[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IMPORTANCE OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

  (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, as co-chairman of the 
bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I rise today to 
emphasize the importance of quality CTE programs, which allow students 
to succeed in areas that keep our Nation competitive in the global 
economy.
  Last week, I visited a lab at Penn State University, where three-
dimensional printers were used to create parts for a wide variety of 
industries, including those which support our national defense. These 
students are also among those leading the way in creating metal parts 
which once could only be fabricated at powdered metal plants.
  I was also proud to see very similar programs being offered at the 
high school level. I spoke to the superintendent of the St. Marys 
School District in Elk County and was pleased to learn that students at 
St. Marys High School are graduating with many of the skills needed to 
succeed in these growing vocational and technical fields.
  I am hopeful that with the next reauthorization of the Carl D. 
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act we can enhance the 
partnerships that bridge the gap between our high schools, technical 
schools, colleges, universities, and employers.

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