[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CTE BILL A WIN FOR ALL AMERICANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak 
about the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st 
Century Act, which has seen unanimous support in both Chambers of 
Congress, something I hope continues today. I proudly championed this 
bill because I truly believe that passing it will be a win for 
students, for workers, and for every person in America.
  Mr. Speaker, America is ready for a win.
  In June 2017, the House unanimously passed this bill to strengthen 
career and technical education. On Monday, the Senate also approved it 
unanimously, and we are now just steps away from getting this critical 
legislation to the President's desk to be signed into law.
  This bill has been supported by House Education and the Workforce 
Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Ranking Member Bobby Scott. I 
thank them both. I want to thank the Democratic lead, Representative 
Raja Krishnamoorthi, and my CTE Caucus co-chairman, Representative Jim 
Langevin.
  House and Senate leaders have brought this legislation to their 
respective floors because they know it is an important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation aims to restore rungs on the ladder of 
opportunity, because all Americans deserve a good-paying, family-
sustaining job. Too often, we see students pushed down the college-for-
all pathway that just doesn't work for some people.
  But CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving 
students choose in pursuit of industry certifications and hands-on 
skills that they can use right out of high school in a skills-based 
education program or in college.
  By modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs, we will be 
able to connect more educators with industry stakeholders and close the 
skills gap in this country.
  Mr. Speaker, 6.7 million jobs, good jobs, are currently available 
because people need to be qualified to get them.
  In fact, today, right here in Washington, CTE will be highlighted. 
The House Education and the Workforce Committee has invited 24 
innovators from across the country for the bipartisan Innovation Forum 
and Showcase. Dedicated professionals will share with Congress and the 
public how they are addressing the Nation's education and workforce 
development changes.
  I am proud to count among these professionals Mr. Joe Luther from my 
district. Mr. Luther is the horticulture and landscaping instructor at 
the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, located 
in Pleasant Gap, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Luther uses hands-on instruction to inspire students to reach 
great heights and achieve success in life. He brings real-life 
scenarios into his classroom at every opportunity to show students what 
their future can be like in the workforce.
  I know every Member of this House wants to give every American, 
regardless of where they come from, the best opportunity to succeed. 
That is why I urge my colleagues to support the Strengthening Career 
and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act when it comes back to 
the floor today with the Senate amendment.
  This bill and the amendment will modernize the Federal role in our 
Nation's CTE program, which is long overdue; but, most importantly, it 
will restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity. It will inspire a new 
generation of builders and thinkers and makers and creators, and it 
will give every American a shot at the American Dream, which is 
opportunity and success in life.

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