Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Milwaukee Designation as Workforce Hub

Today, President Biden announced that Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be named an Investing in America Workforce Hub focused on helping more workers access apprenticeships and training to enter careers to remove and replace lead pipes, an effort that is being accelerated thanks to federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law.

“I am beyond thrilled that President Biden has designated Milwaukee as a Workforce Hub. I was proud to support this much-needed legislation that provided dedicated funding for lead pipe removal because I understand not only the need to remove these pipes, which are a direct threat to the health and well-being of our youth, but how it also can support good paying jobs for those in impacted neighborhoods where these pipes are too often concentrated.

Without the support of the bipartisan infrastructure law, it would have taken 70 years to remove every lead pipe in Milwaukee. That means additional generations would be poisoned by this dangerous neurotoxin, and we don’t have that kind of time. I want every child to have access to clean drinking water and I want every parent to have the peace of mind to know that the water flowing from their sinks is free of this toxin. For years, I have advocated for more federal resources to address this crisis, including through appropriations, earmarks, and legislation like the bipartisan infrastructure law.

And as a part of that effort to remove lead pipes, it is vital that more workers in our community are connected to training and registered apprenticeships they need, so they can directly reap the economic benefits of these federal investments. That has remained my priority.

I applaud the Biden administration’s commitment to tackling this public health crisis and expanding access to the good-paying jobs while ensuring these opportunities are accessible to those who are traditionally underrepresented in this workforce. Today’s announcement only builds on that pledge. I look forward to working with the Administration to see this announcement fully funded and implemented as quickly as possible so we can help create good paying jobs here in Milwaukee while providing the workforce that is needed to accelerate lead pipe removal in our community.

I will remain a committed federal partner and will continue working with state and local leaders to bring our community the resources it needs.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.