TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND SKILLSUSA FOR ITS OUTSTANDING WORK IN HELPING ITS MEMBERS BECOME VALUABLE WORKERS AND RESPONSIBLE AMERICANS AND TO DECLARE FEBRUARY 3-9, 2019, AS SKILLSUSA WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, February 3-9, 2019, has been designated by the SkillsUSA national association as SkillsUSA Week; and

Whereas, profound economic and technological changes in our society are rapidly being reflected in the structure and nature of work, thereby placing new and additional responsibilities on our educational system; and

Whereas, career and technical education provides students with a school-to-careers connection and is the backbone of a strong, well-educated workforce, the possession of which fosters productivity in business and industry and contributes to our leadership in the national and international marketplace; and

Whereas, career and technical education gives high school students experience in practical, meaningful applications of basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, thus improving the quality of their education, motivating at-risk students, and giving all students leadership opportunities in their fields and in their communities; and

Whereas, career and technical education offers individuals lifelong opportunities to learn new skills that provide them with career choices and potential satisfaction; and

Whereas, the ever-increasing cooperative efforts of career and technical educators, business, and industry stimulate the growth and vitality of our economy and that of the entire nation by preparing graduates for career fields forecast to experience the largest and fastest growth in the next decade; and

Whereas, SkillsUSA--a national organization for students preparing for technical, skilled, and service occupations in high schools and colleges/technical schools--helps its members become world-class workers and highly principled Americans; and

Whereas, SkillsUSA is preparing more than three hundred thousand students annually to be high-performance workers; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to urge all its citizens to acquaint themselves with the purposes and activities of SkillsUSA and to give help and encouragement to SkillsUSA members who are working hard to achieve the goals that will make them outstanding skilled workers in our communities. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend SkillsUSA for its outstanding work in helping its members become valuable workers and responsible Americans and declare February 3-9, 2019, as SkillsUSA week in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to SkillsUSA South Carolina.