[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2272, AMERICA COMPETES ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2272, the 
America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in 
Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) Act. We have recently 
learned that in the coming years, children in India and China may be 
better prepared for the jobs of the future than our own children here 
in the United States: Further, the 2005 National Academies report, 
``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'', emphasized the United States 
could lose its competitive edge without immediate action being taken. 
In response to these alarming reports, Congress has shifted focus to 
strengthening our science technology, engineering, and mathematics 
(STEM) fields.
  Today, H.R. 2272, legislation to ensure that the students, teachers, 
and workers will not be left behind as the world moves forward in new 
technology development and innovation, is being considered. The bill 
authorizes funding for programs to create more qualified teachers in 
science and math fields and to support scientific research and 
innovation through the National Science Foundation, the Department of 
Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  I believe our teachers are the cornerstone to leading future 
generations in STEM fields and I believe we must give them the proper 
resources to meet this goal. This legislation stands to create and 
equip thousands of new teachers and give current teachers the content 
and instructional skills they need in order to teach science and 
mathematics.
  The legislation authorizes a total of $22 billion over fiscal years 
2008-2010 for research, education, and other programs at the National 
Science Foundation; $2.65 billion for the research labs, the 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and other activities at the 
National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST); and $17 billion 
for programs at the Department of Energy.
  Mr. Speaker, we must set policies that ensure the United States will 
remain competitive in the future. I support this legislation and urge 
my colleagues to do the same.

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