[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 5, 2011

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the American 
Society for Training and Development, ASTD, as the largest association 
dedicated to the training and development profession, recognizing them 
for their annual Employee Learning Week, held December 5 through the 9, 
2011.
  Members of ASTD come from more than 100 countries and connect locally 
in 125 U.S. chapters with 20 international partners. They work in 
thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent 
consultants, and as suppliers.
  Established in 1943, ASTD is a leader in the training and development 
field. As businesses seek competitive advantages and growth, learning 
and development professionals make sure an organization's best asset, 
its employees, have the skills they need to help achieve business 
growth. ASTD serves this important community of professionals with 
research and resources.
  To further these goals, ASTD has declared December 5 though December 
9, 2011, as ``Employee Learning Week'' and designated time for 
organizations to recognize the strategic value of employee learning. I 
applaud ASTD and its members for their dedication to developing 
knowledgeable and skilled employees during Employee Learning Week.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting policies that commit to 
maintaining a highly skilled workforce.

                          ____________________