No one has been hit harder than Michigan citizens by the unprecedented loss of manufacturing jobs due to globalization and the Bush administration's unfair trade policies. At the same time, no state stands to benefit more from fair enforcement of our nation's trade agreements, from the growth of new industries like alternative energy, and from critical investments in training workers and improving health care. These issues will shape Michigan's future, but Michigan needs a strong federal partner in order to move forward. Senator Hillary Clinton has made clear with her proposals and track record on all of these issues that she will be that partner, and that is why we are endorsing Senator Clinton for president in the 2008 election.

Senator Clinton understands that in this global economy, American workers should not be forced into a race to the bottom with low-wage, no-benefit workers in Mexico and Asia. She will enforce trade agreements and hold our trade partners to fair labor and environmental standards. As co-chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, she has fought to expand the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which offers support to small manufacturers and which is a key element of Senator Levin's American Manufacturing Initiative.

At the same time, Senator Clinton has proposed aggressive initiatives to help Michigan workers who are suffering as jobs are shipped overseas. She supports doubling Trade Adjustment Assistance, which is one of the most important tools we use to help Michigan workers get trained and placed in new, good-paying jobs. And as president, she will push for important on-the-job training support and tax credits to make education more affordable and accessible.

Michigan business leaders know that perhaps the greatest competitive challenge our manufacturers face is health care costs. Senator Clinton's plan for universal health coverage will change that. It will ensure Michigan citizens have affordable coverage and plenty of choices, and it will help Michigan businesses of all sizes be competitive. Her commitment to improving our nation's health care system is nothing new in fact, she helped shape the children's health care legislation that currently covers 55,000 Michigan children and may soon cover tens of thousands more.

Trade, worker training and health care are the most critical issues for Michigan, but we know that creating jobs requires diversifying our Michigan economy. Senator Clinton's proposed Strategic Energy Fund would use a small portion of windfall profits of major oil companies to kick the United States' alternative energy development into overdrive. With Michigan's concentration of research and design talent and infrastructure, we are in great position to lead the country in developing alternative energy technologies, and Michigan citizens would benefit immensely from the Senator's proposed investments.

Other issues that are important to Michigan citizens would receive the attention they deserve in a Clinton White House. The senator has pledged to protect the Great Lakes from diversions. She will protect families from predatory lenders and help hard-working Michigan citizens avoid foreclosures. And, she is committed to ending the war in Iraq and restoring America's standing in the world.

In addition to the work we will continue to do at the state level, Michigan needs a champion at the highest levels in Washington a champion for our people, our businesses and for Michigan's middle class. From fair trade and worker training, to health care for all, to alternative energy, Senator Clinton has made clear that she will be that champion. That is why we will work to elect Senator Clinton as president of the United States.