Title: A resolution expressing support to increase the growing number of Latino students and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This resolution supports the goal of increasing the number of Latino individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community but in the overall economy of the United States.
The resolution also supports increasing the representation of Latino individuals in STEM fields to enhance and improve representation and improve performance in the STEM workforce.
Finally, the resolution encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 640 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 640

 Expressing support to increase the growing number of Latino students 
   and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
              engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 17, 2022

   Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support to increase the growing number of Latino students 
   and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
              engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Whereas the Latino population in the United States has grown significantly over 
        the years on a national basis and Latinos accounted for more than 
        62,000,000 residents in 2020;
Whereas the number of Latinos enrolled at an institution of higher education has 
        increased from 2,900,000 in 2010 to 3,600,000 in 2019;
Whereas Latinos are responsible for 78 percent of the growth of the labor force 
        of the United States since the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009;
Whereas the Latino population in the United States is growing more rapidly than 
        the non-Latino population and has a younger median age of 29.5 years, as 
        compared to 40.6 years among non-Latinos in 2018;
Whereas the overall number of graduates in the fields of science, technology, 
        engineering, and math (in this preamble referred to as ``STEM'') has 
        increased, but Latino workers remain underrepresented in the STEM 
        workforce, making up 18 percent of total employees across all 
        occupations but only 8 percent of all STEM workers;
Whereas the percentage of Latino workers in STEM occupations has only increased 
        by 1 percent annually since 2016;
Whereas the attractiveness of STEM career paths is evidenced by the fact that 
        the number of bachelor's degrees awarded in STEM fields increased for 
        all individuals in the United States by 62 percent between 2010 and 
        2018, in comparison to a 20 percent growth for all other degrees;
Whereas, while surveys indicate that Latino students are interested in STEM 
        education and aspire to STEM careers at similar rates as overrepresented 
        groups, Latinos make up a disproportionately low share of the STEM 
        workforce;
Whereas many Latino students are not well-positioned to take full advantage of 
        financial aid opportunities to attend an institution of higher 
        education, and the National Center for Education Statistics reports that 
        70 percent of Latino students have unmet financial needs, the highest of 
        any demographic, which is especially true in the case of first-
        generation college students in Latino families, making it far more 
        difficult for them to pursue STEM education and careers;
Whereas the growth of well-paying STEM jobs is expected to outpace non-STEM jobs 
        in the coming years, making STEM fields even more attractive for Latino 
        students and young adults and increasing the need for new strategies to 
        facilitate their entrance into STEM fields; and
Whereas investment in the Latino community will generate more individuals eager 
        to pursue STEM jobs and will greatly increase the domestic high-skilled 
        workforce of the United States: Now therefore be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goal of increasing the number of Latino 
        individuals in science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics (in this resolution referred to as ``STEM'') as a 
        way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not 
        only in their community but in the overall economy of the 
        United States;
            (2) supports increasing the representation of Latino 
        individuals in STEM fields to enhance and improve 
        representation and improve performance in the STEM workforce, 
        which will help--
                    (A) develop talented and capable STEM workers;
                    (B) reduce the dependence of the economy of the 
                United States on foreign workers; and
                    (C) secure the future of the United States as a 
                leader in STEM;
            (3) encourages increased Federal support for initiatives 
        aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM 
        education and career paths, particularly engineering; and
            (4) recognizes the important role that Hispanic Serving 
        Institutions and all colleges and universities must play in 
        order to achieve this goal of increasing Latino individuals in 
        STEM.
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