Hoyer Delivers Remarks at Business 2 Business Luncheon at Southern Maryland Hiring Event
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) delivered remarks today at the Business 2 Business luncheon introducing the keynote speaker, Leonard J. Howie III, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Congressman Hoyer hosted the Business 2 Business luncheon and Southern Maryland hiring event, in collaboration with the Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board; Job Match; the Tri-County Council; Calvert, Charles, And St. Mary's County Governments; and the Maryland Department Of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"I'm pleased to welcome all of you to the annual Southern Maryland Hiring Event and today's Business 2 Business lunch.
"As many of you may know, I've made jobs an important focus of my work in Congress, and that starts with helping people find jobs right here in Southern Maryland. That's why I've partnered with the Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board; Job Match; the Tri-County Council; Calvert, Charles, And St. Mary's County Governments; and our state's Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation to help match job seekers with potential employers today.
"Over the past few years, our economic recovery has progressed, and we are seeing a steady growth in jobs here in Maryland and on a national level. The jobs report released on Friday revealed that 178,000 private sector jobs were created last month. In April, Maryland's unemployment rate has come down to 6.5% - nearly a full percentage point lower than the national rate. That's a good thing, but it's not enough.
"In Congress, I've been leading an effort by House Democrats to invest in jobs and competitiveness. Our plan is called ‘Make It In America,' and we are focusing on four key areas where Congress can make a real difference to help private sector businesses compete, expand, and hire more employees.
"Our four areas of focus are: adopt and pursue a national manufacturing strategy; promote U.S. exports; encourage businesses to bring jobs and innovation back home; and train and secure a twenty-first century workforce.
"There is no reason why Members Of Congress on either side of the aisle should wish to stand in the way of making progress in these areas, and my colleagues and I have been working hard to secure bipartisan support for the Make It In America bills we've introduced to achieve these goals.
"I will continue to push for the consideration and adoption of jobs and competitiveness legislation in Congress over the coming summer months, and I hope we will see progress soon.
"I am hopeful too that today's hiring event will result in plenty of interviews and job offers.
"It is now my privilege to introduce today's keynote speaker, who has served as our state's Secretary Of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation since October of last year.
"Secretary Leonard Howie III has spent nearly his entire career in public service, starting with his time as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps.
"He served as an Attorney Advisor with the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department Of Education from 2004-2007, where he represented student groups facing discrimination.
"From 2007-2011, Secretary Howie was Commissioner of the DLLR's Occupational and Professional Licensing Division and then Deputy Secretary. He also brings to DLLR experience from his time as Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Department of Human Resources, where he spearheaded efforts to improve service delivery and increase accountability.
"As DLLR Secretary, he is now responsible for an agency with over 2,000 employees and an annual budget of over $325 million.
"Secretary Howie holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati and both an MBA and a law degree from Georgetown. He and his wife, Robynn, are raising their three children in College Park.
"Please join me in welcoming DLLR Secretary Leonard Howie."