Senators Baldwin, Coons Recognize National Manufacturing Day on Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) yesterday spoke on the Senate floor to recognize National Manufacturing Day. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) also joined Senators Coons and Baldwin on the floor in support. National Manufacturing Day occurs on the first Friday of October every year and is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Today, Senator Baldwin is touring Waukesha Metal Products in Sussex, Wisconsin as part of National Manufacturing Day and Wisconsin Manufacturing Month. During the tour, Senator Baldwin will visit with over 50 engineering students from New Berlin High School.

Senators Baldwin and Coons are leading the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign to rally bipartisan support for legislation that would help manufacturers grow and create jobs. The MJA campaign began last Congress, when Senator Coons led a coalition of 27 Senators to introduce 36 manufacturing bills, nearly half of which were strongly bipartisan.  Eight of those 36 bills were enacted into law, a startling success rate given Congress’ gridlock and bitter partisanship.

Audio/video of the Senators speeches is available here.

“I am so proud to join this effort because by working together during and after National Manufacturing Day, we can shine a spotlight on the need for America to address workforce readiness issues, connect with future generations, and recognize the important role manufacturing plays in creating an economy that works for everyone,” said Senator Baldwin. “In Wisconsin, we have a long and proud tradition of making things: paper, engines, tools, ships – and yes, cheese, brats, and beer. We possess one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation, supporting a large share of our workforce and exporting goods all over America and the world.

“Manufacturing has long been the backbone of our Made in Wisconsin economy.  So much so, that we actually celebrate October as Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin.  In my state, and across our country, manufacturing is increasingly an engine of economic growth, innovation, and a source of good jobs with high wages and solid benefits.  That is why I strongly believe that the middle class families, small businesses and manufacturers that are working so hard to move our economic forward deserve to have both parties in Washington working together to grow our manufacturing economy and create jobs.”

“In recognition of National Manufacturing Day, I’m proud to join my colleagues to bring attention to the critical role manufacturing plays in my home state of Delaware and across the country,” said Senator Coons. “Manufacturing has been, and continues to be, a vital part of our economy, but coming from the state of Delaware, I know first hand the challenges that face manufacturing in the 21st century, and how much it has changed. That’s why we must work together to invest in quality job training programs, partner directly with businesses, and educate our students with the skills they need in a modern economy so that we can change the perception of manufacturing and replace the lost jobs of the 20th century with good-paying, 21st century jobs right here at home.”