Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I Yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 366. expressing the sense of Congress that increasing American capabilities in science. math and technology education should be a national priority. Our Nations youth are key to our Nations future prosperity. And I have schools in my district that are ranking very high. 1. 2. 3 and 4. Theyve been 1 and 2 and now theyre 2 and 4. Thats called the Townview Gifted and Talented school. ranked second in the Nation. was considered the best public school last year in the nation. And the Science and Engineer Magnet was ranked fourth this year. and it was number 2 last year by Newsweek magazine. Townviews School of Talented and Gifted was always ranked among the best high schools in America. and this year. by the U.S. News and World Report. In support from the high tech industry such as Texas Instruments in Dallas. as well as other local generous investors which have been critical to setting up the schools for the students success. Unfortunately. few schools demonstrate the educational excellence of Towlview. not even any more in Dallas. Congress must incentivize investments at the local level to help improve the quality of public education. The UTeach Program. which started in Texas and headquartered at the University of Texas in Austin. is a terrific education program that places engaged. highly trained teachers in the classroom. These educators. in turn. inspire their students. Young people are learning that math and science are fun. Theyre learning that these subjects are important. and that they can lead to fulfilling and profitable careers. UTeach is funded partially by generous investments from the private sector which needs these people for future employment. So we consider it an investment for them. UTeach has tracked the success of its educational model. and it is transforming the quality of math and science education in schools that it touches. Demonstrated methods of success must be supported and expanded. and this is critical for our Nation. Tomorrows hightech jobs will require a skilled workforce. Todays students are not being adequately prepared for these jobs. and it is my fear that businesses will increasingly look toward China. Taiwan. Japan and India for their workforce needs. Those nations are investing a greater percentage of their gross national product on the education of scientists. mathematicians and engineers. Theyre producing a large workforce of bright. young. talented individuals who work for less. money than our citizens will. American companies are already hiring them. And the only solution is to produce a better prepared work force. The root of that preparation is education. And it is too serious and too important not to give the utmost attention. Mr. Speaker. I wish that every school could get the support and perform as well as Townview does. But my resolution expresses a sense of Congress that we must make education a much higher national priority. A couple of years ago there was a publication by the National Academies of Science and Medicine and the National Science Foundation entitled the Rising Tide Before the Gathering Storm. Well. the gathering storm of international competition is already here. and so we must reform our public education policies. provide greater challenges to our students and give young people the tools and opportunities that they need to succeed. Our economy in this country depends on this. and we stgrt with wellprepared teachers. *Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time. E 1315