[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res 793, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry 
Week.'' I support this resolution because success in science is of the 
utmost importance for the future of our youth and our nation.
  In order to keep America as a leader in science we need to focus on 
the success of our youth by emphasizing achievement in all academic 
endeavors. Letting our students fall behind those of the rest of the 
world is a mistake we cannot afford.
  Chemistry is a field of science and technology that has transformed 
the world and will vastly improve the quality of life around the globe. 
Chemical sciences create an infrastructure that delivers the foods, 
fuels, medicines, and materials that are the hallmark of modern life. 
Chemical scientists and engineers are essential to technological 
progress and to the health of many industries, including the chemical, 
pharmaceutical, electronics, agricultural, automotive, and aerospace 
industries. The contributions of chemists boost economic growth, create 
new jobs, and improve health and standards of living. My home district, 
Texas' 18th District and other parts of Houston are the hub for many of 
these industries, namely NASA, the Medical Center, and the Port of 
Houston.
  In order to foster the innovation that America needs to ensure global 
competitiveness, our schools must cultivate the finest scientists, 
engineers, and technicians from every background and neighborhood. We 
must strive to focus on increasing access to science, technology, 
engineering, and math education for Latinos, African-Americans, women, 
and other underrepresented students in these fields.
  National Chemistry Week was established in 1987 by the American 
Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, to enhance 
the publics' appreciation of the chemical sciences and also to educate 
the public. 2009 also marks the 140th anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev's 
creation of the Periodic Table of the Elements, one of the greatest 
achievements in scientific history. The theme of National Chemistry 
Week this year is, ``Chemistry--It's Elemental'', which was chosen to 
raise public awareness about the importance of chemistry and the 
chemical sciences by emphasizing that the elements, forming the basis 
of the universe, play an integral role in daily life. There are many 
common elements, such as copper in electrical wires, neon in lights, 
sodium in table salt, and aluminum in soda cans, that are tangibly 
present in everyday life.
  This year, it is anticipated that more than 10,000 volunteers from 
industry, government, and academia will observe National Chemistry Week 
during the week of October 18, 2009, by conducting hands-on science 
activities with millions of children in local schools, libraries, and 
museums. National Chemistry Week encourages volunteers to provide 
resources to science educators across the country, promote community 
events for recycling common elemental items such as aluminum cans, 
encourage students to explore creative representations of the elements 
in the Periodic Table, and generally act as ``chemistry ambassadors'' 
who emphasize the importance and contributions of chemistry to daily 
life.

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