[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H596-H598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK

  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 681) supporting the goals 
and ideals of National Engineers Week, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 681

       Whereas engineers use their scientific and technical 
     knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways to 
     fulfill society's needs;
       Whereas in just this past year, engineers have helped meet 
     the major technological challenges of our time--from 
     rebuilding towns devastated by natural disasters to designing 
     an information superhighway that will speed our country into 
     the next century;
       Whereas engineers are a crucial link in research, 
     development, and demonstration and in transforming scientific 
     discoveries into useful products, and we will look more than 
     ever to engineers and their knowledge and skills to meet the 
     challenges of the future;
       Whereas engineers play a crucial role in developing the 
     consensus engineering standards that permit modern economies 
     and societies to exist;
       Whereas the recent National Academy of Sciences report 
     entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' highlighted the 
     worrisome trend that fewer students are now focusing on 
     engineering in college at a time when increasing numbers of 
     today's 2,000,000 United States engineers are nearing 
     retirement;
       Whereas the National Society of Professional Engineers 
     through National Engineers Week and other activities is 
     raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions 
     to our quality of life;
       Whereas National Engineering Week activities at engineering 
     schools and in other forums are encouraging our young math 
     and science students to see themselves as possible future 
     engineers and to realize the practical power of their 
     knowledge;
       Whereas National Engineers Week has grown into a formal 
     coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and 
     cultural societies, and more than 50 major corporations and 
     government agencies;
       Whereas National Engineers Week is celebrated during the 
     week of George Washington's birthday to honor the 
     contributions that our first President, a military engineer 
     and land surveyor, made to engineering; and
       Whereas February 19 to 25, 2006, has been designated by the 
     President as National Engineers Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) will work with the engineering community to make sure 
     that the creativity and contribution of that community can be 
     expressed through research, development, standardization, and 
     innovation; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers 
     Week and its aims to increase understanding of and interest 
     in engineering and technology careers and to promote literacy 
     in math and science.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Inglis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Lipinski) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam 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. 681, 
the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield to myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 681, a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week.
  In 1951, the National Society of Professional Engineers established 
National Engineers Week. The purpose of the week is to increase 
understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and 
to promote K-12 literacy in math and science. It also showcases the 
contributions that engineers have made to our society. Cochairs of the 
2006 week are the Society of Women Engineers and Northrop Grumman 
Corporation.
  Historically, Engineers Week is celebrated during the week of George 
Washington's actual birthday, February 22, as he steered our new Nation 
toward technical advancements, invention and education. His many 
credits include an order given at Valley Forge for more engineers and 
engineering education, an order which led to the creation of the U.S. 
Army Engineers School.
  There is no doubt that we have worked very hard and come a long way

[[Page H597]]

since the days of President Washington to become the world's leader in 
innovation, and there is no doubt that engineers have been there every 
step of the way. From landing a man on the Moon to providing new colors 
in our children's crayon boxes, engineers play a role in nearly every 
facet of our lives.
  I applaud the National Society of Professional Engineers for having 
this week to raise public awareness of the role engineers have to play 
in American prosperity. If we are to remain competitive and a world 
leader, however, it is not only important, but imperative, that we 
continue to attract young people to this profession. It is imperative 
that we provide them with the education and tools necessary to excel in 
this demanding and rewarding profession. It is also imperative that we 
see that the teachers have not just the knowledge but also the 
enthusiasm to inspire and stimulate students to excel in math and 
science.
  It is my pleasure to join with my colleague from Illinois (Mr. 
Lipinski) as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 681, and I urge my 
colleagues to support its adoption.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 681, supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. Engineers have helped make 
our country great, from their service in the American Revolution to 
developing key modern industries such as aerospace and energy. I would 
like to honor and recognize the more than 2 million engineers in the 
United States and the contributions that they have made to our country.
  Engineers combine imagination and creativity with math and science 
training to solve problems. Engineers in the past have helped us to 
build boats to cross the seas, railroads to take us West, and the 
Internet to communicate with the world. Today, we need the innovative 
capabilities of engineers to confront the new challenges before us. 
Engineers will help America develop energy independence, find solutions 
to confront global climate change, and make our Nation more secure.
  But there is a growing concern that America is falling behind other 
countries when it comes to engineering. U.S. students continue to score 
below international averages on math and science tests. In 2004, China 
graduated more than six times the number of engineers that graduated in 
the United States. The National Academy of Sciences recently released a 
report entitled, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' which raised 
questions about America's future technological competitiveness. This 
report, echoed by President Bush in his State of the Union address, 
emphasized the need for government to take a number of actions, 
including addressing the potential shortage of engineers. We must act 
quickly to take up this challenge. We cannot afford to let our future 
falter, and that future requires that we continue to lead the world in 
technological innovation. This innovation is supplied by engineers.
  National Engineers Week seeks to raise public awareness about 
engineers' contributions to our society and our quality of life and has 
inspired future engineers for more than 50 years. Founded by the 
National Society of Professional Engineers, and including more than 100 
society, government, and business sponsors and affiliates, including 
Boeing, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American 
Society of Civil Engineers, National Engineers Week draws upon local 
and regional experts to promote high levels of math, science and 
technology literacy. Annually, it reaches thousands of parents, 
teachers and students in communities across the country. From national 
and regional engineering competitions, such as the Future City 
Competition, to events such as Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, 
this week helps inspire the next generation of engineers and 
scientists.
  The Future City Competition is a great example of how National 
Engineers Week has touched students across the country. The competition 
encourages seventh and eighth grade students to use problem-solving 
skills, teamwork, research and presentation skills, practical math and 
science applications, and computer skills to present their vision of a 
city of the future.
  The team from St. Barnabas Catholic School in Chicago recently won 
first place in the regional competition. This team included several 
students who come from my district. These students then went on to the 
national competition. At the national competition, they also won an 
award for their work in aerospace engineering.
  These students had a great opportunity to learn more about the many 
factors that go into building a city. They then applied this knowledge 
to a real problem. Working with teachers and mentor engineers, they 
solved problems ranging from energy supply to waste removal to 
transportation needs. These students are the ones we will rely on in 
coming years to help us address these challenges in the real world.
  If we are going to produce more American engineers, one step that we 
need to do is to improve our STEM education, that is, science, 
technology, engineering and math education, but we must also do more to 
inspire our children to become interested in engineering.
  When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, I was fascinated by the way 
things worked, as most kids are. I had a physics teacher in high school 
at St. Ignatius. His name was Father Fergus. He took this fascination 
that I had and got me interested in engineering, just as I hope that 
the events of National Engineers Week will do for more children.
  I went on to earn a bachelor's of science degree in mechanical 
engineering at Northwestern and a master's degree in engineering-
economic systems from Stanford University. I am one of only nine 
Members of this body who has an engineering degree, but people come up 
to me often and ask me how does the training as an engineer help you. 
Certainly it helps in understanding science and technology issues, math 
and science education, and transportation and manufacturing issues.
  But engineering is more than that. Simply put, engineering is problem 
solving. Training as an engineer teaches you how to analyze a problem 
and how to put the steps together to solve that problem, no matter what 
the problem may be. It helps teach the type of analytical and 
innovative thinking that has made America a world leader 
technologically, militarily and economically. We must do everything we 
can to encourage and inspire future engineers so that America continues 
to be a leader in this increasingly competitive world.
  Finally, I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Inglis) for his involvement with the National Engineers Week 
resolution. I would especially like to thank the engineers who have 
contributed so much to America, to honor them for their commitment to 
their continuing work for the betterment of our society.
  I ask my colleagues to pass H. Res. 681 in deserved recognition.

                              {time}  1600

  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume just to close, and note that my distinguished 
colleague from Illinois referenced his engineering education. You 
notice he stopped short of talking about his Ph.D. in political 
science. That is where he went to the dark side. He could have fallen 
into the law after that, even worse. But he came to Congress instead, 
so we are happy to have him here and happy to have the expertise he 
offers.
  As one of those political scientist undergrads myself, I would point 
out there are some national security implications to what we are 
describing here. The United States graduates in order of magnitude 
something like 60,000 engineers a year. China graduates perhaps north 
of 200,000. India as well north of 200,000 engineers a year. That has 
implications for us as a society.
  Also, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that in the future new 
jobs will require math and science training and technical ability four 
times more often than other jobs. In other words, there is a growing 
need, as Mr. Lipinski was saying, for people trained in science and 
math and engineering, in

[[Page H598]]

spite of the fact that out of 100 high school students only two of 
those students will typically go on to ever get a degree in engineering 
or science. That is of concern.
  And that is why I join with the gentleman from Illinois in urging my 
colleagues to adopt this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Engineers Week.
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 681, a resolution recognizing the importance of engineers and 
supporting National Engineers Week.
  From the grandest of skyscrapers to microchips and the smallest of 
medical devices, engineers continue to design and construct products 
that are vital to our daily lives and our Nation's economy. 
Unfortunately, American students today are losing interest in 
engineering. The National Academy of Sciences report, ``Rising Above 
the Gathering Storm,'' notes that, ``after secondary school, fewer U.S. 
students pursue science and engineering degrees than is the case of 
students in other countries. About 6% of our undergraduates major in 
engineering; that percentage is the second lowest among developed 
countries.'' We need to get American students at all levels back into 
science and engineering classes. Our Nation's continued global and 
economic leadership depends on our ability to inspire the next 
generation of engineers.
  H. Res. 681 recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National 
Engineers Week as an important part of educating and building a 
competitive workforce for the 21st century. For example, National 
Engineers Week exposes students that might otherwise never dream of a 
career in a technical field to opportunities in engineering through 
programs such as the ``Future City Competition'' (a contest for middle 
school student teams to design a visionary city) and the ``Global 
Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering'' (a 24-hour long 
series of presentations intended to attract young women into the 
engineering workforce). During this week, students and professionals at 
all levels will be motivated to explore the vast opportunities open to 
them in the field of engineering.
  In conclusion, I would like to thank the National Society for 
Professional Engineers for its ongoing efforts to educate children and 
adults about the importance of engineering. I would also like to thank 
Congressman Inglis and Congressman Lipinski for their leadership on 
this important issue. I ask that you join me in recognizing the 
importance of engineering in our daily lives and the positive impact of 
National Engineers Week by voting in favor of H. Res. 681.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to 
express my strong support of H. Res. 681, supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Engineers Week.
  Engineers put ideas into motion. They must possess the creativity and 
analytical skills to innovate.
  Texas is our Nation's energy State. Its roots are in big oil and big 
skies.
  These days, much of the wealth generated by Texas oil is being put to 
good use to ``fuel'' the technology economy. Engineers are a critical 
part of that effort.
  Our State is investing millions of dollars to develop cleaner-burning 
alternative fuels that are more efficient and better for the 
environment. Engineers, working behind the scenes, are involved at 
every stage.
  I am proud that my State is showing leadership at a time when this 
Nation desperately needs to invest more in research, particularly in 
energy research.
  Texas's tenacity and frontier spirit is strong, and I commend 
engineers in Texas and all over this Nation for the wonderful work they 
do.
  Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues on the House Science Committee in 
support of H. Res. 681 and National Engineers Week.
  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Inglis) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 681.
  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.

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