GroundBreaker: U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
People make the construction industry what it is today. GroundBreak Carolinas is excited to share the story of yet another member of the inaugural class of GroundBreakers – individuals who are shaping our industry in a variety of ways.
A longtime supporter of workforce development initiatives, North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx is having an impact on the construction industry. As Senior Republican of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, she is instrumental in forming and passing critical legislation and reforms. Congresswoman Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th District.
In 2014, President Obama signed into law H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), legislation authored by Congresswoman Foxx providing for a long overdue reform of the Workforce Investment Act. Last Congress, the committee approved H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which went on to be unanimously passed by the House of Representatives on June 22, 2017. Just over a year later on July 31, 2018, President Trump signed this landmark legislation into law. The law makes crucial updates to our national workforce development by empowering state and local community leaders and improving alignment with in-demand jobs.
Congresswomen Foxx is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her A.B. degree in English and M.A.C.T. in Sociology. She earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching/Higher Education from UNC-Greensboro. When she is in her home district, she has taken time out to visit local construction projects.
About GroundBreaker Awards – This annual GroundBreak Carolinas awards program was created in Fall 2018 to recognize people who are making a significant impact on the construction community in the Carolinas. Our panel of judges reviewed a pool of nominations for men and women representing the entire spectrum of our industry – architecture, engineering, construction, academia, government, economic development, real estate and more.
