation's manufacturing capabilities, helping 
those who have lost their jobs re-train for new careers, and lay the 
ground work for a workforce highly skilled in advanced manufacturing of 
alternate energy technologies and medical devices.
  With his leadership guiding the way, Frank and I worked to 
successfully secure critical funding to expand Asnuntuck's 
Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC). Thanks to this initiative, new 
equipment and training services were developed to ensure that the MTC 
continues to keep pace with the emerging needs of his students and the 
manufacturing skills they need to fill the jobs of today--and tomorrow.
  I have been so impressed and excited with Frank's results. Thanks in 
large part to Frank's efforts, Asnuntuck Community College has secured 
a 90% job placement rate for its students. When I visited the MTC last 
November, I heard first-hand from the students that the newly expanded 
center allow the program to continue to grow and expand to allow more 
services to students enrolled both at the college and those in local K-
12 schools that partner with Asnuntuck. I also heard graduates of the 
program are found to be earning 40% more than their counterparts in all 
other industries.
  Mr. Speaker, simply put Frank is someone who ``gets it.'' When so 
many simply lament the decline of American manufacturing and the skills 
mismatch between the training of current workers and the needs of 
industry, Frank has taken action. He is a passionate believer in 
manufacturing and education. He truly understands the unique struggles 
of our laid off and dislocated workers as they seek to transition to 
new careers. He has built the kinds of partnerships with industries 
that has ensured that his students on to rewarding and meaningful 
careers in furthering our manufacturing sector. And, Frank has been a 
true leader in underscoring the unique value that our community 
colleges play in training the workforce of the future that will be the 
backbone of our nation's economy.
  Connecticut, New England, and our nation are no doubt better off 
thanks to Frank's tireless work. For that, I urge all my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Frank for winning the Tom Ahlers Systems Building 
Award.

                          ____________________