Walz Urges Obama to Focus on Jobs and Deficit Reduction in the State of the Union

Invites Chatfield business owner Mike Tuohy to speech to highlight innovative role of Minnesota entrepreneurs in economic growth and job creation

Washington, DC – Rep. Tim Walz announced today that Chatfield business owner Mike Tuohy will be his guest at the President’s State of the Union address on Wednesday night.  Walz urged President Obama to focus on job creation and deficit reduction to restore long-term economic prosperity for hard-working, middle class American families.

“Mike has built a successful Main Street business headquartered in a small rural town. He knows what it takes to create jobs, balance a budget and make smart investments that are fiscally responsible,” said Walz. “I wanted Mike to join me in Washington to offer his ideas from the heartland of our country about what it is going to take to create jobs on Main Street and a strong economy for middle class Americans well into the future.”

“In his speech, I urge the President to highlight the progress we have already made, but outline his vision for moving forward with our economic recovery. The President also needs to lay out specific proposals for making the American economy work for middle class families.  He needs to speak not to Congress or to Wall Street, but to the Mike Tuohys of this country.”

“I am confident that we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. That is what Americans and southern Minnesotans have always done.  We still have more work to do, but we need to look toward the future and use American innovation and ingenuity to meet the challenges ahead,” said Walz. “What I do know that we cannot and must not recycle the failed policies of the past decade that got us into this mess in the first place. You know the old saying. The definition of “insanity” is doing the same old thing over and over and expecting different results. That’s why we need a change. I am pleased that we have seen some recovery and jobs being created in southern Minnesota and tomorrow night, the President needs to build upon that progress in this next phase of the recovery. I am also looking to hear the President’s specific ideas about promoting fiscal responsible and tackling the deficit and debt.”

“President Obama needs to single out our economy as the most important issue that we face,” said Tuohy. “American small businesses will create jobs and help stabilize the economy when given the opportunity. We are a nation that can work together and as we always have in the past, build a better future to lead the world.”

Mike Tuohy is the Chairman of the Board and retired CEO of Tuohy Furniture.  Mr. Tuohy has also served on the 9th Circuit Federal Reserve Advisory Council, Chatfield School Board, F & M Community Bank Board, Ronald McDonald House, as President of the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing Assn, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Eagle Bluff,  and the Chatfield Community Foundation

Congressman Walz and Mr. Tuohy will be available via satellite before the address and immediately following the speech via conference call to share their reaction to the address. Details TBA. For interview requests prior to January 27, please use the press contact information listed above.

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