[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.
____________________