[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MESA

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                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mathematics, 
Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) of the University of California 
for being selected as one of the five most innovative public programs 
in the country by Innovations in American Government, a project of the 
John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Ford 
Foundation, and the Council for Excellence in Government.
  I have long supported MESA, which helps educationally disadvantaged 
students to excel in math and science. MESA encourages students to 
develop an academic path to college and attain baccalaureate degrees in 
math and science fields. Parents are encouraged to become involved and 
learn that college can be a reality for their children. In addition, 
MESA brings in industry representatives in science fields to introduce 
the students to science-based career options.
  Eighty-five percent of MESA's graduating high school seniors go on to 
college, compared to only fifty percent of California's graduating high 
school seniors overall. Seven other states have established programs 
based on California's MESA model. Today, more than twelve percent of 
the nation's historically underrepresented students who attain 
baccalaureate degrees in engineering are MESA students.
  The Innovations in American Government program identifies outstanding 
problem-solving and creativity in public sector programs. This year 
1,200 programs were nominated for the award. These programs underwent 
an extremely rigorous assessment process before Innovations determined 
its winners.
  I applaud MESA on its accomplishments and wish the program continued 
success in helping California students succeed.

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