[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2012

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 20th anniversary 
of the Leadership Alliance. Founded in 1992 by Brown University in my 
home State of Rhode Island, the Leadership Alliance is a national 
academic consortium of leading research universities and minority-
serving institutions with the mission to develop underrepresented 
students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, 
business, and public service.
  Through an organized program of research, networking, and mentorship 
at critical transitions along the entire academic training pathway, the 
Leadership Alliance prepares young scientists and scholars from 
underrepresented and underserved populations for graduate training and 
professional apprenticeships. Leadership Alliance faculty mentors 
provide high quality, cutting-edge research experiences in all academic 
disciplines at the Nation's most competitive graduate training 
institutions and share insights into the nature of academic careers.
  During difficult economic times, it is important to educate and train 
young people to become active participants in the workforce. In 
particular, I believe we must build on programs in the science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM fields. If we do not 
engage future generations to excel in these fields, it will hurt our 
Nation's ability to innovate, and hurt our employers' ability to fill 
21st century jobs. It is through their creativity and talent that we 
will strengthen our economy and competitiveness.
  In the 20 years since its establishment, the Leadership Alliance has 
proven that investing in our students yields immeasurable returns. 
Brown University has mentored 386 Leadership Alliance participants, of 
whom 35 percent have received a graduate level degree. Notably, over 
half of the Leadership Alliance doctoral degree recipients are in the 
STEM disciplines.
  Opportunities through the Leadership Alliance and other programs, 
such as the Community College to Career Fund, offer students of all 
gender, racial, and economic backgrounds to get involved, and 
ultimately, to succeed. As co-chair of the Career and Technical 
Education Caucus, I am always searching for ways to excite and entice 
these young students to develop their potential and share their 
knowledge. When we invest in their successes, we invest in our economic 
future.
  I am pleased today to congratulate the Leadership Alliance and Brown 
University for 20 years of mentoring a diverse, competitive research 
and scholarly workforce, and I look forward to following their 
successes over the next 20 years.

                          ____________________