IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 224 

Supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 9, 2009 

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. LIPINSKI, 

and Mr. BAIRD) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Science and Technology 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other 

purposes. 

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 one 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; 

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; 


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•HRES 224 IH 

Whereas aptitude in mathematics, science, and engineering is 

essential for a knowledge-based society; 

Whereas, according to the 2007 Trends in International 

Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey done by 

the National Center for Education Statistics, American 

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

students in other countries including Taiwan, Singapore, 

Russia, England, South Korea, Latvia, and Japan; 

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

Whereas by the 8th grade, American males outperform females on the science portion of the TIMSS survey, especially in Biology, Physics, and Earth Science, and the 

lowest American scores in math and science are found in 

minority and impoverished school districts; 

Whereas America needs to reinforce mathematics and science 

education for all students in order to better prepare our 

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 59 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 

Whereas Pi can be approximated as 3.14, and thus March 

14, 2009, is an appropriate day for ‘‘National Pi Day’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 224 IH 

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

2 its celebration around the world; 

3 (2) recognizes the continuing importance of Na4 tional Science Foundation’s math and science edu5 cation programs; and 

6 (3) encourages schools and educators to observe 

7 the day with appropriate activities that teach stu8 dents about Pi and engage them about the study of 

9 mathematics. 

Æ 


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