I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4030
To establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math 
and Science Education program to recognize private entities for their 
outstanding contributions to elementary and secondary science, tech-
nology, engineering, and mathematics education. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 25, 2004
Mr. SMITH of Michigan (for himself and Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of 
Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Science 
A BILL 
To establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Con-
tributions in Math and Science Education program to 
recognize private entities for their outstanding contribu-
tions to elementary and secondary science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics education.
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 ‘‘Congressional Medal 
for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Edu-
cation Act of 2004’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the National Science Foundation. 
(2) ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
AND
SECONDARY 
SCHOOL.—The terms ‘‘elementary school’’ and ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ have the meaning given those terms 
in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. 
The Director shall establish a Congressional Medal 
for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Edu-
cation program, which shall be designed to—
(1) recognize private entities for outstanding ef-
forts supporting elementary and secondary schools 
in improving student achievement in science, tech-
nology, engineering, and mathematics; 
(2) encourage private entities to support ele-
mentary and secondary schools to improve and un-
derscore the importance of science, technology, engi-
neering, and mathematics education; and 
(3) make information about medal recipients 
available to schools, institutions of higher education, 
educators, parents, administrators, policymakers, re-
searchers, public and private entities, and the gen-
eral public.
SEC. 4. MEDALS. 
(a) FINALISTS.—Beginning not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
annually name as finalists for medals under this Act—
(1) not more than 20 private entities with more 
than 500 employees; and 
(2) not more than 20 private entities with 500 
or fewer employees. 
Each finalist shall receive a citation describing the basis 
for the entity achieving status as a finalist. 
(b) MEDAL WINNERS.—Beginning not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, from among 
finalists named under subsection (a), the Director shall 
annually award medals under this Act to—
(1) not more than 5 private entities with more 
than 500 employees; and 
(2) not more than 5 private entities with 500 
or fewer employees. 
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION.—(1) The Di-
rector shall distribute information about the Congressional 
Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
Education recipients under this Act in a timely and effi-
cient manner (including through the use of a searchable 
online database) to schools, institutions of higher edu-
cation, educators, parents, administrators, policymakers,
researchers, public and private entities, and the general 
public. 
(2) An entity that is a finalist or receives a medal 
under this section may use such information for adver-
tising and other publicity purposes. 
SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY. 
Any private entity that has, whether working alone 
or in partnership with for-profit or nonprofit entities, as-
sisted students, teachers, administrators, or other support 
staff to improve student achievement in science, tech-
nology, engineering, and mathematics in a school or com-
munity shall be eligible to receive a medal under section 
4. The entity must have been involved in such activities 
in a sustained manner for at least 2 years with at least 
one elementary or secondary school. 
SEC. 6. APPLICATION. 
The Director shall establish a system for accepting 
applications from entities seeking to be considered for a 
medal under this Act. Applications shall include at least 
two letters of support, which may come from teachers, 
professional support staff, administrators, professional or 
business organizations, local, county, or State Depart-
ments of Education, or any other category of persons as 
designated by the Director. Letters of support shall de-
scribe the reasons the entity deserves the medal.
SEC. 7. SELECTION. 
In selecting entities to receive medals under this Act, 
the Director shall give priority consideration to evidence 
of improved student achievement in science, technology, 
engineering, or mathematics. In addition to any other cri-
teria the Director may establish, the Director shall also 
consider the following: 
(1) Evidence of innovative approaches to in-
crease interest by students in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics, such as an increase 
in the number of students enrolled in advanced 
courses related to such fields. 
(2) Evidence of employee interaction with stu-
dents or teachers to support and improve mathe-
matics and science learning. 
(3) Evidence of success in positively influencing 
student attitudes and promoting education and ca-
reer opportunities in science, technology, engineer-
ing, and mathematics. 
(4) Evidence of successful outreach to students, 
parents, and the community regarding the impor-
tance of mathematics and science education to the 
Nation’s prosperity, job creation, and standard of 
living, as well as future earning potential for the in-
dividual.
(5) Evidence of a strong and sustained commit-
ment to the students and schools. 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, there 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation such sums as may be necessary for carrying 
out this Act, to be derived from amounts authorized by 
the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002.
Æ