Gluesenkamp Perez Tours High Lava Incident Command Center, Speaks at High School Trades Education Center Ribbon Cutting

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON — This week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was home in Southwest Washington making official visits. During this period, she joined first responders at a command station to learn about wildland firefighting efforts and spoke at the ribbon cutting for a new trades education center. 

As wildfires continue to plague the northwest, the Congresswoman stopped in at the High Lava Fire Incident Command Center. The High Lava Fire has rapidly become the largest in Southwest Washington, estimated to be about 1300 acres during the Congresswoman’s visit. Experts at the command center briefed her on their work to contain a wildfire, and the resources they need to get their jobs done. To hear a recap on the visit directly from the Congresswoman click HERE.

The Congresswoman has consistently worked to support wildland firefighters and wildfire prevention, including introducing the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act, which was enacted into law last year, to expand the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority to better manage wildlands and reduce wildfire risks. The Congresswoman also recently wrote to the Forest Service to press the agency to maintain and improve wildfire preparedness and prevention activities through their restructuring. 

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez speaks with workers about their efforts at the High Lava Fire Command Center.

The next day, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visited Vancouver to attend the ribbon cutting of a new trades education center at Fort Vancouver High School. At the ribbon cutting she spoke about her long running support for trades education and the value of getting students into durable technical careers. You can watch her remarks here. 

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez receiving a tour of the new welding education center from a Fort Vancouver High School student 

“It’s incredible to see this continuance of what really merits pride. Where people are known by the things that they make and the skill and attention they bring to it. That is what makes our country so strong, and that is what we’re seeing here today.’” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “I’m proud to see that diligence in supporting our shop teachers, supporting shop programs, making sure kids have a place in their school where they can be the best every day. I cannot say it enough, this is exactly what our country needs and I’m so grateful to everyone who has put time and muscle into doing this.”

Rep Gluesenkamp Perez co-owns an auto repair and machine shop, and has been passionate throughout her career about getting students involved in trades education. She has fought for AP credits for shop class and introduced legislation to allow the use of 529 funds for students who pursue trades based career paths. 

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