[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise as cochairman of 
the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus to recognize 
National Career and Technical Education Month, celebrated each 
February.
  National CTE Month recognizes the contributions that career and 
technical education programs make to the American economy, along with 
the important work being done by CTE professionals and teachers.
  In today's competitive job market, high-paying, high-demand jobs 
require technical skills and training. CTE programs have been 
historically underutilized, yet, in an era of record high unemployment, 
these programs are the key to bridging the skills gap.
  CTE Month is also a time for policymakers to ask, are we doing enough 
to ensure individuals have the skills that will lead to a family-
sustaining job?
  Now, I know my fellow colleagues in the Career and Technical 
Education Caucus share these concerns. I was pleased to learn that 
Senators Rob Portman of Ohio and Tim Kaine of Virginia have followed 
suit and organized the Senate CTE Caucus, and I look forward to working 
with them and my House cochairman, Mr. Langevin of Rhode Island, as we 
continue to promote America's competitiveness through CTE programs.

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