[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6945-H6948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING NATIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1560) supporting the increased understanding 
of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the 
public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future 
technology workforce through the designation of National Computer 
Science Education Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1560

       Whereas computing technology has become an integral part of 
     culture and is transforming how people interact with each 
     other and the world around them;
       Whereas computer science is transforming industry, creating 
     new fields of commerce, driving innovation in all fields of 
     science, and bolstering productivity in established economic 
     sectors;
       Whereas the field of computer science underpins the 
     information technology sector of our economy, which is a 
     significant contributor to United States economic output;
       Whereas the information technology sector is uniquely 
     positioned to help with economic recovery through the 
     research and development of new innovations;
       Whereas National Computer Science Education Week can inform 
     students, teachers, parents, and the general public about the 
     crucial role that computer science plays in transforming our 
     society and how computer science enables innovation in all 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines 
     and creates economic opportunities;
       Whereas providing students the chance to participate in 
     high-quality computer science activities, including through 
     science scholarships, exposes them to the rich opportunities 
     the field offers and provides critical thinking skills that 
     will serve them throughout their lives;
       Whereas all students deserve a thorough preparation in 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, 
     including access to the qualified teachers, technology, and 
     age-appropriate curriculum needed to learn computer science 
     at the elementary and secondary levels of education;

[[Page H6946]]

       Whereas these subjects provide the critical foundation to 
     master the skills demanded by our 21st century workforce;
       Whereas computer science education has challenges to 
     address, including distinguishing computer science from 
     technology literacy and providing adequate professional 
     development for computer science teachers;
       Whereas the field of computer science has significant 
     equity barriers to address, including attracting more 
     participation by females and underrepresented minorities to 
     all levels and branches;
       Whereas Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first females in 
     the field of computer science, engineered new programming 
     languages and pioneered standards for computer systems which 
     laid the foundation for many advancements in computer 
     science; and
       Whereas the week of December 5, in honor of Grace Hopper's 
     birthday, is designated as ``National Computer Science 
     Education Week'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of National Computer Science 
     Education Week;
       (2) encourages schools, teachers, researchers, 
     universities, and policymakers to identify mechanisms for 
     teachers to receive cutting edge professional development to 
     provide sustainable learning experiences in computer science 
     at all educational levels and encourage students to be 
     exposed to computer science concepts;
       (3) encourages opportunities, including through existing 
     programs, for females and underrepresented minorities in 
     computer science; and
       (4) supports research in computer science to address what 
     would motivate increased participation in this field.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1560 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1560, which 
designates the week of December 5, 2010, as National Computer Science 
Education Week to support increased public awareness of, and interest 
in, the field of computer science and careers in computers.
  I am honored to have joined Mr. Ehlers of Michigan for the second 
year in a row as bipartisan cosponsors in recognizing the critical 
importance of computer science education to the future of our country 
and to a strong economy and jobs.
  The global competitiveness of our workers and our economy depends on 
our ability to embrace emergent information in computer technologies. 
As an Internet entrepreneur myself, who had founded several successful 
companies before I came to Congress, I learned firsthand how computer 
technology is transforming people's lives throughout the world and 
represents a critical strategy for ensuring our country's national 
competitiveness. The Department of Commerce estimates that there will 
be 800,000 job openings in computer science over the next 6 years, 
making it one of the fastest-growing fields in the country, and it's of 
critical importance, particularly during this recovery.
  Computer science also drives innovation across other sectors--in 
science, technology, engineering, and math. According to the College 
Board, 4 of the top 10 fastest-growing jobs will be in computer-related 
fields as our Nation's most innovative and successful companies 
continue to expand their capabilities. Computer skills, Madam Speaker, 
are necessary in jobs across the board. From agricultural jobs to 
office jobs, the way we interact with computers plays a critical role 
in both our personal and our professional lives.
  The types of jobs where we need to do better with regard to computer 
education include computer system analysts, software engineers, network 
systems managers, data communication analysts and many others. And yet 
despite the growing need and the many job openings, there were less 
than 60,000 Americans that pursued degrees in computer science in 2008.
  In my district in Colorado, for example, more than 2,500 computing 
job openings occur annually, but only 10 students say they intend to 
major in computer science and 34 took the Advanced Placement computer 
science exam, according to the National Center for Women and 
Information Technology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, the 
flagship State university in our Colorado system.

                              {time}  1610

  Unless we get more kids interested in computer science degrees and 
careers, we'll continue to lose our edge in global competitiveness. But 
that interest starts early, Madam Speaker. We need to start through 
public education, elementary school, middle school, and high school in 
giving kids the skills they need to enter these fields in college and 
professionally.
  National Computer Science Education Week provides an important 
opportunity to highlight the opportunities available in this bill and 
give kids the skills they need to obtain success, to encourage more 
students to pursue careers in the fast-growing fields of computing and 
information technology, and also to highlight the importance of a 
skilled and diverse workforce that takes full advantage of the great 
diversity our Nation has to offer to compete for 21st century jobs.
  The date of National Computer Science Education Week coincides with 
the birthday of Grace Hopper, one of the first prominent women in the 
field of computer science. As a United States Naval officer, Ms. Hopper 
became a computer programmer and later engineered new programming 
languages and created standards for computer systems which laid the 
foundation for major advancements in computer science. The U.S. Navy 
destroyer USS Hopper was named in her honor.
  National Computer Science Education Week can also help expose 
students to innovative technologies and computer science as early as 
kindergarten and continuing all the way through college. Students 
deserve and need access to the technology, qualified teachers, and age-
appropriate curriculum at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary 
levels. These resources encourage students to distinguish between 
computer literacy and computational thinking, which facilitates new 
ways to use these powerful tools to approach issues in biology, 
chemistry, physics, astronomy, and health care.
  In a world dominated by Facebook, iPods, the Web, and the Internet, 
every child stands to benefit from a rigorous computer science 
education. And yet today, too few students have the opportunity to take 
engaging and rigorous computer science courses, and there is far too 
little diversity among those who do. Low-income, women, and minority 
students are severely underenrolled in computer science courses and 
programs, both at the secondary and post-secondary levels, and also in 
the related professions.
  That's why I have introduced H.R. 5929, the Computer Science 
Education Act, which will help ensure that American students not only 
use technology but also learn the technical computing skills needed to 
grow our economy and invent the technology that will drive our economic 
engine in the future. America simply cannot afford to continue wasting 
talent and opportunities in this field.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Ehlers for submitting 
this resolution and express my strong support for recognizing the week 
of December 5 as National Computer Science Education Week.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1560, 
supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer 
science and computing careers among the public, and especially in our 
schools, to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce 
through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week.
  Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of 
information and computation and of practical techniques for their 
implementation and application in computer systems. Today, more than 
ever, computer science is integral to the functioning

[[Page H6947]]

and growth of our society and economy. Computer science supports the 
information technology sector that has become such a large contributor 
to the United States' economic output.
  The need for diverse participants in the field of computer science 
exists more so today than ever before. As the world's dependence on 
technology grows, so does the need for individuals with the knowledge 
and background to support and advance that technology in all fields of 
science.
  Computer science education provides an opportunity for students to 
enter the field of computer science and exposes them to the 
opportunities this important field has to offer. A high-quality 
education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help 
to prepare students for a future in computer science and to master the 
skills needed in the 21st century workforce. A computer science 
education can provide students with opportunities for future education 
and employment in some of the fastest growing industries.
  National Computer Science Education Week, to be recognized the week 
of December 5, will inform students, teachers, parents, and the public 
about the role of computer science in our society and the opportunities 
it affords to participants in the field. Today I express my strong 
support for National Computer Science Education Week and encourage all 
schools, teachers, researchers, and universities to recognize this 
occasion.
  I support the resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. I would like to inquire if the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
has any further speakers.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I was expecting the sponsor of the 
resolution. I understand that he is on his way and should be here 
momentarily.
  I take it the gentleman has no other speakers?
  Mr. POLIS. I would like to continue.
  I yield myself such time as I may consume, Madam Speaker.
  Little is of greater importance to the economic future of our country 
than making sure that kids are prepared to enter the workforce of the 
future and create the jobs of the future, many of which will either be 
in computer science or require skills in computer science. Regardless 
of the field, whether it's construction, whether it's education, 
whether it's banking, having basic skills in computational technology 
as a computer science is absolutely critical for occupational success. 
To bring some of the jobs back to America, we need to make sure that we 
have the best and brightest and most capable children that are equipped 
with the tools they need to prepare the next generation of intellectual 
property and software products for consumption across the world.
  I have been honored to introduce this resolution recognizing National 
Computer Science Education Week with Representative Ehlers, for the 
second year, to acknowledge the important contributions of computer 
science to our country's economic development and also to emphasize the 
need for increased diversity and ensuring that we tap into the great 
diversity that composes the American people in preparing for the jobs 
of the future.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Colorado along with the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for their sponsorship of this. We 
see issues often in our professional roles but also in our personal 
roles, and this area of computer science and education is one that I 
have seen as a dad, a parent of a 14-year-old and an 11-year-old, a 
sixth grader and an eighth grader. This generation that's coming up now 
can't imagine the world without computers. As one of the older 
generations, I regularly turn to them for input in how to troubleshoot. 
And I think that's what we're trying to help promote here is that 
understanding of how integral computer science is to our daily lives, 
to our economy, and to our quality of life. And this resolution will 
help promote that idea and remind all of our citizens that, if they're 
looking for a great opportunity for a career, computer science and 
related fields is a wonderful one that's going to be with us for 
decades to come and integral to our country's growth and success 
economically in the years ahead, as well.
  I believe that we're not going to be able to wait for the sponsor, so 
I would just conclude by acknowledging Mr. Ehlers, the gentleman from 
Michigan's work in this area and his professional work before coming to 
the House in this arena and what a great champion he has been for 
supporting the importance of education in computer science, 
mathematics, engineering, and technology. And he'll be leaving us at 
the end of this session, but I know he will continue to be a strong 
advocate for education in this field.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Certainly, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania mentioned, 
we salute Mr. Ehlers' leadership on this issue and certainly hope that 
in future sessions we will continue to have strong bipartisan agreement 
on this issue. And perhaps if we are both in the next session, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania will join me to continue the tradition of 
honoring Computer Science Education Week in future sessions.
  Again, the recognition in ensuring that raising the profile of the 
importance of computer science is a first step. And I have also 
introduced a bill, H.R. 5929, that really enacts what we need to do 
with regard to helping improve opportunities for computer science 
across the country. It's not simply a matter of kids using technology, 
but also a matter of learning the technical computing skills that are 
needed for an increasingly complicated workforce and business climate.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1560, which 
supports the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer 
science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and 
ensures an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the 
designation of National Computer Science Education Week.
  The week of December 5 has been chosen as National Computer Science 
Education Week to honor the birthday of Grace Murray Hopper, one of the 
first female computer scientists. This will mark the second annual 
celebration of this important week.
  Computing technology and the innovations it yields are transforming 
our world and are critical to the global competitiveness of our 
economy. However, we are not preparing an adequate and diverse 
workforce to meet the ever-growing demand for the information 
technology sector, which includes some of the country's most innovative 
and successful companies.
  While it is very important that students in K-12 are exposed to 
computer science, many do not get a chance to learn about it in schools 
today. The lack of understanding of computer science and how it fuels 
innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
disciplines contributes to a lack of interest in computing careers, 
especially among women and underrepresented minorities, whose 
participation rates in computer science are among the lowest of any 
scientific field. By introducing students to computer science at an 
early age and providing them with learning experiences in computer 
science at all educational levels, we can reverse this trend and expand 
and diversify our technology workforce.
  I am very pleased that Congressman Polis joined me in introducing 
this resolution. Also, I thank Cameron Wilson with the Association for 
Computing Machinery and Joel Adams with the Department of Computer 
Science at Calvin College for their efforts in raising the awareness 
about the importance of computer science education. In addition, I 
thank Julia Jester, formerly of my staff, for her help on drafting and 
introducing this resolution, as well as for her dedicated service as 
the staff director of the STEM Education Caucus.
  Please join me in supporting the designation of the second annual 
National Computer Science Education Week to raise awareness about these 
important issues.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1560.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

[[Page H6948]]



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