IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 993 

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

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 1, 2024 

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. MANN, Mrs. 

TRAHAN, Mr. VALADAO, Ms. ADAMS, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. 

THOMPSON of California, Mr. TONKO, Mr. COSTA, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. SMUCKER, Mr. CARTER of Texas, Mr. MORELLE, Mr. WITTMAN, 

Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. TRONE, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, 

Mr. DESAULNIER, Ms. CRAIG, Mr. BOST, Mr. VAN ORDEN, Mr. MAGAZINER, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. STEIL, and Ms. KUSTER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 

the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Career and Technical 

Education Month’’. 

Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who 

are prepared for skilled professions; 

Whereas not fewer than 17,000,000 new workers will be 

needed to support the infrastructure sector of the United 

States in the next decade, including to design, build, and 

operate transportation, housing, utilities, and telecommunications; 

Whereas current global economic uncertainty and volatility 

have fundamentally shifted entire industries within 


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•HRES 993 IH 

foundational sectors of the economy of the United States, 

creating significant demands for high-quality and efficient educational opportunities to ensure a quick and equitable recovery; 

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 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 in the United States, more than half of all jobs require some level of postsecondary education, but less than 

a bachelor’s degree; 

Whereas more than 12,000,000 students are enrolled in CTE 

across the United States at the secondary and postsecondary levels, with CTE programs in thousands of comprehensive high schools, area technical centers, career 

academies, and nearly 1,000 2-year colleges; 

Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides relevant academic and technical 

coursework leading to credentials of value for secondary, 

postsecondary, and adult learners; 

Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to cultivate 

the knowledge and skills to earn the credentials needed 

to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields; 

Whereas secondary CTE is associated with a lower probability of dropping out of high school and a higher likelihood of graduating on time; 


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•HRES 993 IH 

Whereas, according to an American Federation of Teachers 

poll, 94 percent of parents approve of expanding access 

to CTE and other programs that prepare students for 

jobs; 

Whereas students at schools with highly-integrated, rigorous 

academic and CTE programs, are significantly more likely to meet college and career readiness benchmarks than 

students at schools with less integrated programs; 

Whereas in 2018, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE 

by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Public Law 115–224; 

132 Stat. 1563), which supports investment and program 

improvement in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto 

Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and outlying 

areas; and 

Whereas February 23, 2024, marks the 107th anniversary of 

the signing of the Act of February 23, 1917 (39 Stat. 

929, commonly known as the ‘‘Smith-Hughes Vocational 

Education Act of 1917’’), 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 2024: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Career and 

3 Technical Education Month’’ to celebrate career and 

4 technical education across the United States; 

5 (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and 

6 Technical Education Month; 


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•HRES 993 IH 

1 (3) recognizes the importance of career and 

2 technical education in preparing a well-educated and 

3 skilled workforce in the United States; and 

4 (4) encourages educators, school counselors, 

5 guidance and career development professionals, ad6 ministrators, and parents to promote career and 

7 technical education as a respected educational path8 way for students. 

Æ 


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