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Friday, May 6, 2011

Serrano, Pierluisi Applaud Inclusion of Puerto Rico, Territories in Democrats’ “Make It in America” Initiative

Steny Hoyer Relaunches Effort to Stimulate American Manufacturing and Jobs

Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman José E. Serrano and Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi congratulated House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer on his relaunch of the “Make It in America” initiative with the explicit inclusion of Puerto Rico and the other territories in the JOBS Act.

Serrano and Pierluisi were vigilant to ensure that all places under the American flag would be part of the initiative, and that the jobs that would result from passage of the bill would also benefit Puerto Rico and the territories.

“Our economy is completely integrated between the 50 states and the territories and people living outside of the 50 states should not ever be economically disadvantaged,” said Congressman Serrano.

“The recognition of this in Steny Hoyer’s JOBS Act is a clear signal that Democrats understand that we cannot have two separate economies – one for the 50 states and one for the territories. Resident Commissioner Pierluisi and I have been ensuring that our territories are treated with the respect and equality that they deserve, and we are pleased that Steny Hoyer agreed to make this a priority in this major Democratic bill. Going forward we will be pushing for consideration of this bill and hoping that the Republicans allow it to come to the floor of the House. It is long-past time that we do something to create jobs for Americans, and end the attacks on the accomplishments of the last Congress, like Health Care Reform. Our citizens, wherever they reside, deserve our full attention on the issue of unemployment and jobs", he added.

“I am proud to support the Job Opportunities Between our Shores Act, and want to express my gratitude to Democratic Whip Hoyer for working closely with Congressman Serrano and me prior to the bill’s introduction to ensure that Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories were fully included,” said Resident Commissioner Pierluisi.

“The JOBS Act is a key component of the House Democrats’ “Make it in America” agenda. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community and technical colleges, local workforce investment boards and other entities in underserved areas. These grants will be used to provide education and training for jobs in advanced manufacturing, which seeks to improve productivity in the manufacturing sector. If enacted, the JOBS Act will benefit Puerto Rico, which has a strong manufacturing base and is home to thousands of talented and motivated men and women who, with the proper training, are capable of finding employment in this growing field", Pierluisi added.

According to Democratic Whip Hoyer: “America’s manufacturing sector played a major role in propelling our economy to world leadership and helped to create the strongest middle class in history. Manufacturing means secure, well-paying, middle-class jobs. But our manufacturing decline—which hit particularly hard during the Bush Administration, when America lost nearly a third of its manufacturing jobs—is one of the reasons why middle-class families are finding it difficult to make it in America today. To confront this challenge, Democrats are working to enact the “Make It In America” agenda: a plan to rebuild American manufacturing and create well-paying jobs.”