A friend forwarded us this press released released by Jobs and Economic Recovery:
Coalition of Major MN Organizatons Gathers to Celebrate Passage of President Obama's Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan, Turning the Page on Failed Economic Policies of the Past Eight Years
Hope and 3.5 Million Jobs Are on the Way as Rep. Tim Walz and Congress Pass Most Important Legislation on the Economy since the New Deal
Rochester, MN – A large and diverse coalition of MN organizations gathered today at the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers to celebrate the signing into law of President Barack Obama's 'American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" as a historic and politically transformational achievement. Passage of the Obama jobs plan will create 3.5 million jobs and jump start the economy in the near and long term by making investments in education, transportation, health care and renewable sources of energy in addition to providing tax relief to 95 percent of Americans.
Congressman Tin Walz (MN-01) was repeatedly commended for his leadership in Congress on his work to pass this bill and save and create over 7,500 jobs in Southern MN, according to White House estimates.[pdf here here]
Groups gathering today to applaud the work of Rep. Tim Walz included ACORN, AFSCME Council 5, Alliance for a Better MN, Americans United for Change, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, SEIU MN State Council, SE MN Area Labor Council, SE MN Building Trades, TakeAction MN and USAction.
"Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a major victory for the American people who are seeking relief from the worst economic crisis in a generation," said Wes Urevig, President of the Southeastern MN Building and Construction Trades. "Americans voted for a change of direction in November, rather than more of the same failed economic policies that ran our economy into the ditch in the first place, and President Obama and Congressional Leaders have already begun to deliver. The Obama jobs plan – which will save or create 3.5 million jobs – makes the investments in transportation, health care, education and renewable energy necessary to jump start the economy and create jobs in the near and long term – while also providing tax relief to 95 percent of Americans.
Southeast Area labor Council President Laura Askelin added "Passage of the Obama jobs plan will not only play a critical role in turning our economy around and getting people back to work, it represents a transformational and historic moment for our country. This achievement represents a dramatic shift away from the failed trickle down economic policies of the past to a new progressive approach that builds our economy from the bottom up by investing in people and communities."
"We're also extremely grateful to Rep. Walz for supporting President Obama's recovery plan that's going to put millions of people back to work and get the economy back on track. He stood up to the attacks from right-wing radio and the Republicans in Washington that would rather do nothing in the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression," said Donald McFarland, MN Spokesperson for Americans United for Change.
Congressman Tim Walz's Deputy District Director Francy Hall delivered these remarks for Rep. Walz, " …this bill could not be passed without the tireless work of the union and advocacy organizations right here in MN. While our economy is on shaky ground, who better to rebuild its' foundation than our unions and their members."
Photo: local labor and progressive leaders gathering in Rochester to celebrate President Obama's signing of the Recovery Bill.
Update: Dusty Trice, a guy who owns a great dog, sent us the YouTube clip. Thanks.
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