Date: 2014-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I want to thank Chairman SIMPSON and Ranking Member KAPTUR for their stewardship in bringing this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving Americas great natural environment and resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come. My amendment increases funding for DOE Office of Minority Impact by $500.000. which should be used to enhance the Departments engagement with minorities programs and other related activities. Mr. Chair. the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity is a paean to Energy Secretary Monizs holistic view of diversity. which recognizes that participation via equal access is critical to our commitment to ensuring that the Department works for all Americansparticularly to improve the lives of low income and minority communities as well as the environment at large. Twenty years ago. on February 11. 1994. President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898. directing federal agencies to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and lowincome populations. I need to take time to highlight the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity because STEM education has become my calling card. The Department of Energy seeks to provide equal access in these opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM. including minorities. Native Americans. and women. Mr. Chair. women and minorities make up 70 percent of college students. but only 45 percent of undergraduate STEM degree holders. This large pool of untapped talent is a great potential source of STEM professionals. As the nations demographics are shifting and now most children under the age of one are minorities. it is critical that we close the gap in the number of minorities who seek STEM opportunities. I applaud the Secretarys commitment which will increase the nations economic competitiveness and enable more of our people to realize their full potential. Mr. Chair. there are still a great many scientific riddles left to be solvedand perhaps one of these days a minority engineer or biologist will comeup with some of the solutions. The larger point is that we need more STEM educators and more minorities to qualify for them. The funding provided by this amendment will help ensure that members of underrepresented communities are not placed at a disadvantage when it comes to the environmental sustainability. preservation. and health. Through education about the importance of environmental sustainability. we can promote a broader understanding of science and how citizens can improve their surroundings. Through community education efforts. teachers and students have also benefitted by learning about radiation. radioactive waste management. and other related subjects. The Department of Energy places interns and volunteers from minority institutions into energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The DOE also works to increase low income and minority access to STEM fields and help students attain graduate degrees as well as find employment. The other offices within the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity are the Minority Business and Economic Development. the Minority Education and Community Development. Civil Rights. Diversity and Inclusion. Council on Women and Girls. and Minority Banks. With the continuation of this kind of funding. we can increase diversity. provide clean energy options to our most underserved communities. and help improve their environments. which will yield better health outcomes and greater public awareness. But most importantly businesses will have more consumers to whom they may engage in related commercial activities. We must help our low income and minority communities and ensure equity for those who are most vulnerable in our country. I ask my colleagues to join me and support the Jackson Lee Amendment for the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity Program. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Ohio .