Congresswoman Susan A. Davis, who represents the 53rd Congressional District, California, which includes the San Diego Job Corps Center in Imperial Beach, toured the campus on August 13th.
During her visit Congresswoman Davis talked with students and staff in the academic classes and the Career Technical Training programs. One of the students she spoke with was 19 year old Aram C. who is receiving training in the Plastering Trade. “It was the first time I ever met a member of Congress and it was pretty exciting,” Aram stated. “She asked about the green project we were working on and I showed her the blueprints for it. We will be able to recycle the water we use on Center projects. Congresswoman Davis was very friendly and interested in what we were doing,” he added.
Congresswoman Davis later spoke to over 900 students and staff in the Center’s gymnasium. She expressed her appreciation for the inner strength demonstrated by Job Corps students in overcoming adversity, and their commitment for a better job and life for themselves and their families. Congresswoman Davis talked about the recent economic downturn and the many Americans who are underemployed and unemployed. “We are a nation of problem solvers and innovators,” she stated, and expressed her optimism about America’s ability to solve its economic problems. “Anyone can make it in America” she stated.
Congresswoman Davis talked about her tour of the Center and how impressed she was with students working on green projects. She noted that Job Corps’ new Hotel and Medical Office Records Career Technical Training programs and the expansion of the Health Care program offered students excellent career opportunities in San Diego’s economy.
At the conclusion of her talk, Congresswoman Davis advised she has been a long time supporter of Job Corps and pledged her continuing support of the program in Congress.