Senate Resolution No. 1908

BY: Senator COONEY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 2-6, 2026, as SkillsUSA Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations which work diligently to prepare the next
generation of skilled professionals and leaders essential to the
vitality of our State and nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-6, 2026, as
SkillsUSA Week in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, February 2-6, 2026, has been designated by the national
association SkillsUSA as SkillsUSA Week; and

WHEREAS, The theme for 2026, "SkillsUSA: Champion Your Future,"
emphasizes the importance of empowering students to take ownership of
their education, career goals, and lifelong success; and

WHEREAS, Career and technical education provides students with a
direct pathway from school to careers, forming the backbone of a strong
and educated workforce that drives innovation and economic growth; and

WHEREAS, By championing their future through SkillsUSA, students
develop essential personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in
academics, ensuring they are prepared for the demands of a rapidly
changing global economy; and

WHEREAS, The United States faces a projected talent shortage and
skills gap that could result in a loss of trillions of dollars by 2030,
making programs like SkillsUSA critical to sustaining economic vitality;
and

WHEREAS, SkillsUSA empowers students to become champions of their
own success by fostering leadership, responsibility, and resilience,
qualities which are essential for thriving in both careers and
communities; and

WHEREAS, Employers consistently report challenges in finding skilled
candidates; however, career and technical education and SkillsUSA
provide students with real-world experiences and industry-recognized
credentials that close the skills gap and open doors to meaningful
employment; and

WHEREAS, The cooperative efforts of educators, business leaders, and
industry partners through SkillsUSA strengthen New York State's economy
by preparing graduates for high-demand careers in fields forecasted for
significant growth; and

WHEREAS, SkillsUSA serves more than 475,000 students nationwide,
including thousands across New York State, equipping them to be

high-performance workers and responsible citizens who will champion the
future of our workforce; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to recognize the contributions of
SkillsUSA and its members who exemplify the theme "Champion Your Future"
by striving for excellence in education, leadership, and service; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-6, 2026, as
SkillsUSA Week in the State of New York, and to encourage all citizens
to support the mission of SkillsUSA and the students who are preparing
to become the champions of our future workforce; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.