[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OCTOBER 3RD PROCLAIMED ``SCIENCE DAY''

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                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the important role science plays in our society. 
Today, October 3, has been proclaimed ``Science Day'' by Missouri 
Governor Matt Blunt along with various mayors throughout southern 
Missouri.
  ``Science Day'' is important because American innovation depends upon 
a strong foundation in the sciences. Statistics indicate the United 
States is falling behind other nations in science education. Japan, 
China, and South Korea produce more engineering graduates than the 
United States. Twenty years ago, the United States, Japan, and China 
each graduated a similar number of engineers. South Korea at the time 
graduated roughly half as many engineering graduates. By the year 2000, 
China increased engineering graduates by 161 percent, Japan effected a 
42 percent increase and South Korea increased graduates by more than 
140 percent. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. engineering graduates 
declined 20 percent. If this trend continues, by 2010 more than 90 
percent of all scientists and engineers in the world will live in Asia.
  Science and technology-related employers continue searching overseas 
to find qualified engineers and scientists because our Nation is simply 
not producing enough graduates in the engineering and science 
disciplines. ``Science Day'' aims to bring attention to this problem 
and encourage action among parents, teachers and community members.
  Science not only offers economic and advancement opportunity, it is 
also fun and exciting. Inside and outside the classroom, science offers 
an awe-inspiring window into the origins, workings and future of our 
physical world. By engaging students in this intriguing subject, 
parents and teachers foster exploration and enable them to reach their 
academic potential.
  I commend this effort to raise awareness of the importance of science 
educators. I want to thank the staff at KFVS News for their efforts in 
promoting the recognition of ``Science Day.'' By partnering with 
educators and community leaders, KFVS News has organized events and 
competitions designed to challenge students and emphasize the 
importance of science. On ``Science Day,'' I join Missouri's community 
leaders in challenging our Nation's parents, guardians, grandparents, 
and other family members to do a simple science experiment with their 
children, to honor science teachers in their community and to recognize 
scientific contributions and their important roles in the future of our 
country.

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