[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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