[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7472-H7474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1600
SUPPORTING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WEEK
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1654) expressing support for designation of the
week of October 24, 2010, as ``Undergraduate Research Week,'' as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1654
Whereas close to 600 colleges and universities in the
United States and thousands of undergraduate students and
faculty pursue
[[Page H7473]]
undergraduate research every year, providing research
opportunities that will shape the trajectory of students'
lives and careers and researchers' and institutions' purpose
and contributions to academia and the research enterprise;
Whereas students and faculty engaged in undergraduate
research contribute to research across many disciplines,
including arts and humanities, biology, chemistry, health
sciences, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics
and astronomy, psychology, and social sciences;
Whereas research at the undergraduate level provides both
students and faculty members opportunities for improving and
assessing the research environment at their institution,
develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and
intellectual independence, and promotes an innovation-
oriented culture;
Whereas undergraduate research is essential to pushing the
Nation's innovation agenda forward by increasing the interest
and persistence among young people in the crucial science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines,
and to cultivating the interest of would-be researchers who
pursue a new aspiration of graduate education after
participating in undergraduate research; and
Whereas the week of April 11, 2011, would be an appropriate
week to designate as ``Undergraduate Research Week'': Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``Undergraduate Research
Week'';
(2) recognizes the importance of undergraduate research and
of providing research opportunities for the Nation's talented
youth to cultivate innovative, creative, and enterprising
young researchers, in collaboration with dedicated faculty;
(3) encourages institutions of higher education, Federal
agencies, businesses, philanthropic entities, and others to
support undergraduate research and undergraduate researchers
and their faculty mentors;
(4) encourages opportunities, including through existing
programs, for females and underrepresented minorities to
participate in undergraduate research; and
(5) supports the role undergraduate research can and does
play in crucial research that serves the Nation's best
economic and security interests.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Langevin). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.
General Leave
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House
Resolution 1654 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
There was no objection.
Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, which
supports the designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as
``Undergraduate Research Week.'' The undergraduate students of our
Nation's colleges and universities provide important research across
many disciplines at over 600 colleges and universities each year.
Undergraduate research occurs in a number of fields, including arts
and humanities, biology, chemistry, health sciences, geosciences,
mathematics, computer science, physics and astronomy, psychology,
social sciences, and many more. Students work with dedicated faculty
mentors to produce important studies, findings, and reports that
advance research in these fields.
Undergraduate research helps both individual students and the
institutions they attend. Student researchers develop critical
thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of research
methodology which helps to prepare them for graduate education and
their future careers. For institutions of higher education,
undergraduate research promotes an innovation-oriented culture,
bolsters research capacities, and improves retention rates by engaging
students in the campus community.
In my State, the University of Hawaii's system invests heavily in
undergraduate research opportunities across its campuses. Recently, I
had the opportunity to meet two outstanding students from the
University of Hawaii who presented their scientific research posters at
a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony. Haunani Kane from UH Manoa and
Nakoa Goo from UH Hilo are native Hawaiian students who were award
winners in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
program.
We know that increasing interest and participation among young people
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--the STEM
disciplines--is crucial for the Nation's future economic
competitiveness and for preparing our students for the jobs of
tomorrow. Undergraduate research in STEM fields offers students an
opportunity to both become interested in careers in these areas and to
learn important technical and research skills which prepare them for
successful careers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Holt for bringing
this resolution forward.
Once again, I express my support for Undergraduate Research Week,
which recognizes all of the important contributions of our
undergraduate students to research at our Nation's colleges and
universities. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1654.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654,
expressing support for the designation of the week of April 11, 2011,
as ``Undergraduate Research Week.''
Almost 600 colleges and universities in the United States offer
opportunities for undergraduate research. Undergraduate research
opportunities encourage students to develop critical thinking skills,
problem-solving skills, and may intrigue students to pursue research
opportunities in their educational and professional futures.
Research at all levels of education encourages innovation and
discovery essential to the future of the United States. Undergraduate
research in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
disciplines can foster a student's interest in these fields, which are
vital to the success of our Nation and of the world today.
Undergraduate Research Week recognizes the importance of
undergraduate research. It encourages colleges and universities,
businesses and other organizations to recognize the occasion. I support
this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentlelady, and I rise in support of H. Res.
1654. We would like to see the week of April 11, 2011, designated as
``Undergraduate Research Week.''
Mr. Speaker, as a scientist and an educator, I know the value of
undergraduate research both for the students and for the research
enterprise. Undergraduate researchers formed the backbone of my
research program when I was a faculty member at Swarthmore College, and
they also contributed valuable work to my research at New York
University and at Princeton University. I watched as their hands-on
experiences with the process of discovery helped them develop skills
that cannot be obtained just in the classroom, and I watched as it
heightened their understanding of science and their enthusiasm for
research. I might add, they produced excellent research.
Around the country, thousands of students at hundreds of colleges and
universities are involved in undergraduate research experiences that
will shape the trajectories of their lives and their careers. Yet we
would benefit if thousands more were involved.
Recently, the National Academies followed up on their ``Rising Above
the Gathering Storm'' report from 2005 with an account this year of
America's progress over the previous 5 years. They concluded, in part,
if the United States is to remain competitive, we need to preserve an
adequate supply of creative, leading-edge, innovative American
researchers. Early involvement in the real-world practice of science is
very valuable in meeting this goal, and it is equally vital to our
economic progress. It produces a scientifically literate society as
well.
{time} 1610
I commend the students and faculty who are participating in
undergraduate research programs across the country and in organizations
that support their
[[Page H7474]]
work, such as the Council on Undergraduate Research, the Research
Corporation, the National Science Foundation and many others. I
encourage our colleges, universities, and Federal agencies to continue
robust support for these programs, and to work together to develop new
opportunities for all interested students to participate in
undergraduate research.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker I have no requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support
this resolution and especially at this time, at a time when we need to
be strengthening and enhancing our STEM education. I think that this is
a very important resolution to focus our attention on those issues.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1654, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Expressing
support for designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as
`Undergraduate Research Week.' ''
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________