Date: 2015-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me add my appreciation as well to be one of those Members who joined Mr. HOYER 5 years ago to emphasize that Make It In America is a double win. Make It In America. and we will make it in America. and that is what this message has been. I want to thank my good friend from California for leading this effort. I just want to read what many of our constituents appreciate as being part of this Make It In America. The fair trade concept. taxes. energy. labor. education. research. and infrastructure. all of these are part. if they work fairly for the working man and woman. I highlighted The Wall Street Journal earlier this year. 2014 marked the best year for job growth in 15 years. with employers adding 2.95 million jobs. and the unemployment rate falling to a postrecession low of 5.6 percent. For the first time since the recession ended. payrolls are expected to grow. In all of Americas cities and throughout the U.S.. they are expected to add another 2.6 million jobs. Houston is ranked as a top city for STEM occupations. jobs requiring a degree in science. technology. engineering. and math. Of course. we are engaged in the energy sector. and for that. we need employees. All of my colleagues who believe in Make It In America collectively have put in place nearly 100 additional bills that have been introduced to focus on Make It In America. As well. all of us have focused on this concept of skills training. I introduced H.R. 73. the America RISING Act of 2015. which stands for Realizing the Informational Skills and Initiative of New Graduates. establishing a grant program for stipends to assist in the cost of compensation paid by employers to certain recent college graduates and provide funding for their further education in subjects relating to mathematics. science. engineering. and technology. What I want to say this evening is that this is a movement that should continue. I am very delighted that America recognizes that manufacturing is an economic engine. I want to make mention of the Houston Community College. that I have had a meeting with over the last week. to particularly focus on a new facility that we hope will be finalized that will have automotive technology at the highest level and manufacturing as part of its training. This is to help not only recent graduates or individuals in what we call early college. but it is to help adults to be retrained for important elements that will manufacture. something I want to see increased in Houston. and as well will have us at the highest levels of technology. It is no longer the auto mechanic. it is the automotive engineer. the person who knows how to deal with sophisticated electric cars. solardriven cars. and others that make a difference in our lives. I want to thank the gentleman for having this very special Special Order. as he has done over the years and months. and to say that we are committed to passing legislation. building infrastructure. increasing our education and research. and particularly providing a new generation an opportunity for creating jobs and putting America. as it has been in the past. at the top in production. manufacturing. research. and. certainly. technology. I thank the gentleman. Thank you Congressman GARAMENDI for anchoring this Special Order and yielding me time to share with our colleagues legislation I have introduced that comports with the principles underlying our Make It In America agenda. Our Make it in America plan sets forth four central guiding posts: 1. We must adopt and pursue a welldeveloped national manufacturing strategy that begins right here in America. 2. We must promote the export of our manufacturing goods so that businesses can compete domestically and internationally. 3. We must also encourage businesses abroad to bring jobs and innovation back to the United States. 4. Lastly. and most importantly. we must train and educate a workforce that will secure the sustainability of this plan. As we continue this critical work of identifying and advancing effective policy change for our communities and collectively throughout the nation. it is important that we acknowledge the great progress we have made. I supported the 16 Make It In America bills that have been signed into law by our President. Additionally. as highlighted by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year. 2014 marked the best year for job growth in 15 years. with employers adding 2.95 million jobs and the unemployment rate falling to a postrecession low of 5.6%. For the first time since the recession ended. payrolls are expected to grow in all of Americas cities and employers throughout the U.S. are expected to add another 2.65 million jobs this year. Houston is ranked as a top city for STEM occupations. jobs requiring a degree in science. technology. engineering and math related subjects. Known as the "Energy Capital of the World". Houston has core strengths in the energy sector. import/export trade activity. medical advancements and a diverse population that supports innovative growth. However. Houston and other cities across the nation remain at risk of stalemating any progress we have made or are projected to make if we do continue to open up our job market and expand opportunities in all cities across the nation. As we look to the pillars and priorities of our plan. which aims to ensure that these jobs are permanent and sustainable throughout all sectors and populations of America. it is important to keep sight of the nearly 100 additional bills my colleagues and I have introduced calling for strategic action and fair enhancement of our economy as we continue to experience this growth. American businesses can only remain competitive when they have the trained and educated workers they need. This is why I have introduced legislation that will help strengthen our education and skillstraining programs to make sure our workers are getting the preparation and certifications they need while also providing an opportunity to find and retain work once trained with those highdemand skills. H.R. 73. the "America RISING Act of 2015" which stands for Realizing the Informational Skills and Initiative of New Graduates. establishes a grant program for stipends to assist in the cost of compensation paid by employers to certain recent college graduates and provides funding for their further education in subjects relating to mathematics. science. engineering. and technology.