State of the Union Response

In Tuesday night's speech, the President set out a bold agenda for our nation, an agenda that will focus on growing our economy, growing jobs, and growing opportunity for the middle class. I was happy to hear that the President and I agree: The foundation of our future economy will be built on investments in higher education and in scientific research and development. Innovation in technology and clean energy will be the keys that unlock unlimited opportunities for future generations of Americans, and allow us to maintain our status as the leader of the global economy.

President Obama's vision is underlined by the investments and growth we see here in the 21st Congressional District, and it's no coincidence that he has made two trips to our region in the past 16 months to highlight what we are doing here as a model for the nation.

Education will play a critical role in our innovation economy. That's why I was honored to be joined Tuesday by RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson, a national leader in high tech higher education, who serves on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. She understands the critical role that science and education will play in America's future.

The most important contest we face today is not between Democrats and Republicans. It's our Nation's contest with competitors across the globe for the jobs and industries of our time. I am committed to working with the President on our top priority - jobs - and laying out a plan to win the future by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world. We can and we must succeed.