This morning Sen. Warner met with about 35 Virginians from Danville, Martinsville, and Pittsylvania Counties on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.  These young men and women are participants in the Project Discovery college-access preparatory program, which helps potential first generation college attendees plan for their future while they’re still in high school.

Sen. Warner, himself the first member of his family to earn a college degree, agreed that federal investment in education is vital.

Sen. Warner also answered questions from the students and their coordinators about the economic situation in Southside Virginia, which he told them remains a major concern of his.

“These kids shouldn’t have to leave Danville or Pittsylvania or Martinsville to get a good job,” he told them. “But at the same time we have to recognize that some of these old jobs aren’t coming back.  We have to focus on education and on investment in things like broadband that will help create jobs in the region.  That’s why it’s important that we get this budget thing right – so that we can afford going forward to invest in places like Southside where there are opportunities for growth.”