State of the Union: Who from Rhode Island Is Going?

Each member of the state’s Congressional delegation has invited one guest from Rhode Island to attend the State of the Union address next week. Find out who’s been invited—and what the invitations say about the priorities and agendas of the Congressmen who invited them.

Sen. Jack Reed Rhode Island’s senior Senator has invited José Marcano, the owner of The Water’s Edge Café in Cranston. “Senator Reed is focused on helping local businesses create jobs and he invited Mr. Marcano to highlight a local business owner who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit,” said spokesman Chip Unruh. This will not be the first time the two men have met: Marcano also attended Reed’s Rhode Island Business Leader’s Day in Washington last September and he invited the Senator to the opening event for his business.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Has invited a local manufacturing leader, Leslie Taito, the CEO of the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service (RIMES). Whitehouse this month has been touring local manufacturers to discuss the economic challenges they have as part of his “Making It in Rhode Island” tour. “My priority is to keep fighting to get our economy back on track. That means bringing new business to our state, but it also means supporting existing companies and keeping good jobs here,” said Whitehouse. “RIMES plays an important role in helping Rhode Island manufacturers grow and create jobs, and I look forward to working with Leslie to help our local businesses succeed.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Rep. David Cicilline Rhode Island’s newly inaugurated Congressman will be hosting Dale Blaess, who is a kindergarten teacher at the William J. Underwood Elementary School in Newport. Blaess was recently named Teacher of the Year in Newport and is a winner of the Milken Family Foundation Award. In his invitation letter, Cicilline said Blaess’ work reminded him of the responsibility Congress has in ensuring young people have access to a first rate education.

“I am proud of your service to the State of Rhode Island and to the children whose lives you shape each day,” Cicilline wrote. “There is no responsibility more important than providing our young people with the best education we can to compete and succeed in the global economy, and that begins with an excellent teacher. Our students are competing with children not just from neighboring cities and towns but from China, Japan, India and the world.”

Rep. Jim Langevin Is bringing Providence Mayor Angel Taveras to highlight “their shared belief that Rhode Island’s road” to economic prosperity begins “in our classrooms,” according to a news release. “Each year, I invite a guest to the State of the Union who can help bring attention to important issues facing Rhode Island and our nation. Mayor Taveras has made education a top priority of his administration, and I, too, believe this is one of the most critical issues facing our state,” Langevin said.

“I’m gratified that Congressman Langevin is such a strong ally and advocate in Washington, DC for improving public education,” Taveras said. “I know first-hand the transformative power of a great education. We must continue to strengthen our community through education and workforce training and remember that 21st century jobs require 21st century skills. These skills start in our classrooms and with our teachers, and that is why we cannot talk about strengthening our economy without talking about strengthening education.”
 

429 Too Many Requests

---

openresty