III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 656 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 28, 2010 Mr. Kaufman (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Rockefeller, and Mr. Akaka) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival.

Whereas the global economy of the future will require a workforce that is educated in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this preamble as STEM); Whereas a new generation of American students educated in STEM is crucial to ensure continued economic growth; Whereas advances in technology have resulted in significant improvements in the daily lives of the people of the United States; Whereas scientific discoveries are critical to curing diseases, solving global challenges, and expanding our understanding of the world; Whereas strengthening the interest of American students, particularly young women and underrepresented minorities, in STEM education is necessary to maintain the global competitiveness of the United States; Whereas countries around the world have held science festivals that have brought together hundreds of thousands of visitors to celebrate science; Whereas the inaugural 2009 San Diego Science Festival attracted more than 500,000 participants and inspired a national STEM effort; Whereas the mission of the USA Science & Engineering Festival is to reinvigorate the interest of the young people of the United States in STEM by producing exciting and educational science and engineering gatherings; and Whereas thousands of individuals from universities, museums and science centers, STEM professional societies, educational societies, government agencies and laboratories, community organizations, K-12 schools, volunteers, corporate and private sponsors, and nonprofit organizations have come together to organize the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival across the United States, including a 2-day exposition on the National Mall that will feature more than 1,500 hands-on activities and more than 75 stage shows: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)expresses the support of the Senate for the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival to be held in October 2010 in Washington, D.C.; (2)commends the Nobel Laureates, institutions of higher education, corporate sponsors, and all the various organizations whose efforts will make the USA Science & Engineering Festival possible; and (3)encourages students and their families to participate in the activities which will take place on the National Mall and across the United States at satellite locations as part of the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival.