Congressman Brian Baird’s (D-WA-3) office and Congressman Philip English’s (R-PA-3) office have drafted a “Dear Colleague” letter focusing on an increase for Perkins in FY 2008 and getting membership for a new Congressional CTE Caucus. Please review the letter here.
The “Dear Colleague” letter has begun circulating to Congressional Members offices this week. “Dear Colleague” letters are often distributed to show support for a particular legislative initiative or funding request. In order to comply with Congressional Members’ agendas ACTE, Rep Baird’s staff, and Rep. English’s staff have agreed to keep the language for an increase general. We are hoping that this letter will show enormous support for an increase in funding, and support for CTE programs in our schools. ACTE is asking all ACTE members to contact their Representative to urge them to sign this letter. ACTE will keep a running tab of Congressional Members who have signed on the website, click here to access this list.
The deadline for Representatives to sign on to the funding letter is
ACTE is very excited that Representatives Baird and English are forming a CTE Caucus in the House of Representatives. The caucus will be bipartisan and will work to highlight the importance of CTE in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in America. Each Congressional Member will also become aware of how CTE affects their district specifically, and they will seek out ways to continue to grow CTE courses throughout every high school and postsecondary institution in the country. Please check here to see if your Representative has become a member of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus.
Call 800-459-1887 and ask the Capitol Switchboard operator to connect you to your member of Congress' office. If you don't know your Representative's or Senators' names go to http://capwiz.com/acte/home/.
If you need any additional information, please call Jamie Baxter, advocacy associate, at 703-683-9337 or visit http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/funding.cfm#news.
