Sherman’s testimony focused on two valley projects: HighTechHigh, the first school of its kind in Los Angeles to incorporate cutting edge technology training into secondary education, and the Center for Adaptive Aquatic Therapy, a nationally-recognized adapted aquatic therapy research program at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

"The benefits of these two projects stretch across the generational spectrum by integrating Valley students into the developing technology industry, as well as bringing innovative rehabilitation services to Valley seniors and learning opportunities to university students," Sherman said. "These are nationally significant projects which will improve education in the Valley."

"HighTechHigh is a premier training site for skilled technology workers and will eventually help to alleviate the severe shortage of highly skilled workers in California," Sherman said. "This program will connect high school students and teachers to learning opportunities and resources in the changing world of technology, reaching beyond a traditional school’s capability."

HighTechHigh primarily serves minority and disadvantaged communities with students who seldom have access to the technical training necessary to advance their academic and professional careers. Last year, Sherman secured $500,000 for the initial renovations and wiring of HighTechHigh, which is located on the campus of Birmingham High School. Additional federal funds would help cover the cost of video equipment, computers, digital cameras and scanners, software and other high-tech industry tools that students will encounter in their prospective post-secondary work environments.

The Center for Adaptive Aquatic Therapy, which just opened this March, is a state-of-the-art 19,000 square foot facility featuring four pools and serving an estimated 2,000 physically disabled individuals per year. The Center, coupled with the adjacent Center of Achievement for the Physically Disabled, also on the CSUN campus, will provide a truly unique facility that will serve a dual purpose: to provide a comprehensive and practical training program for university students and to provide an invaluable community service to the physically disabled population. To make the facility fully operational, additional federal funding is needed for the purchase of highly specialized supplies and equipment, such as wheelchairs and treadmills specially designed to operate in a water environment.

The House Appropriations Committee is in the process of reviewing requests from all Members of Congress to determine national spending priorities for the coming year. The projects that the Labor, Health, Human Services and Education Subcommittee approves will also be subject to review by the full Committee, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, before being sent to the President for signature.