[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 113 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1739-E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WORKFORCE SKILLS SHORTAGES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 4, 1999

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Chairman of the 
Immigration Subcommittee, Representative Lamar Smith, for recognizing 
the important role technology companies play in our nation's economy, 
and holding a hearing on Thursday to investigate the workforce shortage 
affecting America's high-tech industries. The high-tech explosion 
experienced in the U.S. has created over 1

[[Page E1740]]

million jobs since 1993 and produced an industry unemployment rate of 
1.4 percent. In California alone, this technology explosion has made 
the Golden State number one in high-tech employment by creating 784,151 
jobs and making up 61 percent of California's exports. As a result, our 
nation's economy has surged and the American people are enjoying the 
highest standard of living in history.
  While our economy is strong, we must recognize that if cutting edge 
technology companies do not have access to growing numbers of highly 
skilled personnel, it will threaten our nation's ability to maintain 
robust economic growth and expanding opportunities. For the second year 
in a row, robust growth in technology in technology industries have 
placed significant strains on the H-1B visa program. Last year, these 
visas were increased to ensure that the scarcity of skilled workers not 
undermine the ability of the economy to grow. Unfortunately, the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service reached the visa cap in June 
leaving 42,000 visas outstanding. Additionally, there are currently 
over 340,000 unfilled positions in the high-tech industry, and the 
Department of Labor projects that this deficit will increase by 1 
million workers in the next decade.
  I believe that highly-skilled, temporary foreign workers are critical 
to filling a limited number of positions for which no qualified 
Americans are available. That is why I introduced the New Workers for 
Economic Growth Act of 1999 as the House companion for S. 1440 
introduced by Senator Phil Gramm. This legislation increases the level 
of H-1B visas available for highly-skilled scientists and engineers to 
200,000 for the years 2000-2002.
  It is clear that education reform and worker training are essential 
to ensure that American citizens are able to take advantage of these 
positions. The fact is, half of the student graduating from American 
universities with doctorates in science, math and computer programming 
are foreign-born students. The lack of investment in educating 
Americans in these subject areas is a serious long-term problem that 
must be addressed. In the short-term, however, I believe a temporary 
increase in H1B admissions is warranted. I commend Chairman Smith for 
exploring the current situation so that a workforce shortage does not 
threaten our vibrant economy.

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