A New Generation of Rhode Island Jobs

Dear Friends,

In the past month, I have been working to bring together Rhode Island’s many centers of excellence to improve the jobs outlook in our state and close the skills gap between employers and job seekers. I commissioned a recent Cybersecurity Symposium at the University of Rhode Island, which is at the forefront of preparing students for high-tech jobs that will protect our nation from cyber attacks. If we build on URI’s accomplishments, we can create a trained workforce in Rhode Island for a new industry that is in great demand. (Read more in my op-ed for the Providence Journal.)

During a visit to a successful machining and welding company in Johnston, the owner told me about relationships she forged with state officials through my small business forum. She’s now working with them toward her goal of bringing new high-tech manufacturing to our state. If we work together to help her and others make the right connections, and train a workforce with the right skills to succeed, I have no doubt we will create the job opportunities we need.

As your representative, I enjoy hearing your thoughts, whether in person or in writing. Please stay in touch via email, Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going, and check out my YouTube and Flickr pages.

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin
  

Osama bin Laden Killed by US Forces

The news of Osama bin Laden’s death at the hands of our armed forces is both a strategic and symbolic victory for the United States. It is a major landmark for our outstanding service members and intelligence personnel, psychologically and in the effort to combat terrorism around the world.
Read my full reaction ››
 

Addressing High Gas Prices

I am very concerned by the burden placed on families and businesses by skyrocketing gas prices. There are no easy solutions, but I am advocating short, medium and long-term steps to ease the pain at the pump and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

First, we should reign in speculators on the oil market who hope to drive up the price. We need stricter guidelines for people who buy oil just to sell it at a profit. Second, oil companies need to drill domestically on the millions of dormant acres for which they already have permits. Finally, a commitment to renewable energy, greater vehicle efficiency, and improved green building practices is the only way to reduce our demand for foreign oil and prevent these crises from repeating. I support ending big oil tax subsidies and investing in our energy future instead.
 

Protecting Medicare

House Republicans have proposed a budget for next year that ends Medicare as we know it, increasing seniors’ health costs by an average of $6,400. We need to address our unsustainable debt, but not by asking for sacrifices only from those who can least afford it. This budget gives breaks to multi-millionaires and big corporations, some of which already pay zero income tax. When Warren Buffett says he doesn’t need more help, I believe him. Keeping our commitment to seniors is more important.
 

Raising Awareness of Cyber Threats

Cyber attacks pose a serious risk to our national security. I give the President high marks for his important speech on cybersecurity, but the Administration hasn’t worked quickly enough to finish its review and make public its plan for protecting the country. I set down a marker for legislation with the bipartisan Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act. We need a heightened sense of urgency to enact key protections that deal with our most glaring vulnerabilities.
Watch an interview I gave on national TV regarding cybersecurity ››
 

In the News

ADDRESSING THE BIG ISSUES ON NBC 10
Part 1 ››
Part 2 ››
Part 3 ››

Did You Know...?

CAPITOL FLAGS
You can order American flags flown over the Capitol through my office. I just presented one to the South Kingstown Senior Center. ››

FAST FACT
According to the CIA, the US has no more than 1,000 people with world class skills to compete in Cyberspace — we need 20,000 to 30,000. ››

In Other News

ANNOUNCING 2011 ART COMPETITION WINNER
Congratulations to Coventry High School Junior Michaela Clift, who won the top prize with her drawing entitled “Braving the Elements.” Her work will hang in the US Capitol for one year. ››

ENCOURAGING NEW MANUFACTURING IN RI
Rep. Langevin joined the president of a Johnston machining and welding small business to highlight the company’s efforts to bring high–tech manufacturing jobs to the state. ››

AWARDS LONG OVERDUE
Rep. Langevin honored Navy Veteran and lifelong Warwick resident Edmond Vient with awards earned during World War II, when he was stationed throughout the Pacific. ››

PRIORITIZING EDUCATION AND MEDICARE
During stops in South County, Rep. Langevin discussed responsible ways to address our debt and protect our most important investments in the future. ››

SUPPORTING AUTISM AWARENESS
Rep. Langevin adressed participants at the Autism Project’s Ninth Annual Imagine Walk to express his commitment to work with the organization on funding research and treatment. ››

A NEW DEFENSE TEAM
Rep. Langevin praised President Obama’s nominations of Leon Panetta for Secretary of Defense and Gen. David Petraeus for CIA Director. ››

CYBER LEADERS VISIT URI
Joined by the Director of US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, Rep. Langevin talked about ways to protect ourselves from cyber attacks and help Rhode Island’s economy in the process. ››

OPPOSING A DISASTROUS BUDGET
Rep. Langevin forcefully argued against the plan to eliminate Medicare, slash Medicaid for our most vulnerable citizens, and lay off education and infrastructure employees. ››

HOSTING HIGH SCHOOLERS
Juniors from North Kingstown High School met with Rep. Langevin in his Washington office as part of a trip organized to help them become informed and engaged participants in our democracy. ››