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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Joe Courtney. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
Issued
April 30, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Bret Jacobson, who selflessly served our country and retires today from his position as Director of the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center at CT State Community College Three Rivers. The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center has innovated various streamlined paths for individuals to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing and possesses a key role in workforce development in Eastern Connecticut.
Mr. Jacobson has been a steadfast champion of the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI), a nationally recognized manufacturing- focused workforce training program managed by the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center. Mr. Jacobson utilized a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to Three Rivers in 2016 to create and develop MPI. Now, a decade later, MPI comprises 150 instructors who have taught over 250 classes and prepared more than 2,500 students. Thanks to Mr. Jacobson's leadership and dedication to the program, MPI stands as a national model for workforce development programs.
Before joining CT State, Mr. Jacobson led a 30-year career serving in the Coast Guard as a mechanic-by-trade at duty stations in Hawaii, Michigan, and Key West. His final five years of service were spent at the Coast Guard Academy, serving as a Lead Laboratory Technician where he supported Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture students in operating equipment needed for their capstone projects.
Mr. Jacobson is a resident of Waterford, Connecticut, and a native of northern Minnesota.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member serving the 2nd District of Connecticut, I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jacobson to build the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative in Eastern Connecticut. The program's award-winning success has been recognized both locally and nationally at a time when the demand for skilled metal trades workers is at an historic high level. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people, I express deep gratitude for Mr. Jacobson's contributions during his service with Three Rivers. I join Mr. Jacobson's family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him all the best in retirement.