Tomorrow evening, Participant Media is co-sponsoring a Congressional event inspired by Pressure Cooker. We are heading to DC along with BET, Viacom and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) to help raise awareness and increase funds for career and technical education. The primary federal funding stream for career and technical education is the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Over the past few years, funds have been decreasing and it’s time to call upon Congress to fund the Perkins Act at no less than $1.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2010.

Students who are part of the CTE programs will be with us tomorrow to give demonstrations of the projects they are working on. Some culinary students will be cooking live for the Congressional staffers who are attending including Rep. John Adler (D-NJ-03), Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA-01), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO-06), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-02), Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA-05).

We can’t all be in DC tomorrow (I wish I were going!) but there is something we can all do to help: Call your representative and tell them to support an increase funds for CTE funding and to support the Perkins Act. You can also add your voice by signing the Perkins Act Petition.

Stay tuned for pics from the event!