As we celebrate our first Labor Day of the 21st Century, we must reflect on the great contribution that America's working men and women have made to our country's prosperity and strength. They built this country, ensured our security and stamped their imprint on America's character. We are facing a new century with new challenges, and it is important that we carry this character of hard work and discipline into our new endeavors. Our biggest challenge is our ability to adapt, on numerous fronts, to the information technology revolution.
Education is vitally important.
We must ensure that our children leave school with the tools they need to excel in high-skilled jobs. They must be prepared for the global competition that faces us in today's economy. Because economic growth can be significantly hindered if there are unmet labor demands in our communities, it is very important to let the hi-tech and business communities know that Pennsylvania understands the new economy and that Pennsylvania's workers are ready for the challenge. The responsibility of local, state and federal legislators is to ensure that we encourage economic growth and job creation by supporting new opportunities for our communities. The EDA was established for the purpose of generating jobs, helping to retain existing jobs, and stimulating industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed communities.