WLTI students Impress(ed) on the Hill
We’re still reviewing delegation reports from the students’ visits to Capitol Hill. We’ve received more detailed reports than in the past, and we know that 16 states held meetings with at least 70 different Senate and House offices on September 22. The students are always told to find common ground when visiting their senators and representatives, and at least two visits by Texas delegations yielded some surprises:
“As we toured the Capitol, we met a gentleman who is a legislative aide for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson from the 18th District in Texas. He asked us if SkillsUSA was the organization formerly known as VICA. We said yes, and he told us he had been a member when he was in high school and that VICA had laid the foundation for his success as an adult.”
Another student wrote: “Congressman Solomon Ortiz (27th District) was attentive to what we had to say. He related to what we were talking about because he had been involved in VICA. He explained how VICA had helped him get a job when he needed it most.”
The students also made strong and positive impressions on Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Ortiz and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Glenn Cummings. Following his visit, Mr. Cummings wrote: “I cannot tell you how happy I was to speak to your excellent group of students. It was a thrill for me to have such an attentive and passionate crowd when it comes to CTE … I would very much like to learn more about your skills assessments and performance measurements – they sound terrific.”
We’re proud of the students and advisors who participated in WLTI for carrying forward the message of career and technical education and SkillsUSA.
Tags: Government Relations, WLTI
