[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 26, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H2488-H2489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H2488]]
 RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE UNITED 
                      STATES SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 96) recognizing the 
significance of African American women in the United States scientific 
community, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 96

       Whereas African American women, once considered 
     nontraditional participants in the United States scientific 
     community, have become an indispensable part of the new 
     technology society;
       Whereas although women comprise approximately 25 percent of 
     the 427,740 individuals employed in the United States 
     workforce who hold a science and engineering doctoral degree, 
     African American women comprise less than one percent of such 
     individuals;
       Whereas a skilled workforce is the essential fuel to propel 
     the United States economy and ensure a high quality of life, 
     and it is absolutely critical to the success of the economy 
     to produce a scientifically literate workforce;
       Whereas for these reasons, it is crucial for the United 
     States to continue to aggressively recruit more minority and 
     women students into careers in science and technology;
       Whereas to improve the numbers of African American youth 
     pursuing science, especially young women, it is crucial to 
     provide strong scientific minds for them to look up to and 
     emulate;
       Whereas very little literature documents African American 
     women and their place in science;
       Whereas commemorating the achievements of African American 
     women at the very top of the performance curve demonstrates 
     to the world the importance of diversity in the workforce; 
     and
       Whereas Dr. Ruth Ella Moore (who in 1933 became the first 
     African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in natural science 
     from the Ohio State University), Dr. Roger Arliner Young (who 
     in 1940 became the first African American woman to receive a 
     Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Pennsylvania), Dr. 
     Euphemia Lofton Haynes (who in 1943 became the first African 
     American woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the 
     Catholic University of America), Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (who 
     in 1973 became the first African American woman to receive a 
     Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of 
     Technology), and Dr. Mae Jemison (a physician and the first 
     African American woman in space) represent only a few of the 
     African American women who have broken through many barriers 
     to achieve greatness in science: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress acknowledges and recognizes the 
     significant achievements and contributions of African 
     American women scientists, mathematicians, and inventors and 
     supports the establishment of a special day on which these 
     great minds may be honored and esteemed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie 
Bernice Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. BIGGERT. 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. Con. Res. 96, as amended, 
the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 96, a 
resolution to recognize the significant contributions of African 
American women to the U.S. scientific community.
  In recent history, it has become almost ordinary for talented 
individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue educational 
opportunities in fields that were previously considered all white male 
domains. Yet today's women and minorities could never have succeeded in 
the once nontraditional fields of science, engineering, and mathematics 
had it not been for the courage of their predecessors.
  For today's young women, it is difficult to appreciate how 
exceptional it was for African American women in particular to pursue a 
career in science. For those born in the early 20th century, they were 
told that they did not belong; and they felt lucky if they found work 
as research assistants to, or unpaid volunteers for, male scientists.
  Yet the grit and perseverance of women like Ruth Ella Moore, the 
first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in natural science from 
Ohio State University, as well as civil rights legislation and the 
women's movement, help to overcome these obstacles. They also helped 
pave the way for the successes of women like Shirley Ann Jackson, the 
first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. from MIT, and Mae 
Jemison, the first African American woman in space as a crew member of 
the shuttle Endeavor.
  Today, African American women scientists hold positions at all levels 
of universities, government laboratories, and industry. They chair 
departments and scientific societies; and they serve on peer review 
committees, something that was unthinkable just 25 years ago.
  The women we are honoring in House Concurrent Resolution 96 are more 
than pioneers. They are role models for a new generation of women who 
are just beginning to think about their life's work and future 
ambitions and explore their many opportunities. Yet, despite these 
successes, women and minorities are still under-represented in 
undergraduate and graduate science and engineering education.
  As national demographics shift, we simply cannot rely only on our 
traditional science, mathematics, engineering and technology workforce, 
which is overwhelmingly white and male, and retiring. If the U.S. is to 
remain innovative and competitive, we must nurture, prepare, and engage 
young women and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics today.
  That is what this resolution is all about. By underscoring the 
importance of diversity and recognizing the significant scientific 
achievements of African American women, I hope we can inspire more 
young women, and men, to follow in the footsteps of those who pursued 
science with such passion and enthusiasm.
  In conclusion, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie 
Bernice Johnson) for her leadership on this very important issue. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  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.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and 
the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) for their bipartisan support 
of this resolution and in our Committee on Science markup last month 
during Women's Month. I also want to commend the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for her willingness to help us move this bill 
forward here today.
  As this Nation faces a shortage of qualified scientists, it is 
appropriate that we discuss the significant contributions that African 
American women have made to the scientific community. Most people that 
know me know that this has been a passion of mine for many years.
  In the past, most of the U.S. scientists and engineers were white 
males. According to Census Bureau projections, this segment of the 
workforce population will decline from 37 percent in 1995 to 26 percent 
in 2050. Looking at these numbers, it is obvious that this group will 
not provide the needed scientists and engineers, particularly since 
participation rates in these fields are also declining.
  Clearly, it will be necessary to attract greater numbers of women and 
minorities to careers in science and engineering in order to avoid 
devastating consequences for the future. Efforts to increase the 
presence of Americans in science are incomplete unless they have a 
women's component. Some progress has been made, but much remains to be 
accomplished. Women make up half the population, but only 24 percent of 
the science and engineering workforce. African Americans, Hispanics, 
and Native Americans as a group constitute 24 percent of the U.S. 
population, but only 7 percent of the total science and technology 
workforce.
  African American women have an especially difficult time bridging the 
technology divide when it comes to their representation in the science 
fields. While women make up about 25 percent of the 427,740 employed 
science and engineering doctorate holders in the United States 
workforce, African American women comprise less than 1

[[Page H2489]]

percent employed as science and engineering doctorate holders. Many 
African American women who pursue science education experience 
isolation both in their graduate departments and in their communities.
  So who are their mentors? One of the first pioneers was Dr. Ruth Ella 
Moore, the first African American woman to receive a doctoral degree in 
natural science in 1933. Dr. Moore graduated in 1933 from Ohio State 
University with a doctorate degree in bacteriology and was head of the 
department of bacteriology at Howard University's Medical School from 
1947 to 1958.
  In the field of space exploration, while most are familiar with Dr. 
Mae Jemison, few are aware that Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson was a 
key member of the control room during the Apollo 13 crisis. Katherine 
Johnson, a physicist, space scientist and mathematician, was 
instrumental in formulating calculations that helped the Apollo 13 
return home safely in 1970 after a fuel tank explosion and computer 
system failure. That was detailed in Tom Hanks's film, ``Apollo 13.''
  Unfortunately, many young African Americans are unfamiliar with these 
facts. Very little literature documents African American women and 
their place in science. To increase the number of African American 
youth pursuing science, especially young women, it is critical that we 
provide them strong science role models for them to admire and emulate.
  In addition, commemorating the achievements of African American women 
at the very top of the performance curve demonstrates to the world the 
importance of diversity in the workforce, especially in the scientific 
community.
  That is why I ask my colleagues to join me today by honoring our 
great African American women pioneers who helped pave the way for 
current science stars, like Dr. Mae Jemison and Dr. Shirley Ann 
Jackson.
  As a medical doctor and the first African American woman in space, 
Dr. Jemison continues to inspire young people in the science field with 
her program, The Earth We Share International Camp, called TEWS, T-E-W-
S, which is an acronym. It is designed to promote science literacy for 
all students.
  Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson was not only the first African American to 
receive a Ph.D. in physics from MIT but was also the first African 
American woman to receive a doctorate in any field from that school.
  This resolution recognizes their achievements in science and 
technology and encourages a new generation of young women to continue 
in their legacies.
  Again, I wish to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman 
Boehlert) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Ranking Member Gordon) for 
working with me in a collegial manner, as we always do on the Committee 
on Science, and for allowing quick passage of the resolution and speedy 
action to the floor.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Con. Res. 96. This 
resolution represents our most needed commitment to supporting the 
continued progress of women and minorities and, in particular, African 
American women in the sciences. Full participation by all of our 
diverse population in an endeavor this important will be our key to 
future success as a world leader in science and technology.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to again congratulate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice 
Johnson), and I urge all my colleagues to vote for this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Forbes). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
96, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________