The Importance of American Manufacturing – Senator Sherrod Brown (OH)

By: Logan Beam
In this section, I will be interviewing American citizens about the importance of American Manufacturing. The truth is, we are all citizens before we are businessmen, celebrities, athletes, servicemen, or politicians. This segment is a place where all types of American citizens can come together to share ideas, insights, and offer ways to benefit our economy. Notice I said our economy.There are many ways Americans can come together and support a great cause. I hope this is one of them.
This week`s guest is Senator Sherrod Brown(OH).



Q. Please tell us a little about yourself.
A. I’m the senior U.S. Senator representing my home state of Ohio. I grew up in Mansfield but now live in Avon with my wife, Connie. We have three daughters, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.

Q. Why is American Manufacturing important to you?
A. Manufacturing is critical to our nation’s middle class and to creating good-paying jobs that help us out-compete and out-innovate the rest of the world. Unlike wealth created by the click of a computer mouse, wealth created by expanded production in manufacturing requires an expanded workforce. Manufacturing jobs pay 20 percent more on average than service jobs. And it is no secret that Ohio’s manufacturing jobs have strong multiplier effects -- supporting jobs in other sectors of our economy. Manufacturing also accounts for 70 percent of our research and development, more than 90 percent of patents issued, more than 90 percent of Ohio’s exports, and is critical to our national security and our energy security.

Q. Where did your passion for USA manufacturing begin?
A. Growing up in Mansfield, so many families were able to buy new cars, take family vacations, and send their children to college—all because of that paycheck they earned working in manufacturing. Our country’s middle class was built on the success of manufacturing and I’m working to ensure that the next generation of manufacturing jobs is able to support Ohio’s families.

Q. How have you expressed that passion throughout your life?
A. Throughout my time in office, I’ve been committed to putting American manufacturing -- and Ohio workers -- first. As a nation, we have been without a focused strategy on maintaining a strong manufacturing base and growing this sector. To address this deficiency, I have been calling for a National Manufacturing Strategy to propel the public and private sectors towards a renewed focus on manufacturing job growth. That’s why I worked with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) to introduce the National Manufacturing Strategy Act, legislation aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of the American manufacturing industry. By requiring the development of a national manufacturing strategy, the bill would boost traditional and high-tech manufacturing, spur American job growth, and strengthen the middle class.

I have also been working with my colleagues to pass the Bring Jobs Home Act, which ends tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and cuts taxes for businesses to bring jobs back to the United States. Companies bringing jobs home would still be able to claim the current moving expense deduction when bringing jobs home, and would also receive a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the cost associated with bringing jobs and business activity back to the United States.

Q. What is your favorite quote?
A. I often think about the words of a Mississippi civil rights leader who said, “Don’t tell me what you believe. Show me what you do and I’ll tell you what you believe.”

I am very humbled to have had Senator Brown on our segment this week. I would like to thank him for taking the time to share his thoughts on The Importance of American Manufacturing. I hope you all enjoyed this segment and that you too, will share The Importance of American Manufacturing with someone you know.

Have an All American Day!
Join us next week for another segment of "The Importance of American Manufacturing"

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in being interviewed on the Importance of American Manufacturing, please send inquiries to Logan Beam at logan@dekkerdevelopment.com