[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 277 taken May 19, 2010, 
H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, had I not 
had a family emergency which required my immediate return to 
California, I would have proudly voted ``yes''.
  With increasing global competition, it is critically important that 
we boost our country's research potential and expand our commitment to 
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. 
Economic growth requires innovation; innovation requires robust 
research; and effective research requires a broadly educated workforce. 
I am deeply saddened that COMPETES fell victim to shortsighted 
Republican political gamesmanship, and I look forward to working with 
House Science and Technology Chair Bart Gordon to get COMPETES 
reauthorized through another legislative vehicle.

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