IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 196 

Expressing support for designation of March 14, 2017, as ‘‘National Pi 

Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 13, 2017 

Mr. FOSTER (for himself, Mr. POCAN, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. TONKO, Ms. GABBARD, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. 

STEWART, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. QUIGLEY, Ms. DELBENE, 

Ms. CLARKE of New York, Ms. LEE, Mr. DESAULNIER, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. JACKSON LEE, and Mrs. TORRES) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Science, Space, and Technology 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of March 14, 2017, as 

‘‘National Pi Day’’. 

Whereas the Greek letter (Pi) is the symbol for the ratio of 

the circumference of a circle to its diameter; 

Whereas the ratio Pi is an irrational number, which will continue infinitely without repeating, and has been calculated to over thirteen trillion digits; 

Whereas Pi is a recurring constant that has been studied 

throughout history and is central in mathematics as well 

as science and engineering; 


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•HRES 196 IH 

Whereas mathematics and science are a critical part of our 

children’s education, and children who perform better in 

math and science have higher graduation and college attendance rates; 

Whereas aptitude in mathematics, science, and engineering is 

essential for a knowledge-based society; 

Whereas according to the 2011 Trends in International 

Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey done by 

the National Center for Education Statistics, American 

children in the 4th and 8th grades were outperformed by 

students in other countries including Singapore, South 

Korea, Taiwan, and Japan; 

Whereas since 1995, the United States has shown only minimal improvement in math and science test scores; 

Whereas by the 8th grade, United States males outperform 

females on the science portion of the TIMSS survey, especially in biology, physics, and earth science, and the 

lowest United States scores in math and science are 

found in minority and impoverished school districts; 

Whereas the United States needs to reinforce mathematics 

and science education for all students in order to better 

prepare children for the future and in order to compete 

in a 21st century economy; 

Whereas the National Science Foundation has been driving 

innovation in math and science education at all levels 

from elementary through graduate education since its 

creation 66 years ago; 

Whereas mathematics and science can be a fun and interesting part of a child’s education, and learning about Pi 

can be an engaging way to teach children about geometry 

and attract them to study science and mathematics; and 


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•HRES 196 IH 

Whereas Pi can be approximated as 3.14, and thus March 

14, 2017, is an appropriate day for ‘‘National Pi Day’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of a ‘‘Pi Day’’ and 

3 its celebration around the world; 

4 (2) recognizes the continuing importance of the 

5 National Science Foundation’s math and science 

6 education programs; and 

7 (3) encourages schools and educators to observe 

8 the day with appropriate activities that teach stu9 dents about Pi and engage them about the study of 

10 mathematics. 

Æ 


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