Barack Obama In Youngstown (Team Ryan Letter, 5/18/2010)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

"The United States does not play for 2nd place..."

- Barack Obama

Moments ago, President Barack Obama addressed the hard working laborers and community leaders at the local Youngstown V&M Star plant. He touched on many of the issues that Congressman Ryan has either supported or taken the lead on, including the significance of the stimulus funds for the Valley and the 17th District, reviving manufacturing in the District and the importance of alternative energy and health care reform.

"It's people like you - people in towns like Youngstown and places all over America - that I'm thinking about when I'm in the oval office."

That quote resonates loudly in our Valley. Thanks to stimulus funds, V&M Star is expanding their plant into the city of Girard for the manufacturing of natural gas pipelines. The expansion will create several hundred construction jobs and over 400 permanent jobs, spurring the local economy. The $650 million dollar investment by V&M Star is one of the largest private investments triggered by the stimulus funds in the entire country.

President Obama stressed the importance of finding new markets for exports and the urgency to implement fair trade laws - two significant issues Congressman Ryan has been spearheading with his legislation about Chinese currency manipulation. He also realizes the strategic position that the 17th District is in to create jobs in alternative energy manufacturing, including but not limited to production of natural gas pipelines (V&M Star expansion, Wheatland Tube) and producing component parts for windmills, turbines and solar panels with our steel production know-how and capabilities.

He also noted that Republicans will have a hard time this fall while on the campaign trail when they try to tell 32 million American's that their new health insurance is being taken away from them. Addressing the bad practices of the big health insurance companies and controlling the costs of premiums was the right thing to do for American families and businesses, and those at the heart of America in hard-working communities like Youngstown will feel the benefits the most. As President Obama said, the middle class forged in plants like V&M Star, and he will do everything while in office to make sure that may continue well into the future - so cities like Youngstown don't just survive, but thrive.

Read Congressman Ryan's updates on his official campaign website: