[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15516]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JERRY CLUPPER AS HE IS AWARDED THE 2016 AMERICAN MANUFACTURING 
                     HALL OF FAME LEADERSHIP AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the New Haven Manufacturers Association and the many family, 
friends, and colleagues who have gathered as Jerry Clupper, Executive 
Director of the Association, is honored with the 2016 American 
Manufacturing Hall of Fame Leadership Award. For more than two decades, 
Jerry has played an integral role in advancing manufacturing, as an 
industry and a career path and this award is a reflection of all of his 
good work.
  Owner of Process Services, LLC and Executive Director of the New 
Haven Manufacturing Association for the last fifteen years, there are 
few who devoted as much time and energy to advocating for manufacturing 
in our state. Manufacturing has grown in so many ways yet too many hold 
tight to the stereotypical images of grimy factory floors and workers 
faces stained with grease and dirt. No one has worked harder to change 
that image than Jerry. He has spent countless hours meeting with his 
fellow manufacturers, collaborating with high school and college 
educators, and advocating for changes in the halls of Connecticut's 
General Assembly. From workforce development to investment in 
manufacturing, Jerry has and continues to be a catalyst for change--
strengthening relationships between the community and the industry and 
inspiring a new generation of manufacturers.
  I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to extend a personal 
note of thanks to Jerry. Over the years, he has helped myself and my 
staff on a variety of projects. He has joined me at local technical 
high schools to look at ways Congress can support skills training that 
better prepares students for local manufacturing jobs. We have visited 
community colleges where he has helped to develop curriculums for 
advanced manufacturing degrees that help those graduates meet the 
changing needs of our manufacturing industry. And it was under his 
leadership that the New Haven Manufacturing Association and I developed 
the concept and legislation for the Manufacturing Reinvestment Act. He 
has been an invaluable resource and what began as a working 
collaborative has grown into a cherished friendship.
  Jerry Clupper has been a leader in Connecticut's manufacturing 
industry in every sense of the. word. His vision, dedication, and 
advocacy have renewed the spirit of an industry that has a long and 
proud Connecticut history. There is no one more deserving of being 
honored with the 2016 American Manufacturing Hall of Fame Leadership 
Award. I am honored to rise today to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations to Jerry on this very special and prestigious 
recognition.

                          ____________________