III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 411 

Expressing support for the goals and ideals of the biennial USA Science 

& Engineering Festival in Washington, DC, and designating April 11 

through April 17, 2016, as ‘‘National Science and Technology Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 4, 2016 

Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. ALEXANDER, and Mr. KIRK) submitted the 

following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the goals and ideals of the biennial 

USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, DC, 

and designating April 11 through April 17, 2016, as 

‘‘National Science and Technology Week’’. 

Whereas science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 

(referred to in this preamble as ‘‘STEM’’) are essential 

to the future global competitiveness of the United States; 

Whereas advances in technology have resulted in significant 

improvement in the daily life of each individual in the 

United States; 

Whereas scientific discoveries are critical to curing diseases, 

solving global challenges, and an increased understanding 

of the world; 


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•SRES 411 ATS 

Whereas the future global economy requires a workforce that 

is educated in science and engineering specialties; 

Whereas educating a new generation of individuals in the 

United States in STEM is crucial to ensure continued 

economic growth; 

Whereas an increase in the interest of the next generation of 

students in the United States, particularly young women 

and underrepresented minorities, in STEM is necessary 

to maintain the global competitiveness of the United 

States; 

Whereas science and engineering festivals have attracted millions of participants and inspired an effort throughout 

the United States to promote science and engineering; 

Whereas thousands of institutions of higher education, museums, science centers, STEM professional societies, educational societies, government agencies and laboratories, 

community organizations, elementary and secondary 

schools, volunteers, corporate and private sponsors, and 

nonprofit organizations come together to organize the 

USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, DC, 

during April 2016; 

Whereas the USA Science & Engineering Festival, through 

exhibits on topics including human spaceflight, medicine, 

engineering, biotechnology, physics, and astronomy— 

(1) reinvigorates the interest of young individuals in 

the United States in STEM; and 

(2) highlights the important contributions of science 

and engineering to the competitiveness of the United 

States; and 

Whereas scientific research is essential to the competitiveness 

of the United States, and an event such as the USA 


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•SRES 411 ATS 

Science & Engineering Festival promotes the importance 

of scientific research and development for the future of 

the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of 

3 the USA Science & Engineering Festival to promote, 

4 as the cornerstones of innovation and competition in 

5 the United States— 

6 (A) scholarship in science; and 

7 (B) an interest in scientific research and 

8 development; 

9 (2) supports a festival, such as the USA 

10 Science & Engineering Festival, that focuses on the 

11 importance of science and engineering to the daily 

12 life of each individual in the United States through 

13 exhibits on topics including human spaceflight, medi14 cine, engineering, biotechnology, physics, and astron15 omy; 

16 (3) congratulates each individual or organiza17 tion the efforts of which make the USA Science & 

18 Engineering Festival possible; 

19 (4) recognizes that the USA Science & Engi20 neering Festival highlights the accomplishments of 

21 the United States in science and engineering; 

22 (5) encourages each family and child to partici23 pate in 1 or more of the activities or exhibits of the 


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•SRES 411 ATS 

1 USA Science & Engineering Festival, which will 

2 occur— 

3 (A) in Washington, DC; and 

4 (B) across the United States as satellite 

5 events; and 

6 (6) designates April 11 through April 17, 2016, 

7 as ‘‘National Science and Technology Week’’. 

Æ 


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