Quick Search
More Campus News
Governor Rell Proclaims Fight for Connecticut’s Jobs
Posted 2/1/2005
Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, still infuriated by Friday’s decision by the U.S. Navy to award the lucrative Marine One presidential helicopter contract to Maryland-based Lockheed Martin rather than UTC’s Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., on Monday told 240 attendees at a Jobs Summit in Lincoln Theater that it is time to start fighting full-force for jobs.
Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., had built the presidential helicopter fleet since 1957. Lockheed Martin’s helicopter will be based on a European design and some parts will be built by foreign contractors.
The Jan. 31 invitation-only summit, titled “Talent, Jobs and the Economy” and held at the University of Hartford’s Lincoln Theater, was a key step in Rell’s effort to formulate a comprehensive work force and economic development plan for Connecticut.
University President Walter Harrison said it was appropriate that the Jobs Summit was held on campus because of the university’s focus on science and technology through its Integrated Science, Engineering, and Technology (ISET) complex and its partnership in the University High School of Science and Engineering.
Harrison said that Connecticut’s colleges and universities consider themselves partners with Rell and the Jobs Summit through their commitment to educating the state's future workforce. In introducing Rell, Harrison termed her the state’s “most inspiring voice of the future.”
Rell expressed anger with Connecticut job losses and with companies that close their doors and send work overseas.
“As the events of the last few days make painfully clear, we dare not count on anyone other than ourselves when it really matters,” Rell said. “Here’s a headline for you, and I mean it most sincerely: Governor Rell is Mad as Hell.”
At the summit, business leaders, state legislators, and policymakers heard national experts discuss the challenges that Connecticut faces in maintaining its leadership role and economic competitiveness in the global economy.
“We’re fighting for jobs -- good jobs,” Rell said. “Jobs that pay well, jobs that last, jobs that offer dignity and a challenge and an opportunity to succeed. That’s what families care about.”
The governor proposed ways to enhance Connecticut’s economic competiveness, including a spring summit on math and science education; a major investment in early childhood education; a state loan forgiveness program for those who become teachers and are committed to working in urban areas; and the bolstering of ties between businesses and colleges and universities.
“Our population and our work force are aging,” Rell said. “We may not have enough skilled people to replace the workers who will be retiring, especially in some important occupations. Some youngsters who might excel in those areas may not get the chance because our urban schools our failing them and the 'achievement gap' is widening.”
Monday's summit was moderated by Pat Sheehan, senior vice president of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Among the global economists who participated were Donald Klepper-Smith, chief economist and director of research at DataCore Partners; W. Steven Barnett, professor of education economics and public policy and director of the National Institute of Early Education and Research, Rutgers University; Donald F. Smith Jr., vice president of economic development, MPC Corp., and university director of economic development, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh; and Eric Cooper, president, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education.
Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., had built the presidential helicopter fleet since 1957. Lockheed Martin’s helicopter will be based on a European design and some parts will be built by foreign contractors.
The Jan. 31 invitation-only summit, titled “Talent, Jobs and the Economy” and held at the University of Hartford’s Lincoln Theater, was a key step in Rell’s effort to formulate a comprehensive work force and economic development plan for Connecticut.
University President Walter Harrison said it was appropriate that the Jobs Summit was held on campus because of the university’s focus on science and technology through its Integrated Science, Engineering, and Technology (ISET) complex and its partnership in the University High School of Science and Engineering.
Harrison said that Connecticut’s colleges and universities consider themselves partners with Rell and the Jobs Summit through their commitment to educating the state's future workforce. In introducing Rell, Harrison termed her the state’s “most inspiring voice of the future.”
Rell expressed anger with Connecticut job losses and with companies that close their doors and send work overseas.
“As the events of the last few days make painfully clear, we dare not count on anyone other than ourselves when it really matters,” Rell said. “Here’s a headline for you, and I mean it most sincerely: Governor Rell is Mad as Hell.”
At the summit, business leaders, state legislators, and policymakers heard national experts discuss the challenges that Connecticut faces in maintaining its leadership role and economic competitiveness in the global economy.
“We’re fighting for jobs -- good jobs,” Rell said. “Jobs that pay well, jobs that last, jobs that offer dignity and a challenge and an opportunity to succeed. That’s what families care about.”
The governor proposed ways to enhance Connecticut’s economic competiveness, including a spring summit on math and science education; a major investment in early childhood education; a state loan forgiveness program for those who become teachers and are committed to working in urban areas; and the bolstering of ties between businesses and colleges and universities.
“Our population and our work force are aging,” Rell said. “We may not have enough skilled people to replace the workers who will be retiring, especially in some important occupations. Some youngsters who might excel in those areas may not get the chance because our urban schools our failing them and the 'achievement gap' is widening.”
Monday's summit was moderated by Pat Sheehan, senior vice president of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Among the global economists who participated were Donald Klepper-Smith, chief economist and director of research at DataCore Partners; W. Steven Barnett, professor of education economics and public policy and director of the National Institute of Early Education and Research, Rutgers University; Donald F. Smith Jr., vice president of economic development, MPC Corp., and university director of economic development, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh; and Eric Cooper, president, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education.
