[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.
____________________