I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3130
To provide for increasing the technically trained workforce in the United
States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 16, 2001
Mr. BOEHLERT (for himself, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. HART, Mr.
HONDA, and Mr. UDALL of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration fo such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide for increasing the technically trained workforce
in the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Technology Talent Act
of 2001’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; DEFINITIONS.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings with respect to the value of the technically trained
workforce to the United States:
(1) Studies show that about half of all United
States post-World War II economic growth is a di-
rect result of technological innovation, and science,
engineering, and technology play a central role in
the creation of new goods and services, new jobs,
and new capital.
(2) The growth in the number of jobs requiring
technical skills is projected to be more than 50 per-
cent over the next decade.
(3) A workforce that is highly trained in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology is
crucial to generating the innovation that drives eco-
nomic growth.
(4) Outside of the biomedical sciences, the num-
ber of undergraduate degrees awarded in the
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
disciplines has been flat or declining since 1987, de-
spite rapid population growth and a significant in-
crease in undergraduate enrollment over the same
period.
(5) The demand for H–1B visas has increased
over the past several years, suggesting that the
United States is not training a sufficient number of
scientists and engineers.
(6) In international comparisons of 24-year
olds, there have been shown to be fewer holders of
natural science and engineering degrees in the
United States than in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,
the United Kingdom, and Canada.
(7) Technological and scientific advancements
hold significant potential for elevating the quality of
life and the standard of living in the United States.
The quality and quantity of such advancements are
dependent on a technically trained workforce.
(8) Arresting the trends in reduced numbers of
science and engineering graduates is not only imper-
ative to maintaining our Nation’s prosperity, it is
also important for our national security.
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act:
(1) COMMUNITY COLLEGE.—The term ‘‘commu-
nity college’’ means an institution of higher edu-
cation that provides not less than a 2-year program
that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s
degree, including institutions receiving assistance
under the Tribally Controlled Community College
Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
(2) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means
the Director of the National Science Foundation.
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
SEC. 3. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director is authorized to
award grants, on a competitive basis to institutions of
higher education with science, mathematics, engineering,
or technology programs to enable the institutions to in-
crease the number of students studying and receiving as-
sociates or bachelor’s degrees in established or emerging
fields within science, mathematics, engineering, and tech-
nology.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) NUMBER.—The Director shall award not
fewer than 10 grants under this Act each year con-
tingent upon available funds.
(2) DURATION.—Grants under this Act shall be
awarded for a period of 3 years, with the final year
of funding contingent upon the Director’s deter-
mination that satisfactory progress has been made
by the institution or community college during the
first 2 years of the grant period.