Senator Baucus Given Top Honor From Nation’s Community Colleges

Senator Named 2011 National Education Service Award Recipient

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus has earned the top honor for his commitment to education from the nation’s community colleges. The non-profits American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) honored Baucus this week with the "2011 National Education Service Award."

"I’m humbled by this award, but inspired to keep doing even more to support the critical role community colleges play in Montana’s economy. Montana’s traditional timber and wood products industries have been hit hard. Our community colleges have been there time and again to help workers retool and get back into the workforce in good-paying jobs. Whether it’s the Flathead Valley Community College or Miles Community College, Montana truly relies on our strong community colleges to prepare workers for good-paying jobs," said Baucus. "Montanans have a world-famous work ethic and our community colleges go one step further in providing top-notch training and access to new job opportunities."

The National Education Service Award goes to a national leader who has made extraordinary efforts to support education, training and post-secondary learning.

The AACC and ACCT hailed Baucus for spearheading one of the most comprehensive expansions and overhauls of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which helps laid off workers access retraining benefits to help them re-enter the job market. Baucus was also recognized for his efforts to expand important tax credits to support college education for families in Montana and across the country. Flathead Valley Community College president, Jane Karas presented Baucus with the award at last night’s ceremony. In the last 4 years, 700 students at Flathead Valley Community College have enrolled in training made available through the TAA program. In fiscal year 2011, FVCC trained 219 students. "It was an honor to recognize Senator Baucus for all of his efforts to provide funding to support our nation’s community colleges and opportunities for all students to have access to affordable education. We are grateful not only for his leadership but for his friendship to all community colleges," Karas said.

Miles Community College President, Stefani Hicswa, a member of the Association of Community College Trustees, attended the event and shared some of the ways Baucus’ efforts are helping students in Miles City. "Max has worked hard for our community colleges in Montana as well as for community colleges throughout the nation. He understands the imperative role community colleges play in training our nation’s workforce. He is very deserving of this prestigious honor and I’m proud to call him a friend," said Hicswa.

Since Baucus championed the 2009 overhaul of the TAA program, hundreds more Montanans who have lost their jobs have become eligible for training programs, health care and wage assistance. TAA benefits have helped more than 80 workers laid off from Montana Rail Link as a result of the Smurfit-Stone containerboard mill closure in Missoula. The expanded benefits have also helped hundreds of workers laid off from Semitool and the now closed Columbia Falls Aluminum company.

TAA in Montana by the Numbers:

· More than 1,100 workers in Montana are now participating in the TAA program

· Montana has received $8,229,103 in training funds.

BAUCUS Education Award 1

In this photo from left to right:

Bob Nystuen, FVCC Trustee; Stefani Hicswa, President MCC; Jane Karas, President FVCC; United States Senator Max Baucus; Carol McElwain, Tom McElwain, FVCC Trustee; Tom Harding, FVCC Trustee

Additional information:

As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has sole jurisdiction over trade, Baucus has championed the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program which extends job training to workers, ranchers and farmers who have lost jobs because of increased imports or as a result of factories sending jobs overseas. Earlier this month, Baucus vowed to extend the TAA program which has worked in conjunction with community college programs helping laid off workers gain new skills and re-enter the job market.

The American Association of Community Colleges and Association of Community College Trustees represent more than 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges as well as 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern these institutions.