[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 363) to 
     authorize appropriations for basic research and research 
     infrastructure in science and engineering, and for support of 
     graduate fellowships, and for other purposes:

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 362, the 
``10,000 Teachers, Ten Million Minds'' Science and Math Scholarship 
Act, and H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering 
Research Act.
  For the past century or more, the United States has been the 
undisputed leader of the global economy. The reasons for this success 
are many and diverse, but they are united by the principle of 
innovation that has guided our economy for decades. The United States 
is the birthplace of aviation and the automobile. We have led the 
information technology revolution and created the internet. The names 
of American pioneers are as familiar to us as those of our greatest 
Presidents: Henry Ford, Robert Oppenheimer, Bill Gates.
  But today, the supremacy of the United States in international 
innovation is at risk. In 2005, the National Academies convened a 
panel, known as the Augustine Commission, made up of some of the most 
distinguished national leaders in academia, industry and government. 
Their report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, was startling. It 
expressed serious concern that ``the scientific and technological 
building blocks critical to our economic leadership are eroding at a 
time when many other nations are gathering strength.'' In order to 
prevent this erosion and maintain the United States' place at the 
forefront of the global economy, the Commission proposed several 
concrete actions.
  The ``10,000 Teacher, Ten Million Minds'' Science and Math 
Scholarship Act is the direct result of the Augustine Commission's 
first recommendation. In 2000, more than 85 percent of students in 
grades 5-9 were taught physical science by a teacher lacking a major or 
certification in the physical sciences. In 1999, 68 percent of U.S. 8th 
grade students received instruction from a mathematics teacher who did 
not hold a degree or certification in mathematics. This legislation 
will create thousands of new math and science teachers, each with 
expertise in their specific area of teaching, and will create centers 
for improvement of undergraduate education in science and mathematics.
  The ``Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act'' 
derives from the Augustine Commission's second recommendation. This 
legislation will improve innovation efforts at the National Science 
Foundation. It will especially focus on outstanding researchers in the 
early stages of their careers. These are the researchers who are most 
likely to break existing paradigms and realize that singular 
achievement that will keep the United States at the cutting edge of 
global innovation.
  These bills are only the first step. In the weeks and months to come, 
the House will consider several bills that will encourage technological 
progress and innovation. I commend Speaker Pelosi for her initiative 
and commitment to the innovation agenda, and I urge passage of these 
bills.

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