[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7970-H7971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORT FOR BE PRO BE PROUD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, workforce development programs are spreading 
across the country because of organizations like Be Pro Be Proud.
  In March of 2016, Be Pro Be Proud was launched by the Arkansas 
Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas to serve 
the future leaders of America's workforce more effectively.
  Thanks to Be Pro Be Proud, more young people know that they can find 
a good-paying job and have a successful career without going to 
college. They have learned that there are alternatives to a 
baccalaureate degree--alternatives that can produce equal, if not 
better, outcomes.
  In June of this year, I had the privilege of traveling to Arkansas 
and attending the national Be Pro Be Proud conference alongside 
Representative French Hill and Senator John Boozman.
  The progress that has been achieved to date by this organization is 
remarkable, and in the realm of workforce development, its gains are 
second to none.
  In February of this year, officials in North Carolina signed a 
contract that established a Be Pro Be Proud pilot program within the 
State. This is wonderful news indeed.
  As you can probably tell, Mr. Speaker, this is truly a State-led 
effort that is a model to other States and becoming a national 
movement, and it is one that is a force to be reckoned with.
  States need to know that the power is in their hands to implement 
strong and effective workforce development programs. They need to know 
that they, in fact, are in the driver's seat.
  I thank everyone who has worked so diligently to make Be Pro Be Proud 
what it is today. The work they are doing will go on to leave a 
positive impact on America's future leaders for generations to come.


                     Americans Are Not Celebrating

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it is no wonder the American people believe 
that Washington is out of touch. Last week President Biden held an 
event on the White House lawn to celebrate the so-called Inflation 
Reduction Act.
  He took a victory lap in front of the entire country alongside his 
allies on live television.
  But, Mr. Speaker, do you know who was not celebrating with President 
Biden?
  Hardworking taxpayers and their families who are being pummeled by 
the President's inflation catastrophe and inflation tax. That same day, 
new numbers were released showing that inflation continues to surge.
  Mr. Speaker, President Biden couldn't read a room if he tried. The 
rising cost of goods and services will cost the average American 
household over $700 a month. When added up, that is over $8,000 that 
they will be forced to fork out in a year.
  Grocery prices are up 13.5 percent, and food prices are up 11.4 
percent since last year. This is the largest 1-year increase in prices 
since 1979.
  Mr. Speaker, anyone who believes that these numbers are worth 
celebrating needs a serious reality check. The Biden administration's 
fiscal irresponsibility put us in this mess. Come

[[Page H7971]]

November, Republicans will be the ones to fix it.

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