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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2020

Contact: Brooke Lillard, 202-225-2965



ICYMI: Blue Dogs Host Rural Opportunity Roundtable Discussion on Education and Workforce Development



WASHINGTON-This week, Rep. Kendra Horn (OK-05), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, moderated a Rural Opportunity Roundtable discussion on education and workforce development<[link removed]>.



A champion for public education, Rep. Horn recently introduced the bipartisan Coronavirus College Access and Completion Emergency Relief Act, which would provide emergency funding to the Federal TRIO Programs to support access to counseling, tutoring, mentoring and technology to help students enter and complete college.



"I was grateful to speak with rural educators and education leaders to hear directly about the unique challenges rural schools and colleges face," said Rep. Kendra Horn (OK-05). "The quality of a child's education should not be based on their zip code or if they grew up in a rural or urban area. COVID-19 has highlighted this divide. Many of our rural students from kindergarten to technical training to college are losing out on a quality education because of a lack of resources. In Congress, I am working to ensure all students receive a quality education. This necessary investment is key to the long-term development of our rural communities."



Rep. Horn was joined by the following special guests for the discussion:



* Dr. Monte Randall, Dean of Academic Affairs, College of the Muscogee Nation
* Dr. Alissa Young, President, Hopkinsville Community College
* Tamara Hiler, Director of Education, Third Way
* Dr. Allen Pratt, Executive Director, National Rural Education Association



To watch the full discussion, click here<[link removed]>.



ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:



The Blue Dogs are developing a forward-looking plan to strengthen rural America by building a strong economic foundation and creating good-paying jobs. As they develop their plan, the Blue Dogs want to hear from policy experts and from those who are experiencing the issues of our time on the ground. That's why the Coalition launched the Rural Opportunity Roundtable series, which began with a discussion with local and tribal leaders<[link removed]> about the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on their communities, followed by a discussion on expanding access to high-speed broadband internet<[link removed]>, a discussion on expanding access to affordable quality health care<[link removed]>, a discussion on mental health care and addiction treatment<[link removed]> in rural communities, a discussion on small business and entrepreneurship<[link removed]>, and a discussion on strengthening the outdoor economy<[link removed]>.



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The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives comprised of fiscally-responsible Democrats, who are leading the way to find commonsense solutions. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people. Visit our website<[link removed]> to learn more, and get the latest news updates by following us on Twitter<[link removed]> or liking us on Facebook<[link removed]>.