U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800

Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001

86–013 2013

MARKUP OF A COMMITTEE RESOLUTION 

REGARDING THE HOUSE ACADEMIC COMPETITION 

MEETING 

BEFORE THE 

COMMITTEE ON HOUSE 

ADMINISTRATION 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

Held in Washington, DC, November 20, 2013 

Printed for the use of the Committee on House Administration 

( 

Available on the Internet 

www.fdsys.gov 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS

(II) 

COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 

CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan, Chairman 

GREGG HARPER, Mississippi 

PHIL GINGREY, M.D., Georgia 

AARON SCHOCK, Illinois 

TODD ROKITA, Indiana 

RICHARD B. NUGENT, Florida 

ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania, Ranking 

Minority Member 

ZOE LOFGREN, California 

JUAN VARGAS, California 

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

KELLY CRAVEN, Staff Director 

KYLE ANDERSON, Minority Staff Director 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS

(1) 

MARKUP OF A COMMITTEE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE HOUSE ACADEMIC COMPETITION 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION, 

Washington, D.C. 

The committee met, pursuant to call, at 11:34 a.m., in Room 

1309, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Candice S. Miller 

[chairman of the committee] presiding. 

Present: Representatives Miller, Harper, Gingrey, Schock, 

Rokita, Brady, and Vargas. 

Staff Present: Kelly Craven, Staff Director; Peter Schalestock, 

Deputy General Counsel; Yael Barash, Legislative Clerk; Salley 

Wood, Communications Director and Deputy Staff Director; Bob 

Sensenbrenner, Senior Counsel; John Clocker, Director of Policy 

and Planning; Kyle Anderson, Minority Staff Director; Matt 

Pinkus, Minority Senior Policy Advisor; Matt DeFreitas, Minority 

Professional Staff; Khalil Abboud, Minority Deputy Counsel; Thomas Hicks, Minority Senior Counsel; Mike Harrison, Minority Chief 

Counsel; Greg Abbott, Minority Professional Staff; and Eddie 

Flaherty, Minority Chief Clerk. 

The CHAIRMAN. I would like to call to order the Committee on 

House Administration for today’s committee hearing. A quorum is 

present so that we can proceed. 

The meeting record will remain open for 5 legislative days so 

that Members might submit any materials that they wish to be included in the record. 

The CHAIRMAN. And today we are just going to consider one item 

in the markup before we go into our hearing, a committee resolution regarding the House Academic Competition. 

Now, earlier this year, with the support of House leadership, we 

introduced a House resolution, the Academic Competition Resolution of 2013, to establish a competition that promotes greater innovation among students across this country in fields related to 

science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as STEM. 

The resolution, cosponsored by nearly every member of this committee, passed the House with an overwhelming 411 votes—a very 

clear, overdue acknowledgment that in our Nation we need to increase STEM awareness. 

As leaders, educators, and parents, it is our responsibility to help 

equip today’s youth with the skills that they need to succeed. 

STEM research and innovation is the major skill set driving today’s 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS

2 

global economy, and, unfortunately, we are at risk of falling behind 

other countries and losing jobs to our overseas competitors. To remain competitive, we must increase awareness among our students 

and encourage greater participation in the STEM fields. 

With that goal in mind, in February the House adopted a resolution creating a competition that will allow each Member, each 

Member of Congress, to host an annual competition among students in his or her congressional district. And today, as required 

by that resolution, we are considering for adoption the regulations 

that will govern the competition, including rules pertaining to contestants, judges, and the use of resources. 

Under the proposed regulations, House Administration will appoint Members to serve as chairs and co-chairs for the purpose of 

setting specific rules and criteria for each annual competition. 

Those proposed regulations also permit for the competition’s evolution over time so that it continues to challenge students in the 

specialized STEM areas relevant to ever-changing technology demands. 

It is our expectation that the House will plan its inaugural competition to coincide with this school year so that schools and educators can encourage and assist with their students’ participation. 

Again, it is our responsibility to help to make sure that our students in this country can compete in the STEM fields. Their future 

and this Nation’s economic success depend on it, which is why I am 

very honored to join my colleagues in advancing this important 

House initiative. 

And I now would like to recognize the ranking member, our colleague, Mr. Brady from Pennsylvania, for the purpose of his opening statement. 

Mr. BRADY. Thank you, Madam Chair. I have no opening statement, but I do appreciate you having this meeting and getting this 

off on the right start. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Any other Members have an opening statement 

on this particular issue? 

The chair recognizes Mr. Gingrey of Georgia. 

Mr. GINGREY. Thank you, Madam Chairman. I want to thank 

you for calling the markup today on the regulations for the recently 

established House STEM competition. 

H. Res. 77 passed with overwhelming support in February of this 

year, establishing an academic competition in the fields of science, 

technology, engineering, and math, STEM, for students in our congressional districts. And I was proud to join every member of this 

committee in supporting the resolution. I am proud to rejoin them 

today to adopt the regulations governing that competition. 

In its inaugural year, the competition will allow participating 

students to develop an app using a technology platform of their 

choice, really—a tablet, computer, mobile device. This competition 

creates a valuable chance to engage these students and educators— 

I am sure they would have a mentor at their local school—and 

highlight the importance once again that we talk about so much up 

here, I don’t think we can talk about it too much, of STEM education, by providing an incentive for students in a fun and innovative way. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS

3 

After practicing medicine for nearly 30 years, I am fully aware 

of just how valuable a strong foundation in math and science can 

be for the future engineers, computer scientists, and doctors of our 

Nation. As educators and legislators, we must not neglect our duties to equip these young people, our children, these students, with 

the tools and the knowledge to build a successful career. 

All of the time, we are reading articles about people getting out 

of great schools with a graduate degree, and there was somebody 

on one of the cable news shows the other day selling donuts on the 

streets of New York, saying, ‘‘Hire me. I’ve got’’—maybe some of 

you all saw that clip. But, you know, it is really important that our 

students know that the job market of the future, and I think for 

a long time, is in the science, space, and technology and engineering and developing apps and software. 

So I see this competition as a valuable opportunity to get involved and generate that interest at an early age in STEM education. Because you have to do it at an early age. I look forward 

to the successful implementation of the competition, and I hope it 

will encourage students to express that creativity and interest in 

STEM for years to come. 

So, Madam Chairman, thank you. I think this is a really good 

idea, kind of like the arts competition program that we have. 

Thank you, and I yield back. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Any other Member have a comment? 

I appreciate, Dr. Gingrey, your comments about the STEM. I do 

think it is—first, it is sort of modeled after the Artistic Discovery, 

from that perspective, which has been an incredible success. There 

are over 300 Members of Congress now participating in that. 

And particularly now, when we look at STEM in that—you know, 

I think the first thing is they are going to be challenging the kids 

to do an app. I didn’t even know what an app was until a couple 

years ago. Now I have an app for that, right? 

And these kids are so unbelievably innovative that who knows 

what they are going to come up with. So those kinds of things, 

these kinds of things, I think, can really lead to mentoring for them 

from the industry and other kinds of things and really help bring 

our kids along in all of these applications—the apps. 

But, at any rate, I now call up and lay before the committee 

Committee Resolution 113–6, to adopt regulations concerning the 

House Academic Competition. 

[The information follows:] 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS

4 


mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGSInsert offset folio 14 here 86013A.001

COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 

113TH CONGRESS 

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION 113-6 

Resolution to Approve Regulations for the Academic Competition 

Whereas, pursuant to House Resolution 77, the Academic Competition Resolution of2013, the 

House of Representatives directed the Committee on House Administration to adopt regulations 

governing the Academic Competition, 

Whereas, as technology changes, the competition will evolve over time and will challenge 

students in specialized areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The competition will 

initially challenge students to develop so-called "apps" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices, 

Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Committee adopts the following regulations: 

Regulations for the Academic Competition 

Title 1. Regarding the App. 

Platform 

Students in the competition may choose a generally available technology platform, such as a 

mobile, tablet, or computer device, on which to develop their submissions. 

Conduct of Contest 

The Committee on House Administration shall appoint a Member or group of Members to serve 

as chairs or co-chairs of the Academic Competition. The Committee on House Administration 

may also appoint an outside group of experts in the STEM fields to assist the chair or co-chairs 

in setting guidelines and rules for the Academic Competition. All such guidelines and rules must 

be approved by the Committee on House Administration. 

The rules shall include provisions on name of the contest; the periods of the contest; tbe 

appointment of judges; and any other provision necessary for the conduct of the competition. 

Disclaimer on Endorsement 

The House of Representatives does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, 

process, or services. For the period of the academic competition and the display of the 
5 


mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGSInsert offset folio 15 here 86013A.002

submissions by the House, a contestant may not seek to market or manufacture the submitted app 

for commercial use. A contestant may not make any reference to the academic competition nor 

imply an endorsement from the House for the purpose of marketing or manufacturing the 

submitted app. 

Use of app for Contest 

By submitting an app for the academic competition, a contestant expressly agrees that for the 

period of the contest, submitted apps are available free of charge for the conduct of the 

competition. The apps will be judged by the Members or their designee(s) and displayed by the 

House during that period. The contestant retains ownership rights of the submitted app. 

Characteristics of Apps 

Submitted apps may not be indecent, immoral, defamatory, vulgar, pornographic, in obvious bad 

taste, or demonstrate a lack of respect for public morals. Submitted apps may not be illegal under 

applicable federal and state laws. 

Title 2. District Contest 

Resources 

The Member office may operate the district competition using only the MRA or personal funds. 

In accordance with House Rules, the Member office may not accept any outside support or 

funding in conducting the competition and awards program except as specifically provided 

below. 

Contestants 

Contestants in the district competition must be eligible to enroll as students in a school located 

within the boundaries of the district from which the Member is elected. Contestants in the 

competition must be legal residents. 

Judges 

A Member office may seek advice from outside experts in the fields of science, technology, 

engineering, and mathematics for the purposes of establishing criteria for the selection of 

competition judges and for the judging of competition submissions. The Member will establish 

the judging process. 

Outside Sponsors of the Competition 

Member offices may not list an outside party as a co-sponsor or supporter. The office may not in 

any way endorse or promote a third party with official resources. 

Franking 
6 


mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGSInsert offset folio 16 here 86013A.003

A Member office may use the frank to mail official information about the Academic 

competition, including but not limited to, the notification to students, recruitment of judges, 

rulcs, deadlines and notices of official events regarding the competition. A Member office must 

obtain an Advisory Opinion in order to mail 500 or more unsolicited pieces of mail or e-mail. 

MRA 

The Academic Competition is an official activity of the House. A Member office may use the 

MRA to hold an event to display and judge the submissions to the district competition. A 

Member office may also allow staff time and use of official resources to plan and conduct a 

district competition. Use of the MRA is subject to the limitations outlined by Title 2 of the U.S. 

Code and regulations promulgated by the Committee on House Administration. 

Advertising 

A Member office may purchase advertising for a competition event or for information about the 

Academic competition. The advertisement regulations in the Members Handbook apply. 

Gifts and Awards 

A Member office may provide authorized gifts or awards of nominal value as part of the 

Academic competition. Gifts authorized by the Members' Handbook include certificates, 

folders, and frames of a nominal value. Outside from the items listed above, an office may not 

use the MRA to purchase any other prizes as these are considered gifts. 

Personal Fuuds 

Subject to the rules and regulations of the House, Members may use their own personal funds to 

supplement the MRA and the costs of conducting a district competition. 
7 

The CHAIRMAN. And, without objection, the first reading of the 

resolution is dispensed with. And the resolution is considered read 

and open for any amendment at any point. 

Is there any debate on the resolution? 

Are there any Members who want to offer an amendment to the 

resolution? 

If not, I move the committee adopt the resolution. And the question is on the motion. 

All those in favor will signify by saying aye. 

Opposed will say nay. 

In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The ayes have it. 

The motion is agreed to. 

And, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the 

table. 

And I would ask the committee for unanimous consent that the 

staff be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to 

the measure the committee just considered. 

Without objection, so ordered. 

And that concludes today’s markup. And the markup portion of 

this meeting is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 11:39 a.m., the committee proceeded to other 

business.] 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with HEARINGS