WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement in advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight. Dr. David L. Levinson, the President of Norwalk Community College (NCC), will be Himes' guest at the address.
“I’m eager to hear the President discuss our economy’s recovery and his plan for ensuring more Americans feel its benefits. For decades, globalization and technological advancements have eroded the foundations of America's middle class. In a competitive global economy, education remains the single most significant stepping stone to the middle class. The President’s bold proposals to invest in higher education and technical training programs could be life-changing for millions of Americans. As president of Norwalk Community College, Dr. David Levinson has long been one of Connecticut’s leading advocates for making college more accessible and affordable, and I’m honored that he'll be my guest at tonight’s speech.
“I’m particularly interested in hearing the President’s vision for transforming our antiquated roads, bridges and railways into a transportation infrastructure that is appropriate for the 21st century. There is no short-term fix. It is a question of whether we are willing to make tough decisions and invest in the future prosperity and jobs of Southwest Connecticut and our nation as a whole.
“As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I hope the President will address the ongoing violence and instability caused by terrorism. While I continue to support an aggressive counterterrorism strategy against ISIS and other terrorist groups, Congress should authorize the President to use military force, as the Constitution demands. We also need to develop a strategy for eliminating the underlying economic and political conditions that allow ISIS and other terrorists with obscene ideologies to thrive. Without such a strategy, we'll be dealing with the same problem 10 or 20 years from now.
“I believe education, transportation and America's security are issues that transcend partisanship. I look forward to working with my colleagues in both parties to find areas where we can work together to build on the economic progress we've made and keep our people safe.”