[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.

                          ____________________