Rochester, NY – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today said that community colleges are vital to America’s future economic competitiveness.

“It is absolutely vital that we have a dynamic workforce equipped with the skills to compete in this rapidly changing global economy,” said Slaughter.  “Our nation’s community colleges play an increasingly important role in maintaining the strength and flexibility of our workforce.  I’m so pleased that we were able to highlight the important work our community colleges do here in Western New York today.”

Slaughter’s remarks come as she applauded the White House for focusing on Western New York community colleges at today’s first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges. In attendance were Erie Community College President and former Congressman Jack Quinn and Monroe Community College student Ted Carey.

Yesterday Slaughter’s staff met with Ted Carey, a student at Monroe Community College and President of the American Student Association of Community Colleges. Carey is a Gulf War veteran and speaking at the summit on the role community colleges play in helping returning veterans.

The summit is being hosted by Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.  Biden currently teaches at Northern Virginia Community College and has been an educator for almost 30 years. She earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Delaware in January of 2007. Her dissertation focused on maximizing student retention in community colleges.

President Obama delivered remarks earlier in the day. Other summit participants include Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Melinda Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, William Green, Chairman and CEO of Accenture, Eduardo Padron, President of Miami Dade College, and other students, educators and leaders from across the country.

More information on the White House Summit on Community Colleges is available here.