[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK

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                               speech of

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2008

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise to salute the engineers, 
past, present, and future, of the United States of America. Engineers 
have shaped our history, from aiding the colonists to win our 
independence to designing our advanced, modern technologies. They 
impact our daily lives from the first ring of our alarm clocks in the 
morning to our late-night, online shopping.
  In my home State of Nebraska, engineers aid agriculture with new and 
more effective agricultural chemicals and better equipment and 
technologies. Nebraska engineers help secure our Nation's energy 
independence by supporting the ethanol industry. Nebraska engineers 
ensure our roads, bridges, water-works, and other infrastructure are 
well designed, functional, and safe.
  Engineers are key to a prosperous and productive future for all 
Nebraskans and Americans. There are nearly 150 engineering companies in 
Nebraska's Third District. Every day I hear about the need to attract 
talented, educated young people to fill technical, engineering, and 
science positions in small communities and rural areas in the Third 
District. I have been, and continue to be, an enthusiastic supporter of 
the America COMPETES act which encourages American competitiveness in 
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. I 
am optimistic this initiative will help Nebraska's engineering 
businesses attract and maintain native talent in engineering.




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