[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 12802]]

                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              ADVANCED TECHNICAL CENTER, MEXICO, MISSOURI

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 
Advanced Technical Center in Mexico, Missouri.
  Back in 1997, several community and state leaders approached me 
regarding funding for the Advanced Technical Center, which at that time 
existed only on paper and in the minds of these leaders. I immediately 
had a certain affection for this project. First and foremost, this 
project would be located in my hometown of Mexico, Missouri. Second, 
the local leaders came to me with one of the most comprehensive 
partnerships that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The 
partners included Linn State Technical College, the University of 
Missouri, Moberly Area Community College, the Mexico Area Vocational 
and Technical School, the City of Mexico, and the State of Missouri. 
Third, the Advanced Technical Center would provide students with 
exceptional educational opportunities through highly specialized and 
advanced technical education and training at the certificate and degree 
levels in both emerging and traditional technologies.
  In the fall of 1997, the Senate approved and the President signed the 
appropriation bill providing $1 million in Federal funds for the 
Advanced Technical Center in Mexico, Missouri. The federal support 
recognized that the key to staying competitive in today's global 
marketplace is investing in education and training of our current and 
future workers. The federal funds, in conjunction with the local and 
state funds, made this project a reality.
  This Friday, June 18, 1999, the Advanced Technical Center will 
celebrate its Grand Opening. I am looking forward to being a part of 
the celebration. But, more importantly, I am proud to have been a 
participant in the successful partnership that has led to the creation 
of a model, state-of-the-art technical training and learning facility 
in my hometown of Mexico, MO.

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