[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 793 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 793

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      October 20, 2009.
Whereas chemistry is a vitally important field of science and technology that 
        has transformed the world and improved the quality of life around the 
        globe;
Whereas the chemical sciences have created an infrastructure that delivers the 
        foods, fuels, medicines, and materials that are the hallmarks of modern 
        life;
Whereas the contributions of chemical scientists and engineers are central to 
        technological progress and to the health of many industries, including 
        the chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics, agricultural, automotive, and 
        aerospace industries, and these contributions boost economic growth, 
        create new jobs, and improve health and standards of living;
Whereas, in order to foster the innovation that will ensure the Nation's global 
        competitiveness, schools must cultivate the finest scientists, 
        engineers, and technicians from every background and neighborhood, with 
        a particular focus on increasing access to science, technology, 
        engineering, and math education for Latinos, African-Americans, women, 
        and other underrepresented students in these fields;
Whereas National Chemistry Week was established in 1987 by the American Chemical 
        Society, the world's largest scientific society, to enhance public 
        appreciation of the chemical sciences and to educate the public, 
        particularly school-age children, about the important role of chemistry 
        in everyday life;
Whereas 2009 marks the 140th anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev's creation of the 
        Periodic Table of the Elements;
Whereas the theme of National Chemistry Week in 2009, ``Chemistry--It's 
        Elemental'', was chosen to raise public awareness about the importance 
        of chemistry and the chemical sciences by emphasizing that the elements, 
        forming the basis of the universe, play an integral role in daily life;
Whereas many common elements, such as copper in electrical wires, neon in 
        lights, sodium in table salt, and aluminum in soda cans, are tangibly 
        present in everyday life;
Whereas more than 10,000 volunteers from industry, government, and academia will 
        observe National Chemistry Week during the week of October 18, 2009, by 
        conducting hands-on science activities with millions of children in 
        local schools, libraries, and museums; and
Whereas National Chemistry Week volunteers will help provide resources to 
        science educators across the country, promote community events for 
        recycling common elemental items such as aluminum cans, encourage 
        students to explore creative representations of the elements in the 
        Periodic Table, and generally act as ``chemistry ambassadors'' who 
        emphasize the importance and contributions of chemistry to daily life: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the contributions of chemical scientists and 
        engineers have created new jobs, boosted economic growth, and improved 
        the Nation's health and standard of living;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe National 
        Chemistry Week with appropriate recognition, activities, and programs to 
        demonstrate the importance of chemistry to everyday life.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.