Avenues to Success: Examining Workforce Training Programs for Employees (House Small Business subcommittee hearing, September 25, 2024)

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Transcript of the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development hearing Avenues to Success: Examining Workforce Training Programs for Employees, convened September 25, 2024 during the 118th Congress, Second Session, published as Small Business Committee Document Number 118-060 (GPO 57-370). Subcommittee Chairman Marc Molinaro presided with Ranking Member Morgan McGarvey. Witnesses were Ashley Gamba of Community Options Inc., Frank A. Stento of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and Neal Strange of the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund, with appendix materials from Associated Builders and Contractors and Lisanne McNew.

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AVENUES TO SUCCESS: EXAMINING WORKFORCE
TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYEES

HEARING
BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INNOVATION,
ENTREPRENEURSHIP,
AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE

COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION

HEARING HELD
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Small Business Committee Document Number 118–060
Available via the GPO Website: www.govinfo.gov

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
57–370 WASHINGTON : 2024
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
ROGER WILLIAMS, Texas, Chairman
BLAINE LUETKEMEYER, Missouri
PETE STAUBER, Minnesota
DAN MEUSER, Pennsylvania
BETH VAN DUYNE, Texas
MARIA SALAZAR, Florida
TRACEY MANN, Kansas
JAKE ELLZEY, Texas
MARC MOLINARO, New York
MARK ALFORD, Missouri
ELI CRANE, Arizona
AARON BEAN, Florida
WESLEY HUNT, Texas
NICK LALOTA, New York
CELESTE MALOY, Utah
NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ, New York, Ranking Member
JARED GOLDEN, Maine
DEAN PHILLIPS, Minnesota
GREG LANDSMAN, Ohio
MARIE GLUESENKAMP PEREZ, Washington
SHRI THANEDAR, Michigan
MORGAN MCGARVEY, Kentucky
HILLARY SCHOLTEN, Michigan
JUDY CHU, California
SHARICE DAVIDS, Kansas
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire

BEN JOHNSON, Majority Staff Director
MELISSA JUNG, Minority Staff Director

(II)
CONTENTS
OPENING STATEMENTS
Page
Hon. Marc Molinaro ................................................................................................ 1
Hon. Morgan McGarvey .......................................................................................... 3

WITNESSES
Ms. Ashley Gamba, Executive Director, Community Options Inc., Bing-
hamton, NY .......................................................................................................... 6
Mr. Frank A. Stento, Director of Business Development, Building & Construc-
tion Trades, IUPAT (International Union of Painter’s & Allied Trades),
Binghamton, NY ................................................................................................... 8
Mr. Neal Strange, Director of Education, Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional
Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund, Greenwood,
IN ........................................................................................................................... 9

APPENDIX
Prepared Statements:
Ms. Ashley Gamba, Executive Director, Community Options Inc., Bing-
hamton, NY ................................................................................................... 20
Mr. Frank A. Stento, Director of Business Development, Building & Con-
struction Trades, IUPAT (International Union of Painter’s & Allied
Trades), Binghamton, NY ............................................................................. 22
Mr. Neal Strange, Director of Education, Indiana Kentucky Ohio Re-
gional Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund,
Greenwood, IN .............................................................................................. 24
Questions for the Record:
None.
Answers for the Record:
None.
Additional Material for the Record:
ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) ................................................... 27
Statement of Lisanne McNew, President & CEO .......................................... 29

(III)
AVENUES TO SUCCESS: EXAMINING WORK-
FORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR
EMPLOYEES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS,
SUBCOMMITTEE ON INNOVATION,
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:03 a.m., in Room
2360, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Marcus J. Molinaro
[chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Present: Representatives Molinaro, Williams, Mann, McGarvey,
Thanedar, and Chu.
Chairman MOLINARO. Good morning, everybody. Thank you for
joining the Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and
Workforce Development.
Before we get started, I would like to recognize the Ranking
Member, Representative Mc Garvey, to lead us in the pledge and
a prayer.
Mr. MCGARVEY. We thank you for the opportunity to be here
today and to be together. We ask for your wisdom. We ask for your
grace. We ask for your patience in these matters. We ask that you
bless all of us to make decisions in the testimony the best we can.
In your name we pray. Amen.
All. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of Amer-
ica, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, sir.
I now call the Committee on Small Business to order.
Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess of
the Committee at any time.
I would now like to recognize myself for an opening statement
and appreciate you all for being here. And I welcome those of you
on our panel to the Subcommittee.
First, to each of our witnesses, thank you. We recognize your
time is valuable and hope you know we appreciate you spending
time with us and look forward to your testimonies.
The current labor shortage in the United States is disproportion-
ately affecting small businesses, with 40 percent of small employ-
ers unable to fill job openings as of August. This crisis is exacer-
bated by economic pressures from the Biden-Harris Administration,
with many businesses struggling to find qualified talent amid ris-
(1)
2

ing costs and inflation. The construction, healthcare, and auto-
motive sectors are particularly in need, facing significant deficits in
skilled labor that could hinder growth and increase project delays.
These on-the-ground issues small businesses face are exacerbated
in rural and underserved communities like the ones I represent in
upstate New York. The labor shortage is not confined to small em-
ployers, as we likely know. The broader labor market is facing one
of the most challenging years in recent history. Contributing fac-
tors include an aging workforce, with projections indicating that 41
percent of workers nearing retirement by 2031 will lead to a sub-
stantial loss of institutional knowledge.
Additionally, younger individuals are entering the workforce at a
lower-than-expected rate. Many workers laid off during the pan-
demic and economic shutdown are unwilling to return to jobs—jobs
lacking remote work options, reflecting a shift in employment—in
employee expectations.
And despite these challenges, I would note that people with dis-
abilities still represent an untapped workforce. This Subcommittee
has spent some time focused, in fact, on this population. Their par-
ticipation in the labor market has surged since the pandemic, with
1.8 million joining, bringing their employment rate up to 25 per-
cent, the highest in 15 years. Organizations like Community Op-
tions, Inc., represented here today, are crucial in providing training
and job placement, partnering with major companies to support in-
dividuals with disabilities. Hiring these workers not only promotes
inclusivity but also boosts workplace morale and results in lower
turnover and absentee rates.
For me, that is why I introduced the Think DIFFERENTLY Ini-
tiative and Think DIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment
Act, to help small businesses address accessibility issues for em-
ployees with disabilities, encouraging the hiring of those with intel-
lectual, physical, and developmental disabilities, and help entre-
preneurs with disabilities succeed.
We were proud to see this piece of legislation pass the House.
And I was also proud to co-lead the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Reporting Act, alongside Ranking Member Mc Garvey, to better un-
derstand the challenges entrepreneurs with disabilities face.
Addressing the skills gap through workforce development is es-
sential. Traditional education paths may not suit everyone, and we
know this. And skilled trades offer viable alternatives. Combatting
the ongoing labor shortage by supporting our skilled trade schools
and apprenticeship programs is a bipartisan effort.
And I worked alongside my colleagues and fellow Small Business
Committee Member, in this case Representative Scholten, to intro-
duce the Honoring Vocational Education Act, which ensures indi-
viduals who attend job training programs, trade schools, union ap-
prenticeships, and other like programs are recognized as obtaining
a post-secondary nondegree award.
Additionally, I was proud to co-lead the Small Business Work-
force Pipeline Act to help small businesses offer more apprentice-
ships and on-the-job training opportunities.
In order to alleviate the labor shortage and support small busi-
nesses, it is vital to harness the potential of people with disabilities
and to also promote skilled trades. By focusing on these areas,
3

there is potential for significant improvement in the labor market,
ultimately benefiting both small businesses and the broader econ-
omy.
First, want to thank our witnesses again for joining us today. I
look forward to the conversation ahead.
And with that, I yield to our distinguished Ranking Member
from Kentucky, Mr. McGarvey.
Mr. MCGARVEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for
bringing us together today to discuss how we can tackle one of the
most persistent challenges that faces small businesses and our
economy. That is the workforce shortage.
Everywhere I go—I bet it is the same in your district too—every-
where I go, we are hearing the same thing: Small business owners
are struggling to find and keep qualified workers. It is not just an-
ecdotal, though. There are survey upon survey upon survey con-
firming that finding workers is the top operational challenge facing
small businesses. More than inflation, more than supply chains,
more than regulations.
This isn’t new. Even before the pandemic, there were workforce
shortages, particularly in the skilled trades. Part of the problem is
the longstanding misconception that the only path to the middle
class is through a 4-year college degree. Unfortunately, we know
that college, while right for some, is not right for everyone. But our
focus on college has led to a chronic underfunding of career and vo-
cational training programs that would help fill those jobs in the
highest demand today.
Thankfully, over the past few years, we are doing better, and we
are seeing real investment in workforce training and apprentice-
ships and a surge in interest by young people. For instance, ap-
prenticeships have more than doubled over the past decade, help-
ing younger people earn while they learn and enter high-paying
jobs without shouldering the cost and the debt of a college degree.
In Kentucky alone we have seen a 144 percent increase in ap-
prenticeship enrollment in the last decade. That number continues
to grow. Programs at the high school level, such as career and tech-
nical education programs, are gaining popularity as well. And they
help students develop skills that can guide them into apprentice-
ships on traditional education pathways.
Because of their newfound popularity, the biggest problem with
these programs is now finding available instructors rather than
convincing students to enroll.
It is time for Congress to invest in career and technical education
so that we can reap the full benefits of our investments, and trans-
formative legislation, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the
CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act. These laws
create millions of jobs, but those jobs require specific skill sets, and
we must ensure that we are providing the training needed to fill
them.
Apprenticeship programs too are not only essential for training
workers but offer avenues to entrepreneurship. For apprentices in-
terested in starting their own businesses, union trainers can help
them access courses that introduce them to the management side
of the industry.
4

While I am optimistic about the progress we have made, we
know there is still a long way to go. Other industrialized nations
are investing far more in workforce development than we are. The
U.S. currently invests less than $20 billion across 43 federal em-
ployment and training programs, less than .01 percent of our GDP,
while our peers are putting up five times that amount.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, the back-
bone of the federal government’s workforce development efforts, are
both underutilized and underfunded, and since 2019, unauthorized.
Earlier this year, the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan
reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,
and we hope to see the Senate follow suit soon.
Any of you who are sports fans will understand what I mean
when I say that our workforce development system, like the Uni-
versity of Kentucky and the University of Louisville basketball
teams, is in a rebuilding phase. But with the right investments and
approach, we can build something stronger that meets the needs of
our economy, supports small businesses, and gives every American
the chance and opportunity to get ahead. Building the workforce of
tomorrow begins with our investments today.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, and I yield back.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Mr. McGarvey.
For the record, as a New York Mets fan, we are always in the
rebuilding phase. This may, however, be our year.
Somebody who knows a little bit about sports as well, let me rec-
ognize the distinguished gentleman from Texas, the Chairman of
the full Committee, Mr. Williams.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Well, thank you. And I don’t know if this is the
year for the Mets. Don’t get too—they are close right now.
Chairman MOLINARO. It is never the year for the Mets.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Good morning. And I want to thank my good
friend, Chairman Molinaro, for holding today’s Subcommittee hear-
ing to discuss our nation’s current labor shortage and workforce de-
velopment issues.
To start off, I would like to thank our witnesses for being here.
Thank you very much. We appreciate you taking the time to come
out and contribute to a very important discussion today.
And to put this simply, main street is facing a dire labor short-
age, with 90 percent of businesses reporting few or no qualified ap-
plicants in August. Industries like construction are particularly af-
fected, with the projection showing the need for over 500,000 addi-
tional workers annually. This is why it is more important than
ever that we promote skilled trades to grow our economy and com-
bat the workforce shortage. These jobs are not only in demand but
also allow people to learn a valued skill without needing to take
on tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt in order to get
the proper training.
So additionally, there is another segment of our population that
has been overlooked as we look to have more people enter the
workforce, and people with disabilities are very entrepreneurial
and can add value to many businesses. We have already heard
about the first hearing we held with Congress where we had a 16-
year-old, Drew Davis, come before us, talk about his story of cre-
ating his own hot sauce company. He has cerebral palsy, but he did
5

not let it hold him back as he pursued his dream. His story was
inspiring, and it showed that with a little help, anyone can be an
entrepreneur in America.
So I want to again thank Chairman Molinaro for—and the Rank-
ing Member for bringing the Committee to—attention to these
workforce issues that are affecting main street businesses, and I
look forward to today’s conversations.
And I yield back.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me now introduce our witnesses.
First, with us here today is Ms. Ashley Gamba. Ms. Gamba is
the executive director of Community Options, Inc., located in Bing-
hamton, New York. Founded in 1989, Community Options is a na-
tionwide nonprofit organization that develops housing and employ-
ment opportunities for people with intellectual, physical, and devel-
opmental disabilities. Since its founding, Community Options has
expanded their services to over 10 States, partnering with local
governments to provide employment opportunities across the coun-
try.
Throughout my time in public service, I can tell you that Com-
munity Options has been a leader and a voice for our disability
community, especially throughout Broome County in New York
State.
One of the organization’s most memorable events is the annual
Cupid’s Chase in Binghamton, which brings together our commu-
nity in support for those with disabilities. From hosting job train-
ing events to building out their new pharmacy technician workforce
program to creating an internship program with Legends at Yan-
kee Stadium, Community Options empowers those with disabilities
to meaningfully contribute to main street and lead more inde-
pendent lives.
Ms. Gamba has been with Community Options, Inc., since 2017,
when she began as the State Director of Employment Services be-
fore moving to her current position last year as Executive Director.
Ms. Gamba attended the University of Buffalo, where she earned
her Master’s of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation counseling.
And I am certainly grateful to you for joining us here today for
today’s discussion.
Our next witness is Mr. Frank Stento. Mr. Stento is the Director
of Business Development in District Council Number 4 Painters &
Allied Trades, located in Binghamton, New York. District Council
4 represents 2,000 active and retired men and women in 33 coun-
ties throughout western and central New York. Representing those
in the finishing trades, District 4 has been a leader in providing
high-quality, work-based training programs for those seeking a ca-
reer in the trades.
Mr. Stento has been involved with District 4 since 2018, where
he began as Business Development Specialist. In addition to his po-
sition as Director of Business Development, Mr. Stento serves as
the President of District Council 4 Local 178 and is Vice President
of the Binghamton-Oneonta Building Trades.
Mr. Stento earned his Associate’s of Arts and Science in work-
force development and training from Mountwest Community &
Technical College. I’m a big fan of community colleges.
6

Thank you, sir, for joining us today for this conversation.
And now let me recognize Ranking Member McGarvey to intro-
duce our last witness appearing before us today.
Mr. MCGARVEY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Our final witness today is Mr. Neal Strange. He is director of
education at the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Car-
penters. Three States, but one gets a little more emphasis there
from us. And he is part of the Joint Apprenticeship & Training
Fund.
Mr. Strange is a 15-year Member of the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America, and currently serves as direc-
tor of education, overseeing the operations of nine training centers
across Indiana and Kentucky. These centers support over 4,000 ap-
prentices as well as the continuing education program.
Mr. Strange is himself a graduate of UBC’s 4-year apprenticeship
program and holds an associate of applied science in construction
technologies and a journeyman carpenter designation.
After working in the field, he transitioned to a career in edu-
cation, becoming a full-time instructor in 2022.
Thank you, Mr. Strange, for joining us today.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Mr. McGarvey.
We appreciate you all being here today with us.
I do want to extend our appreciation to the staff of the Small
Business Committee and, of course, our two offices for coordinating
today’s hearing.
And before recognizing the witnesses, let me also remind each of
you that your testimony today is restricted to 5 minutes. If you see
the light turn red in front of you, it means your time is up. And
Mr. McGarvey gets very, very anxious. And to the extent you can,
please just wrap up your testimony at that point.
And with that, let me recognize Ms. Gamba for your opening re-
marks. Thank you.
STATEMENTS OF MS. ASHLEY GAMBA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
COMMUNITY OPTIONS, INC.; MR. FRANK STENTO, DIRECTOR
OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, PAINTERS AND ALLIED
TRADES UNION DISTRICT COUNCIL #4; AND MR. NEAL
STRANGE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, INDIANA KENTUCKY
OHIO REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS JOINT APPREN-
TICESHIP AND TRAINING FUND

STATEMENT OF MS. ASHLEY GAMBA
Ms. GAMBA. Dear Chairman Williams, Ranking Member
McGarvey, Members of the U.S. House Committee on Small Busi-
ness, as the executive director for Community Options New York,
I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide written testimony,
or verbal testimony, to the U.S. House Committee on Small Busi-
ness regarding workforce training programs that are available to
help small business owners expand their labor pool.
Over the past year, we have supported over 5,000 people with
disabilities, including 2,100 people receiving employment services,
assisting them with developing the skills needed to obtain and
maintain meaningful, competitive, integrated employment.
7

Community Options has had the opportunity to develop innova-
tive training programs in partnership with numerous businesses to
assist with positive employment outcomes for people with disabil-
ities across New York State. We have partnered with Legends at
Yankee Stadium to provide hands-on integrated training in the fol-
lowing areas: merchandising, food service, customer service, and re-
tail. By providing work readiness training to assist participants
with building the soft skills related to employment, hands-on expe-
rience to develop transferable work skills, and on-site training and
support, we have successfully placed over 200 individuals in paid
work experiences that have resulted in 80 percent of placement in
competitive employment settings.
Additionally, through partnership with the NBA Foundation,
Community Options has received funding to provide training and
employment supports to minority youth with disabilities across sev-
eral States. This funding has enabled us to identify youth with dis-
abilities and provide work readiness training, career exploration
counseling, job placement, and job coaching services. This couldn’t
be done without our small business partners, local businesses and
organizations that have assisted with allowing us the opportunity
to provide on-site training and job coaching supports to the individ-
uals that we work with.
Most recently, we have had the opportunity to partner with CVS
Health to provide retail, front and back store, supervisor training,
and a Department of Labor-funded pre-apprenticeship training pro-
gram for pharm technicians, or pharmacy technicians. Through this
partnership we have had the opportunity to build a career readi-
ness center offering hands-on training to further develop the trans-
ferable work skills required for competitive employment.
In our ever-evolving economy, it has become apparent that hiring
to meet the needs of many small businesses has proven to be dif-
ficult. In a recent survey conducted by SCORE, more than 50 per-
cent of small businesses reported that it was very or somewhat dif-
ficult to fill open positions, citing it has been most problematic to
find skilled or qualified workers.
Additionally, according to the Society for Human Resources Man-
agement, approximately 97 percent of HR professionals and 92 per-
cent of people managers say that employees with disabilities often
perform at the same or better level than their coworkers without
disabilities, yet this population often faces significant challenges
when attempting to obtain meaningful employment.
As always, we are very thankful for our small business partners
who work closely with our agency to provide employment opportu-
nities for people with disabilities. We encourage small businesses
across the country to partner with local agencies to increase the
availability and accessibility to training programs designed to train
and develop the skills of this underrepresented population.
And we also urge Congress to continue to strengthen funding for
the vocational and pre-apprenticeship opportunities for both youth
and adults with disabilities.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Ashley. Appreciate that very
much.
I now recognize Mr. Stento for your 5-minute opening remarks.
8
STATEMENT OF MR. FRANK STENTO
Mr. STENTO. Thank you.
Good morning, Chairman Williams, Chairman Molinaro, and es-
teemed Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the invite to
give testimony today on my experience with registered apprentice-
ship programs and the—and how they can impact positively work-
force development moving forward.
So I have got a great—I have a great deal of gratitude for my
organization, the International Union of Painters and Allied
Trades; for the small business owners, also known as the sub-
contractors, who employed me out in the field; for my instructors
and journey workers that supported and trained me to become a
skilled craftsman; and then to my mentors that challenged me and
took the time to help me develop.
What do those all have in common? The workforce model of a
registered apprenticeship program, which has a rich history in the
United States and has a bright future to come.
Like many others before me, this system provided me an oppor-
tunity, a purpose, and the tools to achieve success. Apprenticeship
in the skilled trades offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on
experience while earning a living.
Unlike traditional classroom education, as Ranking Member
McGarvey said, an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship allows you
to gain knowledge by working under the guidance of experienced
professionals in the industry. Practical training ensures that you
develop the technical skills necessary to excel in your chosen field,
whether it is plumbing, electrical, carpentry, or like myself, in the
finishing trades. This leads to full-time employment, providing a
clear path to a stable career without the burden of student loan
debt.
The other 4-year degree is what we commonly reference a reg-
istered apprenticeship program. Although the timeframe depending
on a craft and curriculum can be anywhere from 3 to 5 years.
Beyond the technical skills, apprenticeships also foster personal
development. They teach you how to work in real-world environ-
ments, solve problems on the spot, and communicate effectively on
job sites and beyond. These skills are invaluable across many areas
of life and make apprentices highly sought after by employers.
Furthermore, the demand for skilled tradespeople continues to
grow, offering long-term job security and competitive wages. With
the abundance of mega products on the horizon, combined with a
workforce that is aging, there is an urgency to get new candidates
in the pipeline to sustain the industry for those small business
owners long term.
Apprenticeship not only builds expertise but sets the foundation
for a rewarding and sustainable career. In apprenticeship school,
our instructors teach hands-on applications and best practices. A
large component is dedicated to health and safety to minimize acci-
dents in the field. There is conversations around tools, equipment,
and technologies in the craft. Training around financial literacy, so-
cial skills, the history of the trade, and advances in the industry
are also incorporated. We complete mockups in-house for repetition
in the craft and perform projects for nonprofits in the community.
9

After apprenticeship school, there is a huge focus on journey
worker upgrading, as we have an obligation to maintain our rep-
utation as the most highly skilled, safe, and productive workforce
performing our crafts.
We have—pardon me. We have an online learning management
system with hundreds of courses to choose from, including blue-
print reading, estimating essentials, and project management. This
helps with the retention of our workforce, and the constant training
makes those involved more employable.
The way we have our apprenticeship set up, it is called block
training, which is 4 full weeks a year during the months of Janu-
ary through April. The rest of the apprenticeship is made up of on-
the-job training with our contracted partners and our skilled jour-
ney workers.
A high-paying and sustainable career with benefits in the con-
struction field is the ultimate purpose of a registered apprentice-
ship program. With continuing education and training opportuni-
ties, additional pathways can be accessed in the industry.
Some of the best and brightest foremen, superintendents, project
managers, contractors—and the list goes on—came through an ap-
prenticeship program with—and had field experience.
I completed my apprenticeship in 2016. I received 40 college
credits through an articulation agreement with Mountwest Com-
munity & Technical College, which I am grateful for. I then fin-
ished my associate’s degree. I was running projects in the field and
started instructing part time through our district council, which
then eventually led to a full-time staff position in business develop-
ment, also known as organizing.
Now one of the best parts of my career is seeing others come in
and find similar success and watching their trajectories and life
change. An apprenticeship program is a great way to start a career,
as well as a necessary system to continue the pipeline of skilled
journey workers to business owners.
Any opportunities that we have to increase apprenticeships will
greatly assist the challenges surrounding supply and demand that
dominate recent conversation in the industry, while simultaneously
raising up those middle-class workers.
I thank you for your time, and look forward to your questions.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thanks, Frank.
Mr. Strange, for your opening remarks.
STATEMENT OF MR. NEAL STRANGE
Mr. STRANGE. Yes. So good morning, Chairman Molinaro,
Ranking Member McGarvey, and Members of the Committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
My name is Neal Strange, as addressed earlier by Mr. McGarvey.
I am the director of education for the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Re-
gional Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training
Fund, also a 15-year Member of the UBC, and a graduate of the
program myself.
I am here to provide an overview of our apprenticeship program
and the continuing education we offer to our Members. This pro-
gram is not just about learning a trade. It is about ensuring our
Members are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to
10

thrive in an ever-changing industry. Our council consists of 38,000
Members within Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, and over 550,000
Members across the United States and Canada. We represent the
carpenters, millwrights, piledrivers, and floor layers who are build-
ing our country’s bridges, highways, manufacturing sites, hospitals,
schools, and power production facilities.
At the core of our training philosophy is the belief that our con-
tractors must remain relevant and prepared for both existing and
emerging construction markets. To achieve this, we partner closely
with contractors, manufacturers, and local universities to meet
their specific needs. Together, we provide a robust training cur-
riculum that emphasizes both productivity and safety, ensuring
that our Members deliver high-quality product on every site.
One of the greatest strengths of our program is that all training
is provided at no cost to the individual Members. Funding for our
programs comes from contributions made for every hour worked on
a job site by our signatory contractors. Nevertheless, we lift the fi-
nancial burden off of those contractors, allowing them to focus on
project execution without worrying about additional expenses re-
lated to training workers and ensuring their workforce has the
proper certifications necessary for specific jobs. Our members ben-
efit from a top-tier education while our contractors benefit from a
highly skilled workforce.
In terms of compensation, our apprentices are paid on a scaled
wage basis. The wage structure provides apprentices with fair com-
pensation as they build their skills, which further incentivizes re-
tention and productivity. This model also allows our contractors to
remain competitive in the market while employing highly trained
and motivated workers.
We offer multiple pathways into our program, creating accessi-
bility for our diverse group of candidates. We have partnerships
with high school career and technical education programs, adult
education initiatives, State and county reentry programs, and mili-
tary veteran organizations, such as Helmets to Hardhats and our
own internal military veterans program. These pathways ensure
that we are tapping into a wide range of talent allowing for diver-
sity and inclusion in our workforce.
In the past 4 years, our apprenticeship enrollment has grown by
40 percent, reflecting both the demand for skilled labor and also
the increasing awareness of the opportunities our program offers
for career growth and development. Current enrollment across our
three States totals more than 6,900 apprentices. This includes 22
percent minority enrollment and 6 percent female enrollment.
From the moment an apprentice begins our program, safety be-
comes an integral part of their education. Beginning with an OSHA
10 certification and continuing throughout their apprenticeship,
safety protocols are embedded into every aspect of training. A safe
worker is an effective worker, and this foundation is key to the lon-
gevity of their career and the protection of our job sites.
For Members who aspire to further advance their careers beyond
the apprenticeship, we offer additional pathways into leadership
roles, project management, and business ownership. Whether a
Member seeks to move into superintendent or management posi-
tions or has an entrepreneurial spirit and wishes to start their own
11

contracting business, our continuing education resources equip
them with the skills and confidence to succeed.
We recognize the importance of nurturing leadership from with-
in, and our specialized programs allow our Members to thrive in
roles that require strategic thinking and operational oversight.
Our program’s reach extends well beyond training the individual.
We play a crucial role in economic development by placing our
skilled workers on the jobs that span from small business ventures
to large-scale national projects. For smaller contractors looking to
explore new markets, we provide access to a pool of well-trained
workers who can meet the demands of these new opportunities.
Meanwhile, larger contractors, particularly those involved in
mega projects related to the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation
Reduction Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also
benefit from our training programs.
Since 2023, more than 4,500 Members within our three-State
council have been employed in projects stemming from these acts,
including Intel, Ford Blue Oval, and numerous renewable energy
projects, covering solar, hydro, and wind. These initiatives require
a workforce that is both large and highly skilled, which our pro-
gram delivers.
Since our inception in 1881, the UBC has organized the member-
ship necessary to meet contractor and end-user needs. Our pri-
vately funded training keeps us ahead of the curve. We understand
that if our signatory contractors are not successful, we will not be
successful. We have no seniority in our collective bargaining agree-
ments, and no contractor is bound to employ a Member they find
unproductive. This competitive environment is necessary for our
success, and this is done at no cost to the taxpayer.
In summary, our apprenticeship program and continuing edu-
cation initiatives are designed to support both our Members and
the contractors they serve. We provide cost-free, high-quality train-
ing that focuses on safety, competitiveness, career advancement,
and long-term development. By doing so, we help drive economic
growth, foster innovation, and build a workforce that is ready to
meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Thank you for your time.
Chairman MOLINARO. Well done. Thank you.
I appreciate all of you.
We will begin the question round under the 5-minute rule. And
with that, I recognize myself for 5 minutes.
Ms. Gamba, I want to start with you. We have talked about this
extensively. Certainly, acknowledging that, since the pandemic,
nearly 2 million Americans with disabilities have joined the work-
force; it is a 28 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels. Yet as
we all recognize, approximately 70 percent of those with intellec-
tual, physical, and developmental disabilities remain unemployed
and outside the workforce. And that is obviously both a challenge
and an opportunity.
Could we start by just talking, if you would, what are some of
the challenges that business owners either articulate or you know
face when hiring those with disabilities, and what steps might we
take to make that transition into the workforce easier for the em-
ployer?
12

Ms. GAMBA. I think they are often worried or concerned about,
like, the stigma or the liability of hiring somebody that might need
additional supports. As an agency, we—if we are going in to pro-
vide any intensive——
Chairman MOLINARO. You can continue.
Ms. GAMBA.—intensive, you know, job training support, we will
add the employer on to our liability insurance, which will kind of,
I guess, alleviate some of the concerns that an employer may have.
Chairman MOLINARO. Those—so those supports through likely
the support staff and what have you, what are the challenges,
then, the agency faces in providing those—that support?
Ms. GAMBA. Employers may be concerned about having the in-
dividuals onsite. They might not communicate very well, allowing
us to provide any intervention that may be needed. And then work-
place accommodations, there is often a concern about any money
that a small business would have to spend.
Chairman MOLINARO. So why don’t you tell us one of the bene-
fits or at least we identify the benefits that that employer would
see by bringing in and ultimately employing an individual with a
disability.
Ms. GAMBA. I think that it helps with turnover. Our—the indi-
viduals that we put into different small businesses have identified
that they have the skills for the job and the interest in working
there. So if we are in there helping with any intensive job training
or supports, they tend to remain employed for longer periods of
time and it reduces turnover.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Ashley.
Frank, let me say this without question. The skilled trades are
the backbone of upstate New York.
Mr. STENTO. Thank you.
Chairman MOLINARO. And, frankly, you all contribute both to
our economy, keeping our neighbors employed, and I will say, mak-
ing sure that projects are staffed by New Yorkers and not employ-
ment from out of State or out of country.
You talk a lot about—and, of course, Mr. McGarvey acknowl-
edged—the earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship model. Can you
just expand a little bit on the benefits of registered apprentice-
ships? And within the time I have, what steps can we take to ex-
pand access to and support those registered apprenticeship pro-
grams?
Mr. STENTO. Sure. Thank you.
You know, one thing in addition to what I had already mentioned
in my testimony would be hour one our apprentices are starting to
gain contributions towards their healthcare and towards their re-
tirement. In addition, they have structured pay raises that are—
that we work with the New York State Department of Labor
throughout their apprenticeship program as they move—as they
progress through that. They have eligibility for employee assurance
programs.
And then the biggest thing that I would say an advantage for an
apprentice coming in would be they are building up a skilled craft
that is highly—that is in very high demand, highly marketable.
And once they learn that skilled craft from our journey workers
and our small business owners when they are out in the field, there
13

is nobody that can take that away from them. They are going to
have the ability to go and provide for themselves and their families
for the rest of their lives.
So one thing that I will say that something that our government
partners could assist with would be looking into more apprentice-
ship language on all projects moving forward, which would
incentivize our small business owners, our contractors, to increase
the ratios of apprentices on projects upcoming.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you for that. I will say, in local
government, the first step we took was to require apprentice lan-
guage in our major contracts, which just enhances the pipeline and
gets folks from maybe K-12, right, into the workforce and prepared.
I do want to note before acknowledging Mr. McGarvey, the more
usual than you would imagine bipartisan support for both trying
to advance those with disabilities into the workforce and the trades
on the ground.
And with that, let me acknowledge Mr. McGarvey for his 5 min-
utes.
Mr. MCGARVEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you to all of the witnesses for being here today, for your
incredibly thoughtful testimony. We really appreciate it. And want
to give a special thanks to Mr. Strange who came up here from my
region of the country.
And, Mr. Chairman, you talked about how the trades are the
backbone of upstate New York, and certainly in Louisville, Ken-
tucky, we feel the same way. I say all the time, Louisville is a
union town. And truly, from the fact that every Ford Escape and
every Ford F-250 and above is made in Louisville, Kentucky, and
that our baseball bats and even our bourbon are made with union
labor right there in Louisville, Kentucky. And we—we appreciate
all the carpenters from Local 175 do for our city and our commu-
nity.
With apprenticeships’ proven track record of success—I think
that is important here. We are not talking about something theo-
retical. We know that these apprenticeship programs work—it
seems that it is a wasted opportunity to not continue investing in
these programs. So I am excited to have this hearing today to uplift
these initiatives, as the Chairman said, in a bipartisan way.
Mr. Strange, I am going to start with you. How has the increased
availability and popularity of the apprenticeship programs changed
the calculus of young people who are looking for the next step, and
what are you seeing on the ground?
Mr. STRANGE. Well, as I addressed in my opening remarks, we
have seen 40 percent growth in 3 years alone inside of our appren-
ticeship programs. We are seeing more and more involved at the
CT level at the high schools, increased partnerships at high
schools, and also other entry-level pathways for us.
So with that, we are just seeing more and more availability,
more opportunities to grow. And also, we are seeing a better view
of the general public on who we are and what we have to offer, es-
pecially with parents of children that are coming out of these pro-
grams. We actually do nights with them specifically to be able to
explain to them who we are, why we are going to provide that safe
work environment for their children whenever they come out. That
14

is a big concern from parents. So we found some trade on those
type of efforts.
Mr. MCGARVEY. Appreciate that. I think two things we have
agreed on today and that we know, we know apprenticeship pro-
grams work, we know that small businesses right now need quali-
fied workers. And so we are trying to get that done.
When you are looking at the apprenticeship program, how many
of your apprenticeship programs are—your apprentices are going to
small businesses to work in those sectors, and how are they kind
of helping small businesses fill those gaps and meet their goals in
terms of having qualified workers?
Mr. STRANGE. So as Frank talked about earlier in his portion
as well, you know, with the larger projects that are coming along,
that is offering opportunity for a lot of smaller businesses to step
in. By us providing the skilled workforce for them to be able to
have to go provide the workforce they need on these projects, and
then also the training that they need to be able to—and we are see-
ing a lot of job sites that have requirements on them for certifi-
cations for Members to be able to hold—we provide that training
opportunity for them and also provide that opportunity for that
workforce.
Mr. MCGARVEY. And, Mr. Stento, I will go over to you as well.
Mr. Strange just mentioned a 40 percent increase in their appren-
ticeship programs. Are you seeing similar type numbers in your
area?
Mr. STENTO. We are seeing significant increases. We actually
just had our largest apprenticeship class since I have been on staff,
which is over 6 years, about 250 apprentices that are going to be
coming in for this coming school year. So there has been, and it has
been intentional, right.
We see the need to work with our retirees that are coming up
with the mega projects that we are going to have to have some ur-
gency that has to be strategic and how we intend to fulfill these
projects. So there has been, yes, a major increase in our Members
as well and other trades in the Broome County region.
Some of our apprenticeship programs, the carpenters up there
just a little north of Broome County, in Onondaga, just opened up
a new training facility. Plumbers and pipefitters are doing the
same thing, all in the anticipation of increased apprenticeship
numbers so that we are able to fulfill pipeline to our small business
owners in years to come.
And then these apprentices will eventually be the future of our—
they are the future of our workforce and of the industry, and they
will be able to, in a short period of time, relatively, have the skills
necessary to be then mentoring and teaching the generation fol-
lowing them.
Mr. MCGARVEY. And thank you so much. As we run out of
time, I will just underscore your point. You said that they are, in
fact, the future of your workforce. We have got these major projects
coming up, things coming up from the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law, et cetera.
But by being the future, we also know and agree that is the
backbone of our community, the future of our community as well.
So we appreciate that testimony.
15

Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Mr. McGarvey.
Let me now recognize for 5 minutes the gentlewoman from Cali-
fornia, Ms. Chu.
Ms. CHU. Well, I want to thank all the witnesses for all your
great work in putting people to work. So thank you for that.
Mr. Strange, you have helped individuals from so many walks of
life enter the job market prepared and trained in the incredibly im-
portant field of carpentry, which is especially critical for taking full
advantage of the investments made by the Inflation Reduction Act
and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
I believe local workforce training facilities are a key component
to meeting this growing need and supporting our nation’s workers,
which is why I secured community project funding for two work-
force development and job training facilities in my district. This in-
cludes the Pasadena facilities for jobs creation training and edu-
cation center. It recognizes the fact that a 4-year college degree is
not for everybody. And this will help connect high school age stu-
dents to vocational training for so many different fields, including
EMT training, automotive technology, construction, and building
trades, and even robotics.
So I would like to hear you talk about how community-based job
training programs like this one can help support apprenticeship
programs offered by unions like yours. How can these types of pro-
grams work together to help build a bigger pipeline into important
trades like carpentry?
Mr. STRANGE. Yes. So one of the ways that we already have es-
tablished in our area is that we can provide an articulation agree-
ment along with them. So if they have the requirements met inside
of their training facilities, that can be a direct entry pathway into
our programs.
So with that, as long as everything inside of those facilities is
there in line, we work together with to create that, and we also
provide a curriculum pathway to be able to provide for those that
want with our own internal UBC-designed program for that type
of need.
Ms. CHU. Okay. That is wonderful.
I would like to have Mr. Strange and then Mr. Stento answer
this question, which is, the work you do is a testament to the
strength and importance of our nation’s unions. Because Democrats
passed and President Biden signed into law the landmark Inflation
Reduction Act, so many new job opportunities in the green energy
space have become available, which you mentioned in your testi-
mony.
And because the Inflation Reduction Act provided special bonus
tax credits to businesses that pay prevailing wages and support
registered apprenticeship programs on their projects, unions play a
critical role in providing the specialized on-the-job training to ap-
prentices on these projects.
So can you talk about the role that unions and their workers
play in developing the diverse and skilled workforce that our coun-
try needs?
Mr. STRANGE. I can speak to that one directly in our area. So
first off, you addressed on there because of the strong apprentice-
ship requirements on these projects that has given our contractors
16

a leg up and be able to. With the solar industry in particular, we
have partnered together with many manufacturers that have come
in. We provided the training that they have had for their specific
products, and we have been able to meet the needs going out on
to those. And currently, this year alone, we have produced over 2
million work hours in our three-State council to be able to meet the
needs on and—because of those acts.
Mr. STENTO. Okay. So in our industry, we cover—two of the
crafts that we cover, I think, would fall underneath this. Industrial
coatings, bridges, tanks, water towers, which we have certifications
for—for the coatings applicators, as well as for the contractors that
are performing these. And as you mentioned, part of some of these
tax credits are tied into apprenticeships.
So we are seeing an uptick in—you know, from the engineers, as
well as developers, working more in tandem with our signatory
contractors.
Another craft that we cover is glass glazing architectural metal.
So you have got dynamic glass, you have got 179D tax credits that
are—that do have some overlap with that industry as well. Green
energy, total building envelope.
So this is something that we have, what is called a—it is a third-
party certification, North American contractor certification on the
small business owner’s side. And then with the actual installer, it
is an architectural glass and metal technician certification.
But you are seeing these specified in a lot more projects so that
there is less rework, but also so that the design is—that is in-
tended, especially when you are looking for energy reduction, is
completed by—by a competent installer and contractor as well. So
we are seeing the architects working on those tax credits with our
contractors.
Ms. CHU. Thank you. I yield pack.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Ms. Chu.
We have gone through the first round of questions. We are going
to actually just do a second round. I know Chairman Williams
wanted to also ask a couple questions.
So without objection, we will begin a second round. We will make
that relatively quick for all of you.
I will start with Ms. Gamba. Just—let’s—we talked a little bit
about the pieces of legislation that we have worked together on, the
Think DIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act, the
Think DIFFERENTLY Small Business Accessibility Act, really try-
ing to get the federal government to partner and use the resources
it has to assist organizations like your own.
If you had a magic wand, what would be the support or resources
necessary to expand your workforce opportunity programming?
Other than money, which, of course, we recognize is necessary.
Ms. GAMBA. I think that the onboarding process for many small
businesses has to be more accessible. So I think if my—if I could
use a magic wand, that would be it. I think a lot of the individuals
that we support in our labor pool are often not able to pass the ini-
tial assessments or anything that pertain to online onboarding.
So I think that right now that would be my biggest barrier. And
if that is something that I had a magic wand, I would fix.
Chairman MOLINARO. Terrific. Thanks very much.
17

Frank, just because you both come from my neck of the woods,
what would you want folks at home to know about both the loca-
tion of opportunities, apprenticeship language, and confront at
least maybe one or two of the, how shall I say, perhaps—I don’t
want to say stigmas, but observations people have about sometimes
employing the trades. How would you overcome some of those—
some hesitance in the community and make those connections that
would keep our friends employed?
Mr. STENTO. Okay.
Chairman MOLINARO. If you know what I am asking.
Mr. STENTO. I am. I think I am following.
So as far as—you know, we refer a lot of times not—discussing
union labor, but local labor. So this is a smart way of our taxpayers
to be spending their money.
For every dollar invested with our local union workforce in our
surrounding areas, it is having a direct impact in the community
and the taxpayer base that are funding these projects. So that
would be one way that I would dissuade anyone who was hesitant
in utilizing union workforce.
Back to the first part of the question discussing the tax incen-
tives and subsidies, apprenticeship language, it makes sense. We
are here talking about the lack of skilled personnel in our—in the
workforce in various industries, specifically for me, construction.
So it would—to me, that would be a way to get more contractors
hiring, putting apprentices on, boosting our ratios, so that we are
flush with skilled workforce 5 to 8 years from now.
Chairman MOLINARO. I thank you, Frank.
That concludes my questions. I will yield the balance of my time.
My colleagues physically to my right, metaphorically to my left, are
going to pass, and we will acknowledge Chairman Williams for his
5 minutes.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And some of you may not know, but I played professional base-
ball for the Atlanta Braves. And notice I said some and not many
of you would know. There is a difference. But I did play with the
Atlanta Braves, and there is really nothing that brings people to-
gether like the America’s pastime.
And, Ms. Gamba, I noticed that your organization, we talked
about it this morning, partnered with the Legends of Yankee Sta-
dium to help people with disabilities find meaningful employment.
So my question is, what types of roles are these individuals per-
forming at the historic Yankee Stadium, and are there other oppor-
tunities your organization is exploring?
Ms. GAMBA. So Legends operates concessions at Yankee Sta-
dium. So the individuals that we—are placed in there are working
in merchandising, retail, and food service primarily.
If we have any individuals that have a specific interest, such as
maybe human resources, they have been open to putting them in
internships in those sites as well.
Mr. WILLIAMS. A lot of opportunities.
Ms. GAMBA. And I would love to get into the Mets, but that——
Mr. WILLIAMS. Well, there is your Met man right there.
Ms. GAMBA. I know.
18

Mr. WILLIAMS. He is ready to make the deal. That is a great
program.
Ms. GAMBA. Yep.
Mr. WILLIAMS. I think MLB is familiar with it, aren’t they,
Major League Baseball?
Ms. GAMBA. Well, our partnership is with Legends, so that is
all I can speak to.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Yeah. But it could be some—it could grow. That
is very good.
There has been a significant shortage in skilled labor across the
country for way too long. And when I was secretary of state of
Texas, we were always looking into infrastructure projects, but we
kept running into the issue of finding enough welders and other
skilled tradesmen to complete the projects. We actually lost a lot
of business because we didn’t have welders in Texas.
Mr. Stento, I have worked with different community colleges
around my district to emphasize their trade school programs. And
so how do you think we should be promoting these options to young
people so we can build up the skilled workforce and let them know
there is options out there other than being a lawyer or an architect
or something?
Mr. STENTO. Thank you, Chairman Williams. I appreciate the
question.
It is something that over the last 2 years I have spent a lot of
time within our district council working on is increasing our brand-
ing and our awareness, and that doesn’t happen with just one
touch or one conversation with our youth. This has to happen early
and it has to happen often.
I am talking about getting in and speaking with youth in ele-
mentary school or even earlier, and working with them over years
bringing an identity to what we do in the trades, to the projects
that we worked on in the community, to testimonials from those
community members who would be able to speak to how these ca-
reers have helped transform their lives.
So early, often, and getting in before discussing with seniors in
high school, who have already had time to make up their minds
elsewhere.
Mr. WILLIAMS. We lose 100,000 kids a year in Texas. They are
dropping out of the ninth grade. And those are the kids we need
to reach out to and let them learn a trade and be very successful
in the economy.
Mr. STENTO. I agree.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Yeah. Mr. Strange, I wanted to ask you a simi-
lar question. Can you talk about some of the work you are doing
to try to get high schoolers who may not know what they want to
do with their futures into the skilled workforce?
Mr. STRANGE. Absolutely. First off, real quick, I want to ad-
dress the welding concern. We have seven training facilities that
we have CWI certifications inside of and, therefore, provide the
welding needs that are needed in our area. So if Texas is needing,
we got them for you.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Tell them to call Governor Abbott.
Mr. STRANGE. So one of the ways—and we are actually in the
season right now where we are doing this. We have open house
19

events. So we are currently—yesterday we hosted one at one of our
facilities. We have another one to follow tomorrow.
As of right now, at five of our facilities to point this year, we
have had over 2,500 high school students come through our facili-
ties to be able to see and tour that. Along with that, we also do
a program where we invite back those students that come, we in-
vite their parents to come meet with us. We do an evening with
them, and we tell them about the opportunity we have, the career
options that we have for their kids—for their students to possibly
enter into. We have actually even had some parents enroll in our
program after they have come and seen who we are and what we
do.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Well, that is great. You may—I am sure you
have already touched on it, Mr. Chairman. But we have a bill that
basically in simple terms makes the State colleges show these kids
what it costs to go to a State university as opposed to a trade
school. Big difference; affecting student debt and all the things we
hear about that come from that. So we need to continue to do that.
I don’t think the economy is complete until we have a workforce
who is complete with trades. And we will never run out of that. So
appreciate what you are doing.
I yield my time back.
Chairman MOLINARO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We appre-
ciate that.
As a long-suffering Mets fan, if we never had to travel to Atlanta
again, we would be much happier. Just saying.
With that, that concludes our round of questioning. I do want to
thank all three of you for your testimony today and being here in
Washington with us.
Again, as mentioned, clearly bipartisan, and this Committee does
distinguish itself under Mr. Williams—Chairman Williams’ leader-
ship in acting in a bipartisan way.
So without objection, Members have 5 legislative days to submit
additional materials and written questions for the witnesses to the
Chair which will be forwarded to the witnesses.
The Ranking Member and I would love at the conclusion of the
meeting just to take a quick photograph with our witnesses to show
our continued support.
If you would, to any written requests, we would ask witnesses to
promptly respond.
And if there is no other business to come before the Committee,
without objection, the Committee is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:56 a.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]
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