Chairman Miller Praises House Passage of 21st Century Competitiveness Act  

Thursday, August 2, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- By a strong bipartisan vote of 367-57, the House of Representatives today gave final approval to legislation that would make major investments in education and job training programs to help encourage America’s innovative spirit and strengthen the nation’s economic competitiveness. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and an architect of some of the legislation’s key provisions, praised the passage of the legislation.

“We know from working closely with education and business leaders that a key ingredient to our future economic success is creating a more innovative workforce that is better prepared to enter growing high-tech industries,” said Miller. “Today’s vote creates a framework for discovery, for innovation, and for job growth and creation. This legislation will provide the education and training our current and future workers need to build a bright and prosperous future for our country.”

The legislation builds upon principles first laid out by Miller, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other House Democrats when they unveiled their Innovation Agenda in November 2005. Democrats worked extensively with CEOs and leaders in the business community and education advocates in developing their agenda. To learn more about the Innovation Agenda, click here.

The Senate will vote on the legislation next, and then it will go to the President for his signature.   

Among other things, the legislation – the 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007 (H.R. 2272) – would:

• Establish public private partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses to educate and train mathematicians, scientists and engineers;
• Provide training programs for students who want to enter into science, engineering and math career paths;
• Create programs to enhance teacher education in science, technology, engineering, and math fields;
• Place a highly qualified teacher in high-need schools; and
• Provide critical foreign language study programs for students at all levels of education.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853