[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 89 (Wednesday, July 12, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H5848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  URGING MEMBERS' SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE SCIENCE AND MATH 
                          EDUCATION IN AMERICA

  (Mr. EHLERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, America is a wonderful country. I am very 
proud of the U.S.A. We are the best country in so many different ways. 
And I believe we should be the best in everything. We have the 
resources, the knowledge, and the energy to achieve it.
  Today I want to mention one thing in which we are not the best. In 
fact, we are letting our kids down. The majority of jobs available 
today in our economy are jobs in science, math, engineering, 
technology, and, of course, computers. Yet, our science and math 
education in this country is among the worst of the developed 
countries, as demonstrated by test after test. Ninety-three percent of 
Americans are aware of this and say that they want better math and 
science education.
  I happen to be a nuclear physicist. I have also worked in elementary 
school science education. Because of this, and because of my concern 
about education in this country, I have sponsored three bills which 
will improve math and science education in this country. I urge my 
colleagues to join me by cosponsoring these bipartisan bills; I 
guarantee they will help to improve math and science education in this 
country, and should make us the international leader in this category, 
just as we are in so many others.
  I urge Members' support of these bills. Join with me and Governor 
George Bush in advocating improvement of math and science education in 
this country.




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