[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2789-S2790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL ``MIKE'' BOURRET

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
outstanding career of a leader in workforce development in the State of 
Maine. Michael ``Mike'' Bourret, of Bailey Island, ME, is retiring 
after 36 years of professional experience in workforce development, 
most recently in his position as executive director of Coastal Counties 
Workforce, Inc. From his first days in the early 1980s as an employment 
counselor in western Maine, Mike has held a number of leadership 
positions in which he has developed greater access to--and 
opportunities for individuals in--workforce development programs.
  Mr. Bourret dedicated 12 years to the Maine Department of Labor, 
holding positions from employment and training director to special 
assistant to the commissioner. as director of the dislocated worker 
unit while at the department of labor, Mike recognized the flaws of a 
reactive government approach to plant closings and worker dislocation, 
leading Mike to promote a more proactive approach. This resulted in 
Mike assisting with the design of a new strategy to provide services 
for these workers. His guidance led to the development of the Maine 
CareerCenters, which provide employment and training services to 
individuals at no charge. In 1996, during my time as Governor, Mike 
helped establish the Governor's training initiative, GTI, to provide 
employers with the financial support to expand training for their 
employees and improve retention of their workers. GTI was recognized 
for its success, and the following year, I awarded Mike the Governor's 
Teamwork Award for his dedication to implementing projects to improve 
Maine's economy and workforce. To date, GTI has helped over 20,000 
Maine workers.
  In 1998, the Workforce Investment Act, WIA, was passed, and Mike 
brought together State and local parties to organize a new regionally 
based workforce design in Maine, promoting a more customer-focused 
approach in Federal job training programs. Under WIA, Mike established 
Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., in 2000, where he served as executive 
director for 18 years, administering over $98 million dollars for the 
organization. The Coastal Counties Workforce Board region today spans 
six coastal counties and has received over 1.3 million customer visits 
to its centers. Over 40,000 Mainers have received essential career and 
training services, with 82 percent entering employment. These services 
have improved the well-being of Maine residents, including assisting 
some of our most vulnerable neighbors in finding meaningful employment, 
while supporting local businesses with skilled workers.
  Due to Mike's commitment to workforce development and ability to 
secure funding for a variety of workforce initiatives and training 
programs throughout the years, there has been continued expansion of 
employment and training services for the residents of Maine. His 
ability to coordinate programs and foster partnerships was a critical 
factor in his success, whether it be at the local, State, or national 
level. As a champion of workforce development, I join with his 
colleagues, friends, and the people of Maine in thanking Mike for his 
unwavering service to the workforce of our State.

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