[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 31 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E320-E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I stand before you today in 
support of H. Res. 1097, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Engineers Week.''
  Let me begin by thanking my colleague Rep. Daniel Lipinski for 
introducing this resolution, as it is important that we acknowledge and 
recognize the great influence and importance engineers have had over 
the last century in the development of our nation.
  It is also important that we recognize that Engineers and those 
involved in emerging research and science hold the keys to the future 
development of our great nation. That is why it is necessary that we 
continue to invest not only in the education of our children in the 
areas of math and science but also in engineering programs at the high 
school, university and graduate school levels. By increasing our 
collective body of knowledge in these areas we will help ensure that 
the United States will continue to grow, develop and create new 
opportunities and ideas for future generations and maintain our 
competitive edge globally.
  Engineers have played a major role in my district in Houston, Texas. 
Had it not been for the many fine Texas engineers, scientists and 
construction workers, many of the large projects that directly benefit 
Houston and its citizens would not exist today.
  One of the largest of such projects is the Port of Houston, which 
sees over 212 million tons of cargo pass through its gates every year. 
The Port of Houston and the economic activity generated by the port are 
also attributable to nearly 785,000 jobs in the State of

[[Page E321]]

Texas alone. These jobs generate over $39 billion in personal income 
annually.
  Madam Speaker, engineers in Houston have also played a vital role in 
the construction of a new Metro light rail service which runs over 
approximately 8 miles of track from Downtown Houston to the Texas 
Medical Center and Reliant Park. This project has greatly helped the 
people of my district by decreasing both the pollution as well as the 
amount of traffic on the highways during rush hour, and by creating new 
affordable travel options for Houstonians.
  In the Houston area, engineers have also provided the expertise and 
know-how over the past several decades in the construction of over 
575.5 miles of freeways and expressways in the 10-county Houston 
metropolitan area. This vast network of highways and expressways has 
further helped Houston to grow into the international transportation 
hub that it is today.
  Madam Speaker, with the advent of globalization, it is important that 
we work together with engineers, engineering firms and governments 
around the globe to foster better relations as well as create reliable 
infrastructures. Creating a more global and standardized network of 
reliable infrastructure would seek to improve transnational relations 
through increased trade, communications and further opportunities for 
travel and exchange.
  Officially establishing the week of February 14, 2010, to February 
20, 2010 as ``National Engineers Week'' would seek to increase national 
awareness of the importance engineers have in improving the lives of 
our citizens through public works and infrastructure projects. Also, by 
refocusing our efforts in education to include more engineering, math 
and science courses and curriculum, we can help to ensure that the 
United States continues to serve as the model of state-of-the-art 
engineering to the world.
  I urge my colleagues to support engineers and their families across 
our country and support this resolution.

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