[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E546]]
  INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM ACT

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the National Science 
Foundation Scholars Program Act to support students who wish to be 
scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians.
  Although not every student in America needs to become a scientist, 
technician, engineer, or a mathematician, those who are headed that way 
need our support for what they contribute to the long term economic 
health of our nation. This merit-based financial support gives 
consideration to financial need and to the goal of supporting 
underrepresented groups as defined in the Equality in Science and 
Engineering Act.
  The United States needs to improve our technical and scientific 
workforce for the success of our nation in the unfolding global 
knowledge economy. Although we still educate many foreign students in 
our graduate science, technology, and engineering, and mathematics 
departments across the nation, we no longer keep these talented, well-
trained individuals here; they want to return to their home.
  We must create and retain our highly-skilled, well-trained scientific 
and technical work force here rather than be dependent on work abroad.
  Increases in tuition at colleges and universities in the United 
States have outpaced inflation for the past two decades. The increases 
are especially large at public 4-year colleges. The NSF Scholars 
program would serve as a real inducement to students who would augment 
our highly-skilled, highly technical work force.
  As we move to a global knowledge economy, Juan Enriquez gives us 
warning for the future of our nation: ``In a borderless world . . . 
those who do not educate . . . and keep their citizens . . . will lose 
most intellectual wars.''
  I hope we choose instead to educate our citizens and maintain our 
strength and competitiveness through the NSF Scholars Program Act.

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