Rep. Langevin seeks 6th term in Congress
posted June 3, 2010 in Quonset News

U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin formally announced Wednesday that he is running for a sixth term, saying that his priority would be to bolster Rhode Island’s economy by growing the state’s defense, construction, “green” and biotech industries.

Langevin, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, made the announcement at the Trades Training Center of Rhode Island, a job-training site at the Quonset Business Park. He plans a series of campaign stops this week throughout the state.

“Job creation and getting the economy back on track is job one,” Langevin said, as drivers training for commercial licenses practiced maneuvering tractor-trailers in the background.

Langevin said the training site is an example of how the state is making progress in improving its work force, creating more jobs and developing new industries.He pointed to a $3.8-million stimulus-funded bridge project in the business park that will create temporary construction jobs and help make Quonset one of the premier industrial parks in New England.

He mentioned General Dynamics — the submarine builder that has committed to bringing 1,300 new jobs to Quonset by 2014 –– as an example of how the state is growing its defense industry.

Langevin said the Route 195 relocation project in Providence and the construction of a commuter rail stop at T.F. Green Airport show that the state is staying competitive by improving its transportation infrastructure. And he talked about the potential for Rhode Island to become a national leader in green industry by building a wind-energy farm off Block Island.

“Quonset, like Rhode Island, is on the move,” he said.Langevin defended his support of increased government spending in the face of a rising federal deficit.“We’re doing something important for our war fighters, something important for our national security,” he said, pointing to the increased federal spending for submarine construction. “We’re spending money, yes, but we’re also receiving a lot more that will have ripple effects throughout the state and the nation.”

On the nation’s two wars, Langevin said he supports President Obama’s plan to withdraw troops in Iraq and deploy some of them to Afghanistan...

Click here to read the full Providence Journal article.