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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 656 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 656

    Expressing support for the inaugural USA Science & Engineering 
                               Festival.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 28, 2010

 Mr. Kaufman (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Rockefeller, and 
Mr. Akaka) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Expressing support for the inaugural USA Science & Engineering 
                               Festival.

Whereas the global economy of the future will require a workforce that is 
        educated in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics (referred to in this preamble as ``STEM'');
Whereas a new generation of American students educated in STEM is crucial to 
        ensure continued economic growth;
Whereas advances in technology have resulted in significant improvements in the 
        daily lives of the people of the United States;
Whereas scientific discoveries are critical to curing diseases, solving global 
        challenges, and expanding our understanding of the world;
Whereas strengthening the interest of American students, particularly young 
        women and underrepresented minorities, in STEM education is necessary to 
        maintain the global competitiveness of the United States;
Whereas countries around the world have held science festivals that have brought 
        together hundreds of thousands of visitors to celebrate science;
Whereas the inaugural 2009 San Diego Science Festival attracted more than 
        500,000 participants and inspired a national STEM effort;
Whereas the mission of the USA Science & Engineering Festival is to reinvigorate 
        the interest of the young people of the United States in STEM by 
        producing exciting and educational science and engineering gatherings; 
        and
Whereas thousands of individuals from universities, museums and science centers, 
        STEM professional societies, educational societies, government agencies 
        and laboratories, community organizations, K-12 schools, volunteers, 
        corporate and private sponsors, and nonprofit organizations have come 
        together to organize the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival 
        across the United States, including a 2-day exposition on the National 
        Mall that will feature more than 1,500 hands-on activities and more than 
        75 stage shows: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses the support of the Senate for the inaugural 
        USA Science & Engineering Festival to be held in October 2010 
        in Washington, D.C.;
            (2) commends the Nobel Laureates, institutions of higher 
        education, corporate sponsors, and all the various 
        organizations whose efforts will make the USA Science & 
        Engineering Festival possible; and
            (3) encourages students and their families to participate 
        in the activities which will take place on the National Mall 
        and across the United States at satellite locations as part of 
        the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival.
                                 <all>
```