[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E331-E332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICA'S YOUNG LEADERS

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT S. WALKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 1996

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, ``Why can't Johnny * * *'' This question is 
one of the most often posed to parents, educators and policymakers. It 
strikes at the heart of the performance of the American education 
system. Sometimes the answers aren't what Americans want to hear.
  The Westinghouse Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Westinghouse 
Electric Corp., however, is the bearer of good news about our Nation's 
schools. Not only is Johnny learning, he/she is excelling in math and 
science.
  For the 55th year, the Westinghouse Foundation, in partnership with 
Science Service Inc., is recognizing America's best and brightest young 
scholars by awarding the most prestigious and coveted high school 
scholarships the Nation has to offer in math and science.
  This year, the Westinghouse Science Talent Search has selected 15 
young women and 25 young men from across the Nation as finalists in the 
national competition. These outstanding young Americans are in 
Washington this week and as finalists join the ranks of the Nation's 
most eminent scientists.
  For thousands of students who dream of careers in science, the 
Westinghouse competition has helped make those dreams come true. Since 
1942, this nationwide competition has identified and encouraged high 
school seniors to pursue careers in science, mathematics, or 
engineering. This year's competition included almost 2,000 high school 
seniors from 735 high schools located throughout the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Their independent science 
research project entries covered the full spectrum of scientific 
inquiry, from biology to solid state luminescence.
  Since the scholarship search program was founded 55 years ago, 
113,000 young men and women have entered the competition.
  Half of the winners from previous years are today teaching or 
conducting scientific research programs. They hold five Nobel Prizes, 
two Field Medals in mathematics, three National Medals of Science, and 
nine MacArthur Foundation Fellowships. The alumni include 56 Sloan 
Research Fellows and 30 members of the National Academy of Sciences. In 
all, Westinghouse Science Talent Search alumni hold more than 100 of 
the world's most coveted science and math awards and honors.
  There's much going on in Washington these days, but the presence here 
of these young Americans who represent the finest scholars our 
secondary schools have produced, should not go unnoticed or unheralded. 
They are here with their research projects which are on display in the 
Great Hall of the National Academy of Sciences, so that we can see 
first hand the kind of work being done at the high school level.
  Often times those of us in Congress can contribute more to quality 
education by simply calling public attention to outstanding work 
achievements beyond the walls of the Federal Government, than by 
casting our votes on the floor.
  The Westinghouse Science Talent Search is just one example of the 
private sector taking a lead role in initiating programs to meet the 
many serious challenges facing the next generation of American leaders. 
These most prestigious science awards have been around for more than 
half a century, but their luster and impact on young students has not 
diminished. The opposite is true. They have motivated students, 
encouraged scholarship, and inspired scientific excellence. That is 
what we want American education to be.
  The time I have served on the House Science Committee has impressed 
upon me the tremendous challenges we, as a nation, face in the fields 
of science and mathematics. These years also have taught me the 
futility of too much dependence upon Government alone to meet those 
challenges. Government can be a motivator, a facilitator and an 
inspiration, but it can never do all we need to do.
  So I salute the young high school students in Washington this week 
and I hope this city, with a plate full of legislation, politics, 
controversy, and consternation, will take a moment to join in that 
salute and urge them on

[[Page E332]]

to greater heights of individual achievement and excellence.
  This year's Westinghouse Science Talent Search finalists are among 
1,869 high school seniors from 735 high schools located throughout the 
50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The research 
completed by the finalists is on the level of that performed by college 
graduate school students, even though the authors range in age from 
only 16 to 18.

                          ____________________