Congressman Loebsack, area residents, others to testify
WASHINGTON, D.C.–On Friday, January 27, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will convene a field hearing of the Committee to discuss ways to rebuild the middle class. Congressman Dave Loebsack will join Harkin as part of the hearing.
"For decades, the middle class has been falling behind," said Harkin. "Wages have not kept up with costs, and families' savings accounts have dried up along with home values and good jobs. Iowans are justifiably worried about the future.
"It does not have to be this way. It is time to rise to these challenges and face them head-on, as a nation, by remembering what made our country great. Creating good jobs, investing in education, rebuilding our infrastructure, and preparing our workforce for the 21st Century will help to ensure that the middle class has a bright future ahead, in Iowa and around the country."
Harkin has held a series of hearings in Washington over the past year examining the causes behind the decline of America's middle class. Last year, Harkin staff members visited all 99 counties to gather insight into the challenges facing middle class families. This field hearing will focus on what is working in the Quad Cities to rebuild the backbone of America's economy.
HEARING: "Rebuilding the Middle Class: What Washington can learn from Iowa"
WITNESSES:
Panel I
Hon. Dave Loebsack, United States Congressman, Second Congressional District, Iowa
Panel II
Bob Allbee, Interim President, Muscatine Community College, Muscatine, IA
Skip McGill, President, United Steel Workers Local 105, Bettendorf, IA
Robert J. Fox, a Davenport resident working to maintain a middle class lifestyle for his family
DATE: Friday, January 27, 2012
TIME:
12:15 PM: Tour: Prior to the hearing, Harkin and Loebsack will tour the welding room at the Blong Center, which houses a partnership between John Deere, the local schools, and workers.
1:15 PM: Hearing begins
PLACE: John T. Blong Tech Center?, 8500 Hillandale Road, Davenport
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