[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 791 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 791

 Supporting the goals and ideas of the Hispanic Engineering, Science, 
 and Technology Initiative and recognizing the University of Texas-Pan 
   American for its efforts to prepare Hispanic youth for careers in 
                 engineering, science, and technology.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 22, 2004

Mr. Hinojosa submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideas of the Hispanic Engineering, Science, 
 and Technology Initiative and recognizing the University of Texas-Pan 
   American for its efforts to prepare Hispanic youth for careers in 
                 engineering, science, and technology.

Whereas the Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology Initiative is a 
        national celebration that emphasizes the importance of math and science 
        literacy by highlighting rewarding career paths in engineering, science, 
        and technology;
Whereas, under the leadership of its vice president of external affairs, Roland 
        Arriola, the University of Texas-Pan American founded the Hispanic 
        Engineering, Science, and Technology Initiative as an innovative and 
        comprehensive project to encourage other Hispanic-serving institutions 
        to work to increase the number of Hispanics in the disciplines of 
        engineering, science, and technology;
Whereas, although science and engineering employment opportunities increase at a 
        rate 3 times greater than the rate of increase for all other 
        occupations, the number of college students entering the fields of math, 
        science, and engineering continues to decline, placing the position of 
        the United States as the world's leader in science and technology at 
        risk;
Whereas, although Hispanics will represent 1 out of 4 students in United States 
        public elementary and secondary schools by 2010, only 4 percent of 
        scientists and engineers in the United States are Hispanic, presenting 
        both a challenge and an opportunity for institutions of higher education 
        to attract more Hispanics entering the career fields of engineering, 
        science, and technology;
Whereas Hispanic-serving institutions, including the University of Texas-Pan 
        American in Edinburg, Texas, play a large role in preparing the future 
        Hispanic workforce;
Whereas the University of Texas-Pan American established the Hispanic 
        Engineering, Science, and Technology Center of Excellence to serve as a 
        future workforce development model to encourage more Hispanics to enter 
        the engineering, science, and technology sectors;
Whereas research on minority participation in science and engineering points to 
        the lack of role models and mentors, the lack of awareness of careers 
        and opportunities in science and engineering, the loss of interest or 
        motivation, and the lack of cultural and society support for science as 
        some of the factors that discourage minorities from participation;
Whereas the signature event of the Initiative, Hispanic Engineering, Science, 
        and Technology Week, aims to overcome such limitations by providing 
        Hispanic students with role models, creating awareness of different 
        career paths in the engineering, science, and technology fields, and 
        motivating students, parents, and teachers by hosting Community Night, 
        Latina Day, and Educators' Day during the Week;
Whereas students who attend Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology Week 
        at the University of Texas-Pan American have more positive attitudes 
        about scientists and engineers, have more positive perceptions of the 
        engineering profession, and are more interested in pursuing careers in 
        engineering than those who have not participated in Hispanic 
        Engineering, Science, and Technology Week;
Whereas, in 2003, Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology Week generated 
        more than $1,000,000 in scholarship funds for college students and more 
        than 1,500 teachers from Texas and throughout the Nation, 25,000 
        community members, and 330,000 students participated in the Week's 
        activities; and
Whereas the University of Texas-Pan American is hosting its third annual 
        Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology Week from September 26 to 
        October 2, 2004: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideas of Hispanic Engineering, 
        Science, and Technology Week, founded by the University of 
        Texas-Pan American; and
            (2) recognizes the University of Texas-Pan American for its 
        efforts to prepare Hispanic youth for careers in engineering, 
        science, and technology.
                                 <all>