[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. 
Res. 117, to ``support the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, 
and for other purposes.''
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 117 recognizes the need to support the goals and 
ideals of National Engineers Week and its aims to increase 
understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and 
to promote literacy in math and science; and will work with the 
engineering community to make sure that the creativity and contribution 
of that community can be expressed through research, development, 
standardization, and innovation.
  New discoveries and technologies are changing the way Americans live 
and work. Through dedicated research and development, engineers expand 
our knowledge and lay the foundation for the progress of our country. 
This week is an opportunity to recognize engineers for their many 
contributions to our way of life and to encourage young people to 
pursue their curiosity by studying math and science.
  Engineering education began in America under circumstances that 
differ substantially from those of the other leading professions. 
Medical schools, for example, were established by individual 
physicians, and then loosely affiliated with universities.
  By contrast, engineers were first trained by apprenticeship, 
particularly on canal construction projects. This tradition was 
perpetuated on railroad construction projects, and later in factories 
and machine shops, long after college engineering programs were 
established. Eventually, engineering schools in the United States were 
sponsored by the federal government (the U.S. Military Academy in 1802) 
and the land-grant colleges (beginning in 1862). They were also 
fostered by public-spirited citizens who fostered the Rensselaer 
Polytechnic Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
and from within established universities in response to interest or 
demand.
  The engineering workforce is the driver of society's technological 
engine, an awesome responsibility. We will not be able to address this 
responsibility without diversifying the pool of science and engineering 
talent. This broadening of participation must come from The Land of 
Plenty, our mostly untapped potential of underrepresented minorities 
and women--America's ``competitive edge'' for the 21st century.
  We know that more than any other species, humans are configured to be 
the most flexible learners. Humans are intentional learners, proactive 
in acquiring knowledge and skills. And, it turns out that we are more 
successful learners if we are mindful or cognizant of ourselves as 
learners and thinkers.
  The revolution in information technologies connected and integrated 
researchers and research fields in a way never before possible. The 
nation's IT capability has acted like `adrenaline' to all of science 
and engineering. A next step is to build the most advanced computer-
communications infrastructure for researchers to use, while 
simultaneously broadening its accessibility.
  The great state of Texas boasts excellent schools that produce many 
of the nation's outstanding engineers. Texas Tech University's Whitacre 
College of Engineering is an internationally recognized research 
institution ranked among the best in the country. The Dwight Look 
College of Engineering at Texas A&M University is one of the largest 
engineering colleges in the nation, with nearly 9,000 students and 12 
departments. Texas A&M University ranks among the top five producers in 
the country for undergraduate engineering degrees. Prairie View A&M 
University's College of Engineering has a rich and well established 
legacy of producing some of the most outstanding engineers, computer 
scientists and technologists in the nation.
  To date, our knowledge of the ``science of learning,'' is just the 
tip of the iceberg of what we have yet to learn. Our ultimate goal is 
truly not to waste a single child and to teach and train a workforce 
that is well prepared and can adapt and change.
  I thank my colleague, Rep. Daniel Lipinski, of Illinois, for 
introducing this important resolution, to ensure that we continue to 
cultivate the understanding of and interest in engineering and 
technology careers that will be quite beneficial to society. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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