Rep. Fattah Responds to State of the Union

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a Senior Member on the House Appropriations Committee and lead Democrat on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, issued the following statement on tonight's State of the Union address:

"Tonight the President's message was loud and clear; our country is at its best when we are buoyed by a strong middle class. The initiatives President Obama put forward offer a solid, achievable roadmap to lifting up hardworking American families, and ensuring that every woman or man is able to earn a decent wage and send their children to college.

"Raising the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable higher education, and investing in high-tech manufacturing are all critical to expanding opportunity, creating mobility, and reducing the pervasive income inequality we see in communities across America.

"The themes of tonight's address mirror the focus of my public service career: to improve the life chances of working families and children. And as the President articulated, education is at the heart of this important effort.  

"Early next week I will speak in Florida to thousands of teachers, parents, and educators who live and breathe this mission each and every day, as they work to create a culture of student success and college attainment through the GEAR UP program. Not unlike me, or President Obama, these individuals are driven by the understanding that a college education can open doors and expand opportunity, because in our 21^st century economy, higher education is the ticket to a high wage job.

"GEAR UP is a prime example of the Administration's commitment to expanding opportunity through education. Focused on instilling a college-going culture in low-income communities, the program has helped prepare and send millions of children to college. I look forward to continuing to work with the President on this, and other new initiatives that inspire and educate our future generations.

"We must remember that our country is only as strong as the individuals and communities within it, and it is time to bring more security, and greater opportunity to the ones who need it most. I join the President in turning these words into action."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah