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WASHINGTON - Congressman Tom Petri was named "Legislator of the Year" Tuesday by the Wisconsin Technical Colleges District Boards Association (Audio of full comments).
At a Washington meeting held by the Association, Petri was presented with a plaque lauding his "years of dedicated service, peerless leadership and steadfast support of Wisconsin technical colleges and technical college students."
The association's executive director Paul Gabriel said recognition was due Petri for his support of technical colleges, for affordable student loans, and for his close attention to the need to prepare local students for highly technical, well-paying local jobs.
"When we announced this award, several of our members said, 'I saw the Congressman recently - it was at the Mercury Marine Plant.' 'I saw the Congressman recently - it was at a very sophisticated dairy plant,'" Gabriel said. "One of the things we are truly honoring today is how much the Congressman is connected to the businesses and industries that make Wisconsin work across the 6th District and statewide. That really says a lot about why we are doing this today."
Gabriel further commented, "We have looked at his - it's not overstating to say 'heroism' - on behalf of student aid programs. The Congressman has really stood out in Congress as a leader in the fight for accessibility for students of modest means to be able to have access to higher education."
"His work on behalf of affordable student loans is really legendary with us, and we couldn't be more proud than to have Congressman Petri representing Wisconsin technical colleges. We are really honored to do the 2008 Legislator of the Year Award for him," he said.
Petri responded, "The jobs are out there now, but the people aren't who have the skills. Vocational education is in a position to fill that gap if they are adequately supported. I've been working to support them to make sure that they are able to help us have a bright future."
"The Association is a forum for trustees of locally-governed, community-based colleges to come together from around the state to learn, share, promote, and create together. They serve a vital function in keeping our state's vocational education system in the lead nationally, and I am deeply honored to have this recognition from them," Petri said.
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