Title: Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This resolution supports the goal of increasing 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 U.S. economy.
The resolution also encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering.
Finally, the resolution recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving institutions and all institutions of higher education must play in order to achieve the goal of increasing Latino individuals in STEM.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1105 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1105

  Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and 
     young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
                  engineering, and mathematics fields.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 11, 2022

  Mr. Cardenas (for himself and Ms. Salazar) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
 Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and 
     young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
                  engineering, and mathematics 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 United 
        States labor force since the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009;
Whereas the Latino population is growing more rapidly than the non-Latino 
        population, and has a younger median age of 29.5, as compared to 40.6 
        years among non-Latinos;
Whereas the overall number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        (STEM) graduates 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 increased, but 
        the increase has only been 1 percent annually since 2016;
Whereas the attractiveness of STEM career paths is evidenced by the fact that 
        the number of bachelor's degrees in STEM increased for all citizens of 
        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, they make up a disproportionately low share of the STEM 
        workforce;
Whereas many Latino students are not adequately prepared or well-positioned to 
        take full advantage of financial aid opportunities to attend an 
        institution of higher education;
Whereas the National Center for Education Statistics reports that with 70 
        percent of Latino students having unmet financial needs, the highest of 
        any demographic, this 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; and
Whereas greater investment in the Latino community will generate more 
        individuals eager to pursue STEM jobs and will greatly increase our 
        domestic high-skilled workforce: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goal of increasing 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 United States 
        economy;
            (2) acknowledges that, while Latino individuals have been a 
        foundation for the United States economy, they are 
        underrepresented in STEM fields to the detriment of these 
        industries and the broader United States economy;
            (3) acknowledges that a strong commitment toward diversity 
        and inclusion, which has been shown to improve the performance 
        of the STEM workforce, will require greater investment in our 
        Latino community and this emphasis will help develop talented 
        and capable STEM workers, reduce our Nation's dependence on 
        foreign workers, and secure our Nation's future as a leader in 
        STEM;
            (4) encourages increased Federal support for initiatives 
        aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM 
        education and career paths, particularly engineering; and
            (5) recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving 
        institutions and all institutions of higher education must play 
        in order to achieve this goal of increasing Latino individuals 
        in STEM.
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