[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9830-H9832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY AND SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS
OF NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 395) recognizing the importance of chemistry to
our everyday lives and supporting the goals and ideals of National
Chemistry Week.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 395
Whereas chemistry is at the core of every technology we
enjoy today;
Whereas the power of the chemical sciences is what they
create as a whole: an enabling infrastructure that delivers
the foods, fuels, medicines, and materials that are the
hallmarks of modern life;
Whereas the contributions of chemical scientists and
engineers are central to technological progress and the
health of many industries, including the chemical,
pharmaceutical, electronics, agriculture, automobile, and
aerospace sectors, and these contributions create new jobs,
boost economic growth, and improve our health and standard of
living;
Whereas the American Chemical Society, the world's largest
scientific society, founded National Chemistry Week in 1987
to educate the public about the role of chemistry in society
and to enhance students' appreciation of the chemical
sciences;
Whereas National Chemistry Week is a community-based public
awareness campaign conducted by more than 10,000 volunteers
in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico;
Whereas National Chemistry Week volunteers from United
States industry, government, secondary schools, and
institutions of higher education reach and educate millions
of children through hands-on science activities in local
schools, libraries, and museums;
Whereas the theme of National Chemistry Week in 2003,
``Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond!'', was chosen to honor the
100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's flight from
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; and
Whereas, in recognition of National Chemistry Week,
volunteers all across the United States will teach children
about air, the atmosphere, our solar system, and the
uniqueness of planet Earth during the week beginning October
19, 2003: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes that the important contributions of chemical
scientists and engineers to technological progress and the
health of many industries have created new jobs, boosted
economic growth, and improved the Nation's health and
standard of living;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry
Week, as founded by the American Chemical Society; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Chemistry Week with appropriate recognition,
ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the
importance of chemistry to our everyday lives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice
Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
General Leave
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 395.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased that we are considering this
resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry in our everyday
lives. This resolution supports the goals and the ideals of National
Chemistry Week, and it recognizes the important contributions of
chemical scientists and engineers to technological progress and the
health of many industries. In addition, it encourages the people of the
United States to observe National Chemistry Week, which this year is
October 19 through 25. As a graduate of the Georgia Institute of
Technology with a Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, I enthusiastically
support this effort.
The chemical sciences provide an enabling infrastructure that
delivers the foods, fuels, medicine and materials that are part of our
everyday lives. The contributions of chemical scientists and engineers
are central to the technological progress of many areas that affect our
everyday lives.
I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing National
Chemistry Week in 1987. During National Chemistry Week, volunteers from
across the United States will teach children about our air, the
atmosphere and the solar system. The theme in 2003, Earth's Atmosphere
and Beyond, was chosen to honor the 100 anniversary of Orville and
Wilbur Wright's flight from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
It is important to stimulate children's interest in the chemical
sciences so that they will consider careers in these fields and
potentially discover the innovations for our future.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and thus
recognize and support the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 395. This bipartisan
resolution was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt)
and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers). They are both Ph.D.
physicists who appreciate the importance of chemistry. I want to
congratulate them for bringing this resolution forward.
Chemistry and chemical engineering contributes to public health
through such things as new biomaterials, drug design and drug-delivery
technologies and gene therapy. These disciplines help develop new
structural and electronic materials and advance technologies that
improve energy utilization and transportation systems. In short,
chemistry and chemical engineering contribute in critical ways to the
economic strength, security and well-being of our Nation.
National Chemistry Week was started as an annual event in 1987 by the
American Chemical Society. It sponsors activities to make elementary
and secondary school children, and the public in general, more aware of
what chemistry is and its importance to their everyday lives.
National Chemistry Week activities are carried out by the local
sections of the American Chemical Society, which are found in all parts
of the Nation. They work with local industries, schools and museums to
design hands-on activities, provide chemical demonstrations and develop
exhibits. By these means, the local organizations provide opportunities
to stimulate the interests of young people in science and in pursuing
scientific careers. And the activities of the National Chemistry Week
help advance the important goal of increasing public understanding of
science generally.
For 2003, the theme of the National Chemistry Week is Earth's
Atmosphere and Beyond. This is very appropriate because it is in honor
of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight.
I congratulate the American Chemical Society for their efforts to
establish and sustain National Chemistry Week. I support this
resolution, and recognize the value of chemistry and the goals of
National Chemistry Week. I ask for its adoption by the House.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the leadership for bringing this
bill to the floor, recognizing the importance of chemistry in our
everyday lives, and supporting National Chemistry Week. The gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) has been very helpful as an original
cosponsor of this bill and helped move it forward. He and I do this as
the two physicists in Congress, with no suggestion of irony that we
physicists would be sponsoring National Chemistry Week.
Finally, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs.
[[Page H9831]]
Biggert) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) for
cosponsoring the bill and for their support, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) himself being a research-trained chemist.
Indeed, chemistry is not something that occurs just in the
laboratory, it is everywhere, and this resolution is intended to
emphasize that point, the importance of chemistry in our everyday
lives.
Today's scientists are working to understand global climate change
and to develop cleaner energy sources. Our cars have more computing
power than the Apollo spacecraft. In many ways, science permeates our
lives, and we certainly should do all we can to recognize that and see
that youngsters, as well as oldsters, integrate their understanding of
science in their lives.
Following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, major steps were taken in
the United States to improve the resources going into science. The goal
was to produce a superior technical workforce so that we would be
second to none in engineering and science. There was increased funding
for school laboratories, revision of math and science curricula and new
university scholarships for future scientists. Indeed, this initiative
produced a generation of scientists and engineers who have contributed
greatly to our economic and technical accomplishments and to the
quality of life of people around the world.
{time} 1500
I was a product of that revolution. Today, as a policy maker, I see
the shortcomings of our earlier revolution in science and mathematics
education.
Too often the push for improving public competence in science and
mathematics is justified on the grounds of economics, national
security, and an informed citizenry. There is no question that these
are vitally important reasons, but we should not forget the reason of
personal well-being. Understanding sciences like chemistry brings
order, harmony, and balance to our lives. They teach us that the world
is intelligible and not capricious. They give us the skills for
lifelong learning, for creating progress itself.
In setting up the science programs following the launch of Sputnik,
we focused on developing scientists and engineers and tend to have left
behind the other 80 or 90 percent of our society who should understand
science, should integrate it into their lives, even if they are not to
become professional scientists. That is why I am proud to see this
House recognizing in this legislation the importance of chemistry and
the goals and the ideals of National Chemistry Week.
I thank the Speaker for bringing this resolution to the floor. I
thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice
Johnson), for yielding me the time to speak.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, but I continue to
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further
speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present this resolution supporting the
ideals of National Chemistry Week. And I want to commend the co-
authors, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), the Ph.D. physicists, for bringing this
bill forward.
So this Member who has a bachelor of science, a meager bachelor of
science degree in chemistry, is humbled in their presence, but this is
a wonderful bill, and I am very, very supportive of it.
Mr. Speaker, I think I have got a little bit of time left, and I see
that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), of whom I just spoke,
the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, that Ph.D., one of those
Ph.D. physicists of which I just spoke, has just arrived.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy at this time to yield such time as he
may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
(Mr. EHLERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I am sorry but I am a bit late and out of
breath. My plane was an hour and a half late. I believe I ran all the
way from the airport.
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak on this resolution. We have
often heard the phrase ``better living through chemistry,'' and that is
very true. And I find it strange that today many people regard
chemistry as a danger because they worry about things such as
pesticides. In fact, I recall speaking to a person once who said that
she really did not dare to eat anything now unless it was natural
because of the chemicals. And I said, ``Well, do you like oranges?''
``Oh, yes, they are wonderful.'' she replied. I said, ``In spite of the
fact that they are filled with chemicals, chemicals such as vitamin
C?'' And I went on to name other chemical components.
Chemicals can be either good or bad. And they are certainly a part of
everyday life, but what I appreciate is the many good things that
chemistry has brought us. And I also appreciate the American Chemical
Society, which has established the National Chemistry Week which we are
celebrating here. This year the theme is Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond,
in an effort to honor the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur
Wright's flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
But there is so much more to chemistry activities that we do not
realize. What I appreciate about the American Chemical Society, also,
is their interest in education.
In my efforts to improve math and science education in this Nation, I
have worked very closely with the American Chemical Society over the
past few years. And they have been outstanding in their efforts to
assist in improving math and science education, and National Chemistry
Week is part of that.
I just received this morning an e-mail from Michelle DeWitt from
Michigan who is one of the organizers of the National Chemistry Week in
Michigan. And she talked a little bit about what they did last week.
Let me read portions of her letter. ``Our National Chemistry Week
event at Westshore Mall was a huge success. We had our largest amount
of volunteers ever, with nearly 100 people helping out, including
students from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community
College, Aquinas College, some local high school and younger students
with parents. This was very fortunate because we had the largest
turnout with about 3,000 people stopping by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
on Saturday, October 18th.
``We had six demonstrations by area chemists and about ten activity
tables, where area chemists and college students engaged in hands-on
activities with kids of all ages. There was a constant stream of
rockets shooting off. Some even hit the ceiling. Making slime is always
one of the kids' favorite activities.''
``We gave away about 1,300 balloons to kids. I heard one boy walking
into the mall with his dad saying, `Look, Dad, a party.' and I thought
it was great to have kids think of science as a party. The newspaper
reporter who spent most of the day with us commented on how much fun
everyone was having and said there were so many fun things going on it
was like a ten-ring circus.''
Then she goes on and talks about the volunteers and the great things
they did. Mr. Speaker, at this point I will insert the entire text of
the letter.
To: Laura G. Kolton, American Chemical Society
Our NCW event at Westshore Mall was a huge success. We had
our largest amount of volunteers ever with nearly a hundred
people helping out, including students from Grand Valley
State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas
College, some local high school and younger students with
parents. This was very fortunate because, due to advertising
in both the Grand Rapids Press and the Holland Sentinel, we
had the largest turn out with about 3000 people stopping by
between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday October 18th.
We had 6 demos by area chemists and about 10 activity
tables where area chemists and college students engaged in
hands-on activities with kids of all ages. There was a
constant stream of rockets (made with vinegar / baking soda /
film containers) shooting off. Some even hit the ceiling.
Making slime is always one of the kids favorite activities.
We also had a poster drawing contest. We will be sending our
winning posters in to the National ACS competition.
We gave away about 1300 balloons to kids. I heard one young
boy walking into the mall with his dad say ``Look Dad, a
party,'' and I thought it was great to have kids think of
science as a party. Even the Holland Sentinel reporter who
spent most of the day
[[Page H9832]]
with us commented on how much fund everyone was having, and
said there were so many fun things going on it was like a 10
ring circus.
We had two sixth grade volunteers (Debra Gorden and Shannon
Vandenberg) from Blandford school (which is a Grand Rapids
Public school for 6th grade students who have excelled in
elementary school.) These girls worked a booth giving away
tattoos, stickers, magnifying glasses and ChemMatters
Magazine, with the help of two chemistry students from GRCC
(Grand Rapids Community College). They loved working with the
college guys and were smiling all day. The college students
were very nice and inspired the young girls into an interest
in college and disproved the stereotype of the geeky chemist.
Through this National Chemistry Week thousands of children will learn
about the earth's atmosphere and the solar system through hands-on
events and demonstrations.
I commend the American Chemical Society for stimulating our
children's interest in the chemical sciences so that they will not only
be interested, but will consider careers in these fields and
potentially discover the innovations of the future.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution
recognizing the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
Today, I am pleased that we are considering this resolution
recognizing the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives. This
resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week. It
recognizes the important contributions of chemical scientists and
engineers to technological progress and the health of many industries.
In addition, it encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Chemistry Week, which, this year, is October 19-25.
The chemical sciences provide an enabling infrastructure that
delivers the foods, fuels, medicine, and materials that are part of our
everyday lives. The contributions of chemical scientists and engineers
are central to the technological progress and the health of many
industries.
I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing National
Chemistry Week in 1987. During National Chemistry Week, volunteers from
across the United States will teach children about air, the atmosphere
and the solar system. The theme in 2003, ``Earth's Atmosphere and
Beyond,'' was chosen to honor the 100th anniversary of Orville and
Wilbur Wright's flight from Kitty Hawk, NC. It is important to
stimulate children's interest in the chemical sciences so that they
will consider careers in these fields and potentially discover the
innovations of the future.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution recognizing the goals
and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for speakers but,
again, in conclusion, let me just say that I commend the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Holt) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for
bringing forward this resolution. And I urge all of my colleagues to
support its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schrock). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 395.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________