WASHINGTON, DC – Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies President and CEO, Ralph B. Everett released the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union Address:

We applaud the firmness and resolve with which the President outlined his vision for an economic recovery that is based on American values such as fairness and rewarding hard work. His stated determination to strengthen the middle class through support for education and job creation will be welcomed by those who are striving against the odds to find economic security for their families.

As the economic recovery continues to take hold, the American people want to know that we are not going to fall back onto the policies that brought the economy down in the first place. This evening, the President did a good job outlining how he intends to lead our nation to a prosperity that will be more enduring and broadly shared because it is based on real work and value delivered. We think Americans will respond to that message, so long as their government sticks up for them, points the way to opportunity and ensures that everyone plays by the rules. The President’s vision is worthy of support.