[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11395-11396]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 PASSAGE OF WORKFORCE TRAINING PACKAGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from

[[Page 11396]]

Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, we must achieve stronger 
economic growth, and we must train and educate Americans to succeed in 
a modern economy.
  Last year, the House advanced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing 
in Lifelong Skills, or SKILLS, Act, another House-passed jobs bill 
which reforms our Federal workforce development programs and will help 
Americans acquire the skills, education, and training that they need to 
climb the ladder of opportunity.
  Despite Senate Leader Reid's opposition to acting on any of the more 
than 40 House-passed jobs bills, we recently saw light at the end of 
the tunnel when movement began on a compromise package of Federal job 
training reforms. In late May, congressional leaders announced a 
bipartisan agreement on this package, which passed the Senate in June, 
and will be considered by the House today.
  As a member of the House Education Committee's Higher Education and 
Workforce Training Subcommittee, I am proud to have worked to help 
advance these commonsense reforms. I also want to thank my friend and 
colleague, subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, for her tireless work 
on this legislation.
  Job training is the best strategy and solution for opportunity and 
access to jobs. America's competitiveness depends on a qualified and 
trained workforce.


                      Remembering William R. Raup

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember 
William R. Raup.
  As we walk our way through life, many times we meet individuals who 
have an impact on our lives in significant ways. Bill Raup was such a 
person. He was a 1947 graduate of Sunbury High School and a 1951 
graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
  Bill was an Eagle Scout, and, following college, he worked as a Boy 
Scout executive in various locations, including the Juniata Valley 
Council that serves the Pennsylvania counties of Centre, Huntingdon, 
Mifflin, and Juniata. It was in this capacity that our paths crossed on 
the scouting trail in the 1970s.
  When I was a Scout growing up in the Juniata Valley Boy Scout 
Council, Bill was the council executive. As I advanced into youth 
leadership positions in the Council, I had the good fortune to work 
with Bill. His commitment and love for scouting was evident and 
continuous for more than 70 years.
  After ending his professional service with the Boy Scouts, he and his 
wife Ruth owned and operated the Awards Centre in State College and 
Recognition Engraving in Lewistown. He attended First United Methodist 
Church in Lewiston and was a member and past president of the Rotary 
Club of Lewistown.
  Bill lost a battle with Alzheimer's on June 10, after a lifetime of 
service to others. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, 
Kristin; and his son, Jeffrey.
  Happy trails, and well done, Scouter.

                          ____________________