[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2209-H2211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN MATH AND SCIENCE 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2004

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4030) to establish the Congressional Medal for 
Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program to 
recognize private entities for their outstanding contributions to 
elementary and secondary science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics education, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4030

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Medal for 
     Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act 
     of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the National Science Foundation.
       (2) Elementary school and secondary school.--The terms 
     ``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the 
     meaning given those terms in section 9101 of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

       The Director shall establish a Congressional Medal for 
     Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education 
     program, which shall be designed to--
       (1) recognize private entities for outstanding efforts 
     supporting elementary and secondary schools in improving 
     student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics;
       (2) encourage private entities to support elementary and 
     secondary schools to improve and underscore the importance of 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; 
     and
       (3) make information about medal recipients available to 
     schools, institutions of higher education, educators, 
     parents, administrators, policymakers, researchers, public 
     and private entities, and the general public.

     SEC. 4. MEDALS.

       (a) Finalists.--Beginning not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall annually 
     name as finalists for medals under this Act--
       (1) not more than 20 private entities with more than 500 
     employees; and
       (2) not more than 20 private entities with 500 or fewer 
     employees.

     Each finalist shall receive a citation describing the basis 
     for the entity achieving status as a finalist.
       (b) Medal Winners.--Beginning not later than 2 years after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, from among finalists named 
     under subsection (a), the Director shall annually award 
     medals under this Act to--
       (1) not more than 5 private entities with more than 500 
     employees; and
       (2) not more than 5 private entities with 500 or fewer 
     employees.
       (c) Distribution of Information.--(1) The Director shall 
     distribute information about the Congressional Medal for 
     Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education 
     recipients in a timely and efficient manner (including 
     through the use of a searchable online database) to schools, 
     institutions of higher education, educators, parents, 
     administrators, policymakers, researchers, public and private 
     entities, and the general public.
       (2) Any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal under 
     this section may use such information for advertising and 
     other publicity purposes.

     SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY.

       Eligibility to receive medals under section 4 of this Act 
     shall be limited to private entities that--
       (1) have, whether working alone or in partnership with for-
     profit or nonprofit entities, assisted students, teachers, 
     administrators, or other support staff to improve student 
     achievement in science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics in a school or community; and
       (2) have been involved in such activities in a sustained 
     manner for at least 2 years with at least one elementary or 
     secondary school.

     SEC. 6. APPLICATION.

       The Director shall establish a system for accepting 
     applications from entities seeking to be considered for a 
     medal under this Act. Applications shall include at least two 
     letters of support, which may come from teachers, 
     professional support staff, administrators, professional or 
     business organizations, local, county, or State Departments 
     of Education, or any other category of persons as designated 
     by the Director. Letters of support shall describe the 
     reasons the entity deserves the medal.

     SEC. 7. SELECTION.

       In selecting entities to receive medals under this Act, the 
     Director shall give priority consideration to evidence of 
     improved achievement in science, technology, engineering, or 
     mathematics by students, including improved achievement by 
     individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and 
     Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
     1885b). In addition to any other criteria the Director may 
     establish, the Director shall also consider the following:
       (1) Evidence of innovative approaches to increase interest 
     in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by 
     students, including individuals identified in section 33 or 
     34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b). One measure of such evidence may be 
     an increase in the number of students enrolled in advanced 
     courses related to such fields.
       (2) Evidence of employee interaction with students or 
     teachers to support and improve science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics learning.
       (3) Evidence of success in positively influencing student 
     attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
       (4) Evidence of successful outreach to students, parents, 
     and the community regarding the importance of science, 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics education to the 
     Nation's prosperity, job creation, and standard of living, as 
     well as future earning potential for the individual.
       (5) Evidence of a strong and sustained commitment to the 
     students and schools.

     SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.

       Section 37(a) of the Science and Engineering Equal 
     Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d(a)) is amended by striking 
     ``By January 30, 1982, and biennially thereafter'' and 
     inserting ``By January 30 of each odd-numbered year''.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
     Foundation such sums as may be necessary for carrying out 
     this Act, to be derived from amounts authorized by the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice 
Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  First, I would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member 
and certainly the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) 
for her help in moving ahead, trying to get more involvement from the 
business community in helping with K-through-12 education, especially 
in the areas of math and science.
  This legislation establishes a national recognition program at the 
National Science Foundation to honor those in the private sector who 
work with K-through-12 schools to improve science and math education. 
In addition, the bill makes information about award winners publicly 
available so that the examples that they are using across the country 
that are effective, that are making a difference in our math and 
science performance can be considered by other school systems around 
the Nation.
  The way to maintain and increase our standard of living certainly is 
through innovation, technological advances and hard work. 
Unfortunately, our schools, Mr. Speaker, are currently not producing 
enough young people with the math and science interest or the skills 
necessary to meet the emerging demand. We need to do a better job of 
encouraging student interest and achievements in fields like science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics so that today's students will 
not only be successful in their own lives, but will contribute to the 
economy that we are going to need in future years.
  The challenge of competition for our kids and our grandkids are going 
to be probably so much greater than they are for us today, and having 
the kind of technology that can result in new innovation, the kind of 
research that can develop new products and the ways to produce those 
products at a cost and a quality level that is competitive with 
products that are produced across the world is going to be much more 
important for our kids and grandkids than maybe it was for us.
  In this legislation we recognize the industry leaders and companies 
and businesses that make a special outstanding effort in working with 
their schools. We included in the legislation work that these companies 
might do to encourage parents to be more involved with their students 
and schools because we think the interest and encouragement of parents 
is probably just as important as the quality of teachers that we have 
in math and science.

[[Page H2210]]

  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, as an original cosponsor of this legislation, I speak in 
support of its favorable consideration by the House today. The 
Subcommittee on Research has a long history of support for efforts to 
improve K-through-12 math and science education. This bill will help to 
mobilize greater efforts by the private sector in helping our schools 
to achieve the goal of higher achievement in math and science by all 
students.

                              {time}  1045

  I would like to commend the Subcommittee on Research and the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) for originating the concept for 
this bill and working with me in a collegial way in developing the 
final product. In particular, I appreciate the gentleman's willingness 
to include language I propose to encourage math and science education 
in under-represented groups. My language simply emphasizes the 
importance of recognizing private sector activities that increase the 
participation and improve the achievements of women and minorities in 
math and science.
  This provision is consistent with this committee's long interest in 
attracting the interest of, and preparing, all segments of the 
population in math and science.
  This is necessary if the Nation is to satisfy its demands for the 
science and technology workforce of the future, because the proportion 
of minorities in the college-aged population is growing. And it helps 
to ensure that all citizens will achieve a level of technological 
literacy needed to function in the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to use this opportunity to thank the chair of the 
Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), and 
the ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), for 
moving this bill expeditiously to the floor. I am pleased to recommend 
the bill to my colleagues and seek their favorable support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. 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.R. 4030, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass). Is there objection to the request 
of the gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 4030, the 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
Education. This bill recognizes the outstanding contributions of the 
private sector in math and science education.
  The private sector has created many good programs to inspire and 
educate the next generations of scientists. Establishing a 
Congressional Medal will identify, honor, and disseminate these 
excellent educational programs.
  Science and math education as well as technical training are 
important and have enormous and pressing need. Science and technology 
underpin our economic strength and national security. Innovation and 
productivity gains cannot be sustained without a scientifically 
literate workforce.
  Here is a very important point: Jobs of the future will require an 
understanding of the basic concepts and principles of science and 
mathematics. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that 10 of the 
fastest growing industries and occupations from 2002 to 2012 will be in 
the high-technology fields. All workers from office assistants to 
rocket scientists will need a fundamental understanding of math, 
science, and engineering as well as technical know-how to succeed.
  I cannot overemphasize the importance of this because the kids who 
are in schools today will need that education to have good-quality jobs 
in the future. Unfortunately, currently a full third of U.S. students 
perform below basic levels in science and math on assessment tests. At 
the advanced level, only two out of every 100 high school graduates 
will obtain an engineering or advanced degree, while the numbers are 
even more dismal for women and minorities who choose to go on in math 
and science.
  There is no quick fix for these problems. Government and the private 
sector must work with the education and scientific communities to 
educate and inspire our children and prepare them to compete in the 
global knowledge-based economy.
  It is very important to recognize that nations such as India and 
China have deliberately improved their math and science education and 
are producing far more scientists and engineers today than they did 
previously. And while their enrollments and graduation rates are 
increasing, our graduation rates for engineers have decreased steadily 
for the past 20 years.
  H.R. 4030 recognizes businesses' achievements in improving math and 
science education and provides incentive for future participation. I 
applaud the efforts of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) and the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for developing the 
bill and the leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) 
and the ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), in 
moving the bill through committee. I strongly encourage my colleagues 
to support H.R. 4030.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the 
ranking member.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 4030, the 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Science and Math 
Education Act of 2004. I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Smith) of the Subcommittee on Research and the ranking member, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), for their work in 
developing H.R. 4030. I also want to thank the Committee on Science 
chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), for working with 
the minority to perfect the bill and for helping to move the measure 
through the committee and to the floor.
  The Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act seeks to recognize the efforts of companies and 
nonprofit organizations that have worked with our schools to help 
improve student performance in math and science. Many good corporate 
citizens have already stepped up to the plate and have established a 
long record of contributions to achieving this important goal. I hope 
this bill will encourage others to contribute such sustained efforts to 
education improvements.
  Providing more efficient math and science education for all students 
is a task that will require the attention and efforts of both the 
public and private sectors. Nothing less than success is acceptable 
because the future economic strength and security of our Nation is at 
stake.
  Good jobs are created by technological innovation. I believe this 
bill will help draw attention to innovation and successful education 
improvement efforts now under way and, equally important, will provide 
for sharing of information about these best practices.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend this legislation to my colleagues and urge 
their support for the passage in the House.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the ranking member makes a good point, and maybe it is 
an opportune time to explain some of what goes into developing 
legislation. A lot of work from staff, Democrat staff and Republican 
staff on our committee. Kara Haas, certainly David Finger, spent many 
hours, sending out inquiries to the business community around the 
United States for their suggestions on how this award program should 
evolve and develop to really accomplish our goals of encouraging the 
business community to be more active and take a greater part in 
improving math and science education.
  I would like to tell a very short story in trying to improve math and 
science education. I was talking to an individual who is the director 
of international studies at one of our Michigan

[[Page H2211]]

colleges. I asked him his ideas. He is from India. He grew up in India. 
He told me the story when he came home in about the 8th grade with a 
report card that showed a B in math, and he showed that to his father 
and tears welled up in his dad's eyes. And his dad went out and hired a 
tutor to try to improve his son's math skills. He suggested that almost 
all students in India concentrate on being successful in fundamental 
math and science before they continue their career maybe in some other 
field.
  That lesson should be especially acknowledged by us today when we are 
doing a lot of outsourcing of math and science to engineers in other 
countries such as India. We need to do a better job at home. Parents 
need to do a better job.
  Often when I ask witnesses before our committee how do we motivate 
and excite students in math and science. To the extent that education 
in kindergarten through twelfth grade is more like a lighting of a 
fire, lighting that interest and enthusiasm, rather than simply filling 
a container with information, when is that fire lit for these students. 
Their suggestion was maybe at home when they are 3 and 4 and 5 years 
old, maybe in kindergarten, first and second grade. So if we lose that 
individual with their interest in math and science at that stage of 
their lives, it is hard to rekindle that fire.
  Improving math and science education is important for the sake of 
business and industry because they have a special economic interest in 
having enough qualified students in math and sciences to make sure they 
are going to be able to stay in this country and compete.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4030, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________