[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2762-H2763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MATHEMATICS AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1270) expressing support for Mathematics Awareness
Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1270
Whereas current educational and economic trends indicate
that the demand for employees with a high-quality mathematics
education could exceed the supply of individuals with such an
education;
Whereas students who pursue a postsecondary education in
mathematics have a broad range of career choices upon
graduation;
Whereas Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as
Mathematics Awareness Week;
Whereas April 2010, is recognized as Mathematics Awareness
Month;
Whereas the theme for Mathematics Awareness Month 2010,
``Mathematics and Sports'', highlights uses for an education
in mathematics across a broad range of subjects and helps to
show students the role of mathematics in their everyday lives
and interests;
Whereas mathematics is found in sports in the forms of
measurement, time, computation, fractions, statistics, and
probability; and
Whereas Mathematics Awareness Month encourages colleges,
universities, and other organizations to hold events that
draw and retain students to the field of mathematics: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Mathematics Awareness
Month;
(2) encourages colleges, universities, and other
organizations to hold events to honor Mathematics Awareness
Month; and
(3) supports increased public awareness and appreciation
for the importance of mathematics at all levels of the
educational system in the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentlewoman from Illinois
(Mrs. Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.
General Leave
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous
material on House Resolution 1270 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
There was no objection.
Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1270, which
recognizes the important role of mathematics in our schools and in our
country.
Family members, as children's first teachers, are crucial to student
success. The more adults become engaged in their children's education,
the greater the chances that children will succeed. Parents teach
children academic fundamentals by reading to them and by counting with
them.
Mathematics Awareness Month provides a venue for students from
kindergarten through high school and their families to celebrate and
learn math. Institutes of higher education and professional
organizations organize community events that highlight math problem-
solving and how math is used in a variety of careers.
To succeed in tomorrow's world, students must understand algebra,
geometry, statistics, and probability. Business and industry demand
workers who can solve real-world problems, who can explain their
thinking to others, who can identify and analyze trends from data, and
who can use modern technology.
Our Nation's economic competitiveness depends upon rich math
knowledge that can fuel industry by our citizenry. Tackling prominent
social and health challenges will require professionals skilled in
mathematics.
Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness
Week, and it became a monthlong celebration in 1999. Math has been
commemorated this way every April for almost 25 years.
The theme of this year's Mathematics Awareness Month is ``Sports.''
All over the country, students and their families can attend community
events to learn about math in baseball, basketball, football, golf,
soccer, track and field, tennis, and, actually, car racing.
Additionally, the Mathematics Awareness Month Web site provides videos
and links to other resources.
Mathematics Awareness Month also provides an opportunity for us all
to recognize the dedication of our Nation's math educators and to
purposefully look for ways to increase mathematical excellence for all
of our children.
I commend the colleges, universities, and organizations which hold
events to draw and retain students into the field of mathematics.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Mathematics
Awareness Month, and I hope this resolution
[[Page H2763]]
serves to inspire our Nation's citizenry to seek out events near them.
I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this
resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass this
resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Washington, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the sponsor of
this bill.
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1270, a resolution expressing support for Mathematics Awareness
Month.
Over the last several decades, there has been a growing concern with
the low number of students who are graduating with a degree in
mathematics. A 2002 report issued by the National Science Foundation
found that the number of math degrees represented 1 percent of all
bachelor's degrees in 1998, which was down from 1\1/2\ percent in 1985.
Our concern is that the demand for those with mathematics degrees has
and will continue to significantly exceed the available number of
individuals qualified to meet our Nation's employment needs in the
areas requiring math backgrounds.
Mathematics Awareness Month is intended to raise public awareness and
the appreciation for mathematics. First recognized as Mathematics
Awareness Week by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, the need for
increased outreach was recognized. In 1999, Mathematics Awareness Month
was established, and it has been recognized every year since by the
Federal Government and by interested stakeholders to increase
visibility and to highlight math's relevancy and importance to our
economic future.
This month, Mathematics Awareness Month will focus on the
relationship between math and sports, emphasizing the role that math
plays in sports, such as time and measurement and statistics and
probability.
I think what's interesting is that a 2005 GAO report found that
teacher effectiveness between grades kindergarten and 12th was critical
to a student's ongoing interest in mathematics. As we move forward with
the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we
should be cognizant of what is resonating with students and what is
not, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science, engineering,
and technology. Mathematics Awareness Month is one example of how we
can help teachers make that important practical connection with
students in needed areas of study.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a longtime advocate of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics--or STEM--education during my tenure here
in Congress, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1270,
expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month.
In our increasingly global and technology-based economy, math
education has become even more important to ensuring our Nation's
continued economic competitiveness. Learning math is financially
beneficial for both our Nation's economy and for our students.
In 2010, the top 10 highest paying college majors were all related to
math, science, and engineering. Unfortunately, recent National
Association of Educational Progress--NAEP--test scores has shown little
or no progress among our fourth and eighth grade students since 2007.
Despite the best efforts of many, this data demonstrate that much more
must be done to improve mathematics education and to demonstrate its
relevance to our Nation's students.
That is why the Joint Policy Board of Mathematics has chosen the 2010
theme ``Mathematics and Sports'' for this year's Mathematics Awareness
Month. It will highlight the intersection of the sports world with the
wide world of mathematics, a universal language which is used to
investigate questions ranging from the trajectory of a baseball to the
weight of a star.
Sports offer a variety of data, strategies, and probabilities which
are each uniquely suited to mathematical analysis. Beyond its obvious
use in evaluating baseball players and football quarterbacks,
mathematics is necessary to design the dimple patterns on golf balls
and the composition of racing tires. Today's baseball and basketball
teams are even utilizing complex, new mathematical formulas to assemble
the best teams at the lowest cost. This sports theme will provide
students with countless opportunities to apply a range of math skills
on real-life issues they encounter every day.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Mathematics Awareness Month, and I
urge my colleagues to join me in encouraging all schools, colleges,
universities, and other organizations to recognize the importance of
mathematics in their own curricula.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
support of H. Res. 1270 to express support for Mathematics Awareness
Month. This year, Mathematics Awareness Month will take place in April
with the theme of ``Mathematics and Sports.'' Events and demonstrations
will take place across the country and include a variety of workshops,
exhibits, competitions, and lectures to both educate people and
encourage the study of mathematics.
As our society becomes increasingly dependent on technology,
professionals who have a deep understanding of math and science are
going to be in high demand. For this reason it is imperative that we
educate the coming generation to truly understand mathematics and how
it can be applied to everyday life. Simply put, our economy is going to
demand an understanding of mathematics, and it is imperative that we
rise to the challenge and teach our young people the mathematics skills
they need.
Mr. Speaker, throughout my years in Congress, I have been an avid
supporter of mathematics, engineering, and other related fields. I
fully believe that we have to hold mathematics education in higher
regard as innovation is a direct byproduct of a deep understanding of
this field. For this reason, Mathematics Awareness Month is incredibly
important, and I encourage my fellow colleagues to join me today in
supporting this resolution for both our students and the future of our
country.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Seeing that I have no further requests for time, I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to
support House Resolution 1270, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1270.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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