Date: 2011-07-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman very much. And as I conclude with that generous offer. let me mention in 2006 only 4.5 percent of college graduates in the United States received a diploma in engineering compared to 25 percent in South Korea and 33 percent in China. So let me close. Mr. Chairman. by saying that we have had programs that have been very effective. such as the Harmony Science Academy in Houston. that devotes an impressive amount of time and resources educating the citys youth. minority youth in math and science and even doing research in cancer. Finally. I want to thank Dr. Reagan Flowers. who has implemented a dynamic program on STEM technology in the Houston area and a national program. I would like to congratulate Mae Jemison. one of our astronauts. the first African American woman to go into space. who likewise has an outstanding program. and the Ron McNair Program. one of our astronauts who lost his life sacrificing for the American people. challenging us and challenging our capacity. His program run by his family is another excellent program. In conclusion. from Ben Franklin to NASA to Silicon Valley. the success of the competitiveness of America has always depended on the knowledge and skills in the STEM field. This amendment will help us focus on expanding that for all Americans. I thank the gentleman for his generosity. Mr. Chair. I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 2354. the Energy and Water Appropriations Development Bill. My amendment will protect funds provided for science under Title III of the Department of Energys Energy Programs. This amendment addresses the need to increase programs that educate minorities in science. technology. engineering and mathematics. STEM. as well as the need to train teachers and scientists in advanced scientific and technical practices. As a former Member of the Committee on Science. Space. and Technology. I recognize the importance of developing a highly skilled technical workforce. Over the last 50 years. there have been major changes in the United States in terms of both the economy and the population. The economic base has built upon the base of manufacturing of durable goods and added the processing and analyzing of information. In the 21st century we can manufacture goods and expand information technologyboth create jobs. In this informationdriven economy. the most valuable assets are human resources. Therefore. in order to compete successfully in the global economy. the U.S. needs citizens who are literate in terms of science and mathematics. and a STEM workforce that is well educated and well trained (Friedman 2005. National Academy of Sciences 2005. Pearson 2005). Consequently. we cannotliterally or figurativelyafford to squander its human resources. it is imperative that we develop and nurture the talent of all its citizens. The jobs of tomorrow will require workers who possess strong advanced science. engineering and math backgrounds. Other countries are training and educating their citizens in these areas and we must do the same. By investing in the scientific advancement of our workforce and our youth. we are investing in our future . . . we are investing in job creation � . . we are investing in greater job opportunities for Americans. This investment is the only way to address the increasing knowledge gap between our Nations workforce and those of our international counterparts. We must invest in our citizens. My amendment will ensure the funds that have been made available will be utilized for that purpose.