Vice President Biden: State of the Union is Getting Stronger

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Brief. Discussion »

Vice President Joe Biden

Native Brief: GRAND RAPIDS - Vice President Joe Biden made a 40 minute speech today at the American Seating plant telling the audience of 300 that "the state of the union is getting stronger, and we've gone too far to turn back."

He toured the plant that produces more than 75 percent of the bus and rail seats used in the public transit systems across North America.

American Seating benefited from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the stimulus package, because government entities across the United States upgraded their transit systems with new buses and rail cars.

"American Seating did not receive a subsidy. They benefited from good public policy that is connected. The policy puts people on buses. This, in the turn, helps the environment. American Seating has some of the best production workers in the world,"

stated Vice President Biden to applause.

The Vice President spoke about how the Obama administration inherited the worst economy since the Great Depression.

"We are universally respected again,"

declared the Vice President.

"America has the strongest economy in the world today,"

he continued.

He spoke of the importance of a good education for all Americans.

"In the next decade, 62 percent of the job openings in this country will require a degree,"

said the Vice President.

"They will require a skilled labor force. That is why we have links with community colleges, where students can gain technical training. Community colleges are the best kept secret in America."

The Vice President praised American Seating for its commitment to buy "American made" products. One hundred percent of American Seating products are manufactured in the United States.

"Because of you workers on this floor, America is coming back. You're bringing us back,"

said Vice President Biden as he concluded his speech.

American Seating produces seating for schools, colleges, offices, courtrooms, convention centers, ballparks, stadiums, churches, and theaters.

posted February 1, 2012 2:40 pm est