[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 166 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RESTORE, REBUILD, RENEW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, our country has 
undoubtably been rocked by coronavirus. The pandemic has put a strain 
on our physical, mental, and financial health.
  As time has passed, it has been easy to focus on the negative; 
however, I am encouraged by the work I have seen from my House 
Republican colleagues.
  Instead of playing partisan politics, I have seen a commitment to 
America. I have seen a concerted effort to renew the American Dream, 
restore our way of life, and rebuild the greatest economy ever.
  America is worth fighting for, and while the pandemic is currently at 
the forefront of our minds, there is a bright future ahead of us all. 
We will rise from this crisis thanks to the resiliency, the grit, and 
the determination of the American people.
  Renewing the American Dream can mean a lot of different things. To 
me, it starts with two things: broadband connectivity and a capable, 
trained workforce.
  In 21st century America, reliable connectivity is something many of 
us take for granted. Just like flipping the switch to turn on your 
lights, we have come to expect reliable, fast, uninterrupted access to 
the internet.
  Still, many communities across the country don't have reliable 
broadband connectivity, particularly in rural America.
  In time, the coronavirus will be a thing of the past, but our 
national need for reliable broadband connectivity is not going 
anywhere. Connectivity impacts every aspect of our lives: commerce, 
education, healthcare, precision agriculture, and more. We can and must 
invest in this critical infrastructure.
  We must also invest in career and technical education opportunities.
  Just prior to the pandemic, there were nearly 7 million job openings 
across the country. Contrasting that figure with the potential of our 
Nation's learners, whether they are entering the workforce for the 
first time, learning a new skill, or reentering the workforce after 
some time away, there is an obvious disconnect. This is often referred 
to as the ``skills gap,'' and CTE is a proven way to bridge this 
divide.
  A one-size-fits-all approach to education is not an effective way to 
prepare students for the workforce, and CTE should not be viewed as 
plan B. It is a valuable educational option that empowers learners of 
all ages to take control of their personal and their professional 
futures.
  Restoring our way of life includes defeating this virus and keeping 
America healthy. Thanks to President Trump's leadership, Operation Warp 
Speed has placed us light-years ahead in researching, developing, and, 
soon, administering a coronavirus vaccine. The President has unleashed 
the power of the private sector to partner with the Department of 
Health and Human Services, as well as the Department of Defense, to 
help eradicate the virus.
  Prior to the pandemic, we had built the greatest economy this country 
has ever seen, and we will rebuild it. We have done it once, and we can 
do it again with America-first trade policies and by strengthening our 
supply chain--that means a strong manufacturing sector that helps 
America stay competitive--and supporting legislation that strengthens 
the supply chain and bolsters our Nation's potential for a prosperous 
future by keeping good-paying, family-sustaining jobs right here at 
home.
  Now I am confident that we can and will defeat this virus and renew 
the American Dream, restore our way of life, and rebuild our economy.

                          ____________________