FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2008

CONTACT: Sabrina Kidwai (703) 683-9312; skidwai@acteonline.org

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) today announced Congressman Brian Baird (WA-3) as a 2008 Policymaker of the Year. This award is presented annually by the ACTE Board of Directors to nationally-recognized policymakers who have made a significant impact on policy related to career and technical education during the past year or extended career of public service.

Congressman Baird co-founded the congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus last April. During the past year, Baird has been instrumental in raising awareness and gathering support for CTE with other legislators in Congress. This year Baird and Congressman Phil English co-sponsored House Resolution 930, which honors February as Career and Technical Education Month. The resolution was passed on February 25.

“I deeply thank the Association for Career and Technical Education for this award and for their continued leadership on advancing the goals and ideals of career and technical education nationwide,” said Congressman Baird. “Our country is currently facing a growing problem of not having enough qualified workers to fill high-demand jobs. Career and technical education provides students with the skills they need to find employment in skilled professions and to compete in a competitive global economy. As co-founder of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I will continue working in the halls of Congress to expand and strengthen career and technical education opportunities for all students.”

As a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, Baird serves as Chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee. He also serves on the Budget Committee. Baird is working to improve CTE and ensuring students are competitive in the 21st century economy through his role on these Committees and his leadership as Congressional CTE Caucus Co-Chair. He has also served as a university and community college instructor and is the son of a public school teacher.  

“Congressman Baird’s dedication and passion for career and technical education is illustrated through the development of the caucus and continued support of funding for the Carl D. Perkins Act,” ACTE Executive Director Jan Bray said. “ACTE wanted to recognize his work on raising the awareness of CTE, which provides students with rigorous, relevant courses necessary in developing a competitive workforce.”

The ACTE National Policy Seminar attracts approximately 500 educators, business leaders and education advocates from across the country running successful career and technical education programs. Conference participants learn about and advocate for federal policies regarding career and technical education. For more information on the Policymaker of the Year awards, please visit www.acteonline.org.

The Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. It provides advocacy, public awareness and access to information, professional development and tools that enable members to be successful and effective leaders. Founded in 1926, ACTE has more than 29,000 members including teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

###