[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H53-H55]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 862) congratulating the staff, students, and 
faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 
2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Competition, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 862

       Whereas the United States House of Representatives has 
     repeatedly recognized in passed legislation the importance of 
     science, technology, engineering, and math education at all 
     levels as a necessary part of strengthening the future of 
     scientific research in the United States;
       Whereas the Intel Corporation holds an annual ``Intel 
     Schools of Distinction'' competition in which schools compete 
     for grants by demonstrating an environment and curricula that 
     demonstrates 21st century teaching and learning, with a focus 
     on mathematics and science;
       Whereas the annual Intel School of Distinction awards 
     recognize United States schools that implement innovative 
     math and science programs and serve as role models for other 
     schools;
       Whereas each year, only one school across the country is 
     selected through this competition as the ``Star Innovator'' 
     among the 18 finalists receiving the Intel Schools of 
     Distinction honor;
       Whereas, on September 15, 2009, the Illinois Mathematics 
     and Science Academy, a State-supported boarding school 
     serving 650 of Illinois' top high school mathematics 
     students, was selected as the 2009 Star Innovator in the 
     Intel Schools of Distinction competition;
       Whereas Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy alum are 
     currently working at the head of their fields in such diverse 
     industries as aerospace engineering, biotechnology, forensic 
     science, and academic institutions across the globe;
       Whereas Leon Lederman, the recipient of the Nobel Prize in 
     Physics in 1988, worked to create the Illinois Mathematics 
     and Science Academy as a school that could not only provide 
     children with an invaluable education in science and 
     mathematics, but also to train thousands of Illinois teachers 
     in the art of teaching those skills; and
       Whereas the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has 
     clearly demonstrated a continued dedication to offering the 
     kind of education necessary to create future generations of 
     scientists in the United States, and thus secure the future 
     of scientific research in the United States: Now, therefore, 
     be it

[[Page H54]]

       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the staff, students, and faculty at the 
     Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy on this award and 
     wish them well in all their future endeavors; and be it 
     further; and
       (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the 
     Illinois Math and Science Academy for appropriate display.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days in which 
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
material into the Record on H. Res. 862.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Foster) for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am here on the floor today to speak in 
support of H. Res. 862 honoring the Illinois Math and Science Academy 
for its receipt of the Intel Corporation's Star Innovator Award. The 
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a school of outstanding 
academic quality in my district, but I am also speaking in support of 
bringing the attention of this body to the importance of education in 
science, mathematics, and other quantitative fields.
  The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy was first proposed by 
Leon Lederman, the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1988 as a 
way of ensuring that top flight and motivated Illinois children receive 
an invaluable education in science and mathematics, and also to train 
thousands of Illinois teachers in the art of teaching those skills. 
Under the guidance of Stephanie Pace Marshall, this institution 
blossomed into an institution that has graduated many famous and 
accomplished graduates, including the inventor of the original Web 
browser, Mosaic, the founder of YouTube, and dozens of surgeons, 
teachers, fighter pilots, scientists, and, yes, even financial services 
experts. We employ an IMSA graduate in our congressional office today.
  The award that this school received last September, Intel 
Corporation's Star Innovator award, has its own rich history of 
promoting science in the United States. The progenitor of this award 
was first given out in 1942, then referred to as the Westinghouse 
Science Talent Search. This award was given out under this name for 
over 50 years and was highly recognized as the highest scientific honor 
that any high school student could receive.
  A decade ago, this program was taken over by Intel, the company that 
invented the microprocessor and a company that recognizes the crucial 
importance of math and science education to the economic future of our 
country. The name of the award and its primary sponsor may have 
changed, but the award itself and the high academic honor associated 
with it continue to this day.
  Under Intel's guidance, the program now includes awards honoring not 
only students and teachers, but innovative institutions specializing in 
math and science education as well. As a scientist myself, I see the 
need for recognizing and congratulating scientific achievement at all 
ages. We need not just this award, not just corporate sponsorships, not 
just economic awards, but also a new cultural appreciation for the 
value of individuals with extensive quantitative skills in math, 
science, and engineering, and other technical disciplines.
  But I also have a special reason to be proud of this award. As it 
turns out, my daughter is one of the many proud alums who call IMSA 
their alma mater. My daughter recently graduated from Stanford, and I 
am happy to report that she is now gainfully employed doing work she 
enjoys, certainly one of the key milestones in any parent's lifetime.
  While the Illinois Math and Science Academy lies in the Illinois 14th 
Congressional District that I represent, I am proud to be joined in 
this congratulation by the entire Illinois delegation. And in 
particular, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Biggert), IMSA's neighbor to the east, who has always been a strong 
supporter of math and science education, as well as the Illinois Math 
and Science Academy.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 862 congratulating 
the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and 
Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel 
Schools of Distinction competition.
  Math and science education at all levels is a necessary part of 
strengthening the future of scientific research in the United States. 
As a result of the changing nature of the global economy, American 
economic competitiveness is now at the forefront. Emphasizing math and 
science education will ensure a competitive 21st century workforce.
  Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield such time as she may consume 
to the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
  Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 862, which 
congratulates the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, commonly 
known as IMSA, which is located in Aurora, Illinois, for winning the 
2009 Star Innovator award. And I would like to commend the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Foster) for offering this resolution and also for 
all of the work he has done in math and science and in education. We 
really do need to continue to work to have more scientists, more 
engineers, and more mathematicians if we are going to compete in the 
global economy.
  IMSA was founded in 1985. It does enroll the most talented 10th 
through 12th graders in the State of Illinois. Since its founding, it 
has graduated 4,000 students, including many from nearby communities. I 
have had the opportunity to have many of those students come from my 
district. IMSA students go on to pursue exciting careers in the latest 
cutting-edge fields: mathematics, engineering, and science. And just a 
few more facts on where these IMSA alumni have gone. They were founding 
teams for many Web sites, many Web site innovations, including 
Netscape, PayPal, and YouTube, as the gentleman from Illinois 
recognized.
  Each year Intel gives this Star Innovator award to a school that 
provides high quality, cutting-edge math and science instruction in a 
unique and enriching environment. It is a boarding school, but the kids 
have the opportunity to go home on the weekend, but they work really, 
really hard and concentrate on their studies and they come out with a 
great education and are able to move forward.
  I am a long-time advocate also of science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics, or STEM education, and I have been since my tenure 
here in Congress. I am really delighted to see that this school is 
recognized for its innovative curriculum, its administration, its 
teachers, and the high caliber of graduates that it produces. If we are 
really to strive to develop a workforce for the 21st century and be 
able to participate in the global economy--we always think of our 
country as having the innovation and the creativity--well, this is 
where it comes from. It is from schools like this that produce the 
graduates that are able to carry forth in these fields.
  I hope that IMSA will be a model for other schools throughout the 
country. I think the more recognition it gets, the more we will find 
that these schools are so important to our economy.
  Please join us in supporting this important resolution in encouraging 
excellence among our Nation's schools and giving those best students 
the opportunity to participate in something like this.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I recognize myself for such time as I may 
consume.
  First of all, it is always a privilege to follow Mrs. Biggert to the 
microphone, particularly when she speaks on

[[Page H55]]

education. Her support of education at every level is well known well 
beyond the borders of Illinois. And this country's educational system 
is much better off because of her devotion to education.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 862, congratulating 
the staff of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning 
the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction 
Competition.
  Each year the Intel Corporation holds an annual ``Intel Schools of 
Distinction'' competition. The awards recognize schools in the United 
States that implement innovative math and science programs and serve as 
role models for other schools. Among the 18 schools that qualify for 
the Intel Schools of Distinction honor, one school is selected to 
receive the highly prestigious Star Innovator award. Finalists, 
Winners, and the Star Innovator all receive a cash grant from the Intel 
Foundation. The Star Innovator is given a $25,000 grant. On September 
15, 2009, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy was selected as 
a 2009 Star Innovator.
  Established in 1985, the idea, as Mr. Foster mentioned, was first 
created by Nobel Prize winner Leon Lederman, who set out to craft a 
school that not only would provide children with an invaluable 
education in science and mathematics, but also train thousands of 
Illinois teachers in the art of teaching those skills.
  Students at the Illinois Math and Science Academy design and conduct 
hands-on experiments, make observations, analyze data, draw 
conclusions, and communicate evidence-based principles. Students are 
able to delve into the scientific literature and build understanding by 
blending information and investigation through writing. Students are 
given opportunities to partner with cutting-edge scientists on 
diagnostics, nanotechnology, medical research, and more.
  At the center of achievement at Illinois Mathematics and Science 
Academy is an excellent staff. They utilize cutting-edge facilities and 
technology to advance student achievement. Of the 18 science faculty 
members, 11 have a Ph.D. Numerous alumni are currently working at the 
head of their fields in such diverse industries as aerospace 
engineering, biotechnology, forensic science, and academic institutions 
across the globe.
  The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has clearly demonstrated 
a continued dedication to offering the kind of education necessary to 
create future generations of scientists in the United States, and thus 
secure the future of scientific research in this country. Awarding them 
the Star Innovator award not only credits them for doing an outstanding 
job educating our youth in math and science, but also helps grant them 
the funds to continue their success.
  Madam Speaker, once again I express my support and congratulations 
for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in winning the 2009 
Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Competition, and I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 862, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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