Rep. Dennis Kucinich

Washington D.C., Oct 31, 2008 -

At a news conference with leaders of United Steelworkers, overlooking Cleveland’s massive steelmaking facility which will be idled, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

“Cleveland and every city in America needs a massive, green jobs program that would prime the pump of the American economy by putting Americans back to work rebuilding our infrastructure. With a program to rebuild crumbling infrastructure that relies on green products that are made in America we will see a rising tide that raises all boats.

“When Congress reconvenes, I will reintroduce the Rebuilding America's Infrastructure Act, H.R. 3400.  Until then, I will advocate for the inclusion of funding for green jobs in any economic stimulus package.  Green infrastructure requires steel for applications like energy efficient buildings, wind power production and mass transit.  I will push to require that the steel in such projects must be made in America, and a lot of that will be made right here in Cleveland.

“Green manufacturing is the way of the future, and Ohio will be the backbone of that future making the products that are used in building our nation’s infrastructure.  By investing in green technologies now, we can ensure that America’s manufacturing workforce has a better future tomorrow.  We can put unemployed Americans back to work and stop the layoffs that have decimated the dignity of the American people,” stated Kucinich.

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