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 awarded Congressman John Peterson (PA-5) with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing him for his advocacy and contributions toward career and technical education during his 12 years in Congress. He will be retiring at the end of his current term.

As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Congressman Peterson has supported funding increases for career and technical education. Last year he sponsored an amendment that led to the Congressional passage of a $25 million increase for Perkins, although Congress failed to override a presidential veto of the bill, Since joining the House Appropriations Committee in 1998, Representative Peterson’s support for career and technical education was largely responsible for the substantial increases to the Perkins career and technical education program in Fiscal Years 2000, 2001, and 2002. Peterson also helped protect the program against across-the-board cuts in the years that followed.

“Throughout the last 12 years in Congress, Representative Peterson has been a strong enthusiast for career and technical education,” ACTE Executive Director Jan Bray said. “He consistently addressed the benefits of CTE as well as defended Perkins funding and worked tirelessly to increase awareness regarding the benefits of career and technical education. Peterson’s enthusiasm, highly effective legislative skills and continuous goodwill, will be missed throughout the CTE community.”

Congressman Peterson also serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Rural Caucus, which works on strengthening and revitalizing rural communities across America, including job creation and economic development strategies and expanding the availability of new technologies and technical education. He served on the House Education and Workforce Committee during the 1998 Perkins Act reauthorization and helped to improve and protect career and technical education during those discussions. Peterson was recognized as ACTE Policymaker of the Year in 1999.

“Career and technology education provides an avenue of opportunity and hope for countless folks across America,” said Congressman Peterson. “Representing an extremely rural district without a community college, I know first hand how vital technology education is in our high schools today. I want to thank The Association for Career and Technical Education for this honor and steadfast support over the years. Expanding technology education has been an issue that I have long advocated since my days in Harrisburg as a state legislator and is an issue that has been hallmark to my 12 years in Washington.”

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.

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