NASDCTEc today honored Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) with the Stars of Education Award, Distinguished Service: Congressional  for demonstrating a high level of national leadership, vision, and achievement in Career Technical Education (CTE). NASDCTEc Board of Directors presented the awards to the Senators today at the National Career Clusters™ Institute in Washington, DC.
The award is given to members or former members of Congress who have demonstrated their support for CTE through meritorious contribution, innovative or unique achievements, expansion of the impact of or investment in CTE on students, and/or evidence of superior performance.
“Now more than ever, Career Technical Education needs the support from leaders such as Senators Richard Blumenthal and Herb Kohl, who both have advocated for funding and legislation that helps to prepare students for college and careers through quality CTE programs,†said Dr. Pat Ainsworth President of the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium and California CTE State Director.
Sen. Blumenthal, the former Attorney General of Connecticut, is now serving his first term in the United States Senate. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Blumenthal has made CTE and the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins) a top priority. Sen. Blumenthal has authored several letters to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and his fellow Senators, urging them to invest in CTE through increased Perkins Act funding.
Sen. Blumenthal has also introduced bills that aim to increase workforce training and business and industry partnerships, including the Manufacturing Reinvestment Account Act, the Pathways Back to Work Act, and the Community College Innovation Act.
Sen. Herb Kohl has served in the United States Senate since 1988.  Hesdfacxmls He is a member of the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Just this year, he signed onto several letters urging OMB and Congress to invest in Perkins.  Sen. Kohl also introduced the Fast Track to College Act this session, which aims to improve the transition of high school students to postsecondary education through dual enrollment and early college high schools.
Sen. Kohl serves as Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and has received numerous awards for his dedication to agriculture issues, including agricultural research and education, family farms, and other issues affecting rural communities.
Finally, he has also demonstrated support to the manufacturing industry. Sen. Kohl worked to restore funding to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a public-private partnership that utilizes federal, state, and private dollars to provide technical support and services to help small and medium-sized manufacturers create and retain jobs.
Erin Uy, Communications & Marketing Manager
Tags: blumenthal, Congress, kohl, Perkins, senator, stars of education