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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 66 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 66

   Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education 
                                 Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            February 17 (legislative day, February 16), 2017

   Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Portman, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Young, Mr. 
Bennet, Mr. Brown, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Boozman, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Casey, 
  Mr. Coons, Mr. Daines, Mr. Donnelly, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Enzi, Mr. Franken, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Isakson, Mr. 
King, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Peters, 
    Mr. Thune, Mr. Warner, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Rounds) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education 
                                 Month.

Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who are trained in skilled 
        professions;
Whereas, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, 80 percent of 
        respondents indicated a moderate to severe shortage of qualified skilled 
        production employees, including front-line workers such as machinists, 
        operators, craft workers, distributors, and technicians;
Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this preamble as ``CTE'') 
        ensures that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and 
        capable of holding jobs in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career 
        fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, 
        allied health, construction, information technology, energy 
        sustainability, and many other career fields that are vital in keeping 
        the United States competitive in the global economy;
Whereas CTE helps the United States meet the very real and immediate challenges 
        of economic development, student achievement, and global 
        competitiveness;
Whereas approximately 11,500,000 students are enrolled in CTE across the country 
        with CTE programs in thousands of CTE centers, comprehensive high 
        schools, career academies, and CTE high schools, and nearly 1,700 2-year 
        colleges;
Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the 3 fastest growing 
        occupations require an associate's degree or a degree with fewer 
        requirements, and each has an annual median salary greater than $50,000;
Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides 
        relevant academic and technical coursework leading to industry-
        recognized credentials for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners;
Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and 
        credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields;
Whereas CTE students were significantly more likely than non-CTE students to 
        report having developed problem-solving, project completion, research, 
        math, college application, work-related, communication, time management, 
        and critical thinking skills during high school;
Whereas students at schools with highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE 
        programs have significantly higher achievement in reading, mathematics, 
        and science than students at schools with less integrated programs; and
Whereas February 23, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Act 
        of February 23, 1917 (commonly known as the ``Smith-Hughes Vocational 
        Education Act of 1917'') (39 Stat. 929, chapter 114), which was the 
        first major Federal investment in secondary CTE and laid the foundation 
        for the bipartisan, bicameral support for CTE that continues as of 
        February 2017: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates February 2017 as ``Career and Technical 
        Education Month'' to celebrate career and technical education 
        across the United States;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical 
        Education month;
            (3) honors the 100th anniversary of the Act of February 23, 
        1917 (commonly known as the ``Smith-Hughes Vocational Education 
        Act of 1917'') (39 Stat. 929, chapter 114);
            (4) recognizes the importance of career and technical 
        education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in 
        the United States; and
            (5) encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to 
        promote career and technical education as an option for 
        students.
                                 <all>
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