59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–5 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 

ENGINEERS WEEK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

JANUARY 29, 2007.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee, from the Committee on Science and 

Technology, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 59] 

The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 59) supporting the goals and ideals 

of National Engineers Week, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and 

recommend that the resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 59 expresses the House of Representatives’ support of the 

goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

National Engineers Week, designated as February 18–24, 2007, 

plays a significant role in raising public awareness of the important 

and positive contributions made by engineers to our quality of life. 

From helping the U.S. win the American Revolution to advancing 

computer and internet technologies today, engineers have played a 

critical role throughout our history. This resolution expresses the 

House of Representatives’ support for the Week and its purpose of 

increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and to promote literacy in math and science. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

The official title of the resolution as introduced is: ‘Supporting 

the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and for other 

purposes.’ 

H. Res. 59 notes the many ways that engineers use their professional, scientific, and technical knowledge and skills in creative and 


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innovative ways to fulfill society’s needs, and states that the House 

of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week 

and its aims to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and to promote literacy in 

math and science; and 

(2) will work with the engineering community to make sure 

that the creativity and contribution of that community can be 

expressed through research, development, standardization, and 

innovation. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

Congressman Lipinski introduced this resolution on January 12, 

2007 for himself, Mr. Akin, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Costello, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Franks, Ms. Gillibrand, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Holt, Mr. Honda, Mr. Inglis, Ms. JacksonLee, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Kuhl, Mr. Manzullo, Ms. Matsui, Mr. 

McCotter, Mr. McGovern, Ms. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Neal, Mr. 

Petri, and Mr. Pickering. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology. On January 24, 2007 the resolution was considered at a Science and Technology Committee markup session and was ordered favorably reported by voice vote. 

ROLLCALL VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of 

votes cast for and against on each rollcall vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and 

the names of those members voting for and against. There were no 

rollcall votes on this resolution. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 59 is a sense 

of the House resolution and therefore does not have the force of 

law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation for 

fiscal year 2007, nor for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes fundVerDate Aug 31 2005 06:00 Jan 31, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR005.XXX HR005

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ing, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any 

measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no cost 

estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding 

is required. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint resolution 

of a public character shall include a statement citing the specific 

powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the 

measure. The Committee on Science and Technology finds that 

Congress has the authority to enact this measure pursuant to its 

powers granted under article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Resolution contains no federal mandates. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 59 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. (Public Law 104–1.) 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 59 makes no changes in existing law. 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP

Chairman GORDON. Next, we will take up H. Res. 59, supporting 

the goals and ideals of National Engineering Week. 

I now recognize Mr. Lipinski for 5 minutes to speak on the bill. 

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I will start by congratulating you for your well-deserved rise to 

Chairman of this Committee. And I would like to congratulate 

Ranking Member Hall for moving into his position as ranking 

member. I know you are going to do a lot of great things in this 

Congress. 

I am pleased to be here today for the markup today of H. Res. 

59, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. I 


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would like to thank Mr. Inglis from South Carolina for joining me 

in introducing this legislation. 

Engineers have helped make our country great: from their service in the American Revolution to developing key modern industries, such as aerospace and energy. This resolution honors and 

recognizes the more than 2 million engineers in the United States 

and the contributions that they have made to our country. 

Engineers combine imagination and creativity with math, 

science, and technological training to solve human problems. Engineers, in the past, helped us build boats to travel across the seas, 

railroads to explore the west, and the Internet to communicate 

with the world. 

We need the innovative capabilities of engineers to confront the 

new challenges before us today. Engineers will help America develop energy independence, find solutions to confront global climate 

change, and make our Nation more secure. 

Now I have a unique perspective as one of only a handful of engineers in Congress. We probably have more lawyers on this Committee than we have engineers in Congress. I know the last Congress, I was one of nine House members with engineering degrees. 

I am not sure how that has changed this year, but I do know that 

we have added at least one engineer to the House and to this Committee, Jerry McNerney from California. And we are very fortunate 

that he brings his engineering expertise to our Committee. Certainly his engineering expertise far outshines mine, so I want to 

welcome Mr. McNerney to this Committee. 

Unfortunately, for America, this country is falling behind others 

in engineering. U.S. students continue to score below international 

averages on math and science tests, we are failing to graduate 

enough engineers, especially compared to countries such as China 

and India. There is some debate over the exact numbers of engineers in these countries, but there is no question we are behind 

other countries in graduating engineers. 

The National Academy of Sciences’ report, ‘‘Rising Above the 

Gathering Storm’’, emphasizes this worrisome development and the 

need for the Federal Government to take action to address the potential for a shortage of good engineers. 

We must do everything we can to encourage and inspire future 

engineers, and National Engineers Week is one step to accomplish 

this goal. National Engineers Week has inspired future engineers 

for more than 50 years. It aims to raise public awareness about engineers’ contributions to society and our quality of life. 

Honored by the National Society of Professional Engineers, including more than 100 society, government, and business sponsors 

and affiliates, including Boeing, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, National 

Engineers Week draws upon local and regional experts to promote 

high levels of math, science, and technology literacy. Annually, it 

reaches thousands of parents, teachers, and students in communities across the country. From national and regional engineering 

competitions, such as Future of the City Competition, to events 

such as Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, National Engineers 

Week helps inspire the next generation of American engineers and 

scientists. 


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I would like to thank all of the engineers who have contributed 

so much to America and to honor them for their commitment to 

continue working to better our society. We certainly need more engineers in America for our economic security, our national security, 

and certainly, one of the biggest challenges, global climate change. 

I encourage all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 59. 

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. I am pleased to recognize Mr. Inglis for 5 

minutes to present his opening remarks. 

Mr. INGLIS. I start by congratulating Mr. Lipinski on the ViceChair role here on this Committee and by celebrating this bill that 

I am happy to be on with him. 

In 1951, the National Society of Professional Engineers established National Engineers Week. The purpose of the week is to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology 

careers and to promote K–12 literacy in math and science. It also 

showcases the contributions that engineers have made to society. 

It is celebrated, typically, during the week of George Washington’s 

actual birthday, which is February 22, as he steered our Nation toward technical advancements, invention, and education. 

Among many other credits, George Washington had an order 

made at Valley Forge for more engineers and engineering education, which led to the creation of the U.S. Army Engineers 

School. This bill is designed to respond to what Tom Friedman calls 

‘‘The Silent Crisis’’ of a lack of engineering and science technology 

math education in our country, and I am happy to join Mr. Lipinski 

in urging the Committee to pass the bill. 

Chairman GORDON. Without objection, all members’ opening 

statements will be placed in the record at this point. 

Mr. McNerney from California is recognized. 

Mr. MCNERNEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I salute you and the ranking member for your dedication to bipartisanship and for working together towards solving the problems that we are facing. 

My father started out in labor but moved into engineering, and 

my mother often told me that it would be the engineers that would 

help us solve the problems that are facing us, such as global warming. 

While I have had the pleasure of following my father into an engineering career, I can tell you that some of the most rewarding 

moments of my life were in pursuit of engineering goals. I have 

also noted, throughout my career, that engineers are among the 

most ethical and hard working people that I have had the pleasure 

of working with in any pursuit. 

I think this is a very important bill, because it will help encourage our young people into this field of engineering. I agree wholeheartedly with my mother that it will be the engineers that will 

help us solve these problems of transportation, global warming, 

and many of the other problems that face us in our Nation. I urge 

everyone to support this bill. 

Thank you. 

Chairman GORDON. Any other comments? I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read and open to amendment at 

any point. Without objection, so ordered. 


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[H. Res. 59 follows:] 

H. RES. 59 

Whereas engineers use their professional, scientific, and technical knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways to fulfill 

society’s needs; 

Whereas engineers have helped meet the major technological 

challenges of our time—from rebuilding towns devastated by natural disasters to designing an information superhighway that will 

speed our country into the future; 

Whereas engineers are a crucial link in research, development, 

and demonstration and in transforming scientific discoveries into 

useful products, and we will look more than ever to engineers and 

their knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the future; 

Whereas engineers play a crucial role in developing the consensus engineering standards that permit modern economies and 

societies to exist; 

Whereas the 2006 National Academy of Sciences report entitled 

‘‘Rising Above the Gathering Storm’’ highlighted the worrisome 

trend that fewer students are now focusing on engineering in college at a time when increasing numbers of today’s 2,000,000 

United States engineers are nearing retirement; 

Whereas the National Society of Professional Engineers through 

National Engineers Week and other activities is raising public 

awareness of engineers’ significant, positive contributions to societal needs; 

Whereas National Engineers Week activities at engineering 

schools and in other forums are encouraging our young math and 

science students to see themselves as possible future engineers and 

to realize the practical power of their knowledge; 

Whereas National Engineers Week has grown into a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, 

and more than 50 major corporations and government agencies; 

Whereas National Engineers Week is celebrated during the week 

of George Washington’s birthday to honor the contributions that 

our first President, a military engineer and land surveyor, made to 

engineering; and 

Whereas February 18 to 24, 2007, has been designated by the 

President as National Engineers Week: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week 

and its aims to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and to promote literacy in 

math and science; and 

(2) will work with the engineering community to make sure 

that the creativity and contribution of that community can be 

expressed through research, development, standardization, and 

innovation. 

Chairman GORDON. Are there any amendments? Hearing none, 

the vote is on the bill. All of those in favor, signify by saying aye. 

Opposed, nay. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably 

report H. Res. 59 to the House with the recommendation that the 

bill do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be instructed to 


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prepare the legislative report and make necessary technical and 

conforming changes, and that the Chairman take all necessary 

steps to bring the bill before the House for consideration. 

Chairman GORDON. The question is on the motion to report the 

bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 

aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The resolution is 

favorably reported. 

Without objection, the motion is considered as laid on the table. 

I move that members have 2 subsequent calendar days in which to 

submit supplemental minority or additional views on the measure. 

I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives that the Committee authorize the Chairman to 

offer such motions as may be necessary in the House to adopt and 

pass H. Res. 59. Without objection, so ordered. 

Æ 


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