[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  H.R. 6429, THE STEM JOBS ACT OF 2012

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues this week are 
attempting to make a case for the importance of education, yet their 
budget this year slashed funding for education and for basic and 
applied research, creating barriers for traditional students, returning 
students and worker training. This is not the approach to ensure our 
students have the skills they need to match the jobs that are 
available. And this is not the approach to capitalize on the American 
ingenuity that will lead to economic growth.
  We know that students trained in science, technology, engineering and 
math (STEM), are acquiring the skills to fill and succeed at the jobs 
of the future. In order to increase American competitiveness, create 
good paying jobs, and ensure our position on the global stage, we have 
to invest in education, worker training and research in STEM studies. 
For years in my position as Co-Chair of the Innovation, Competitiveness 
and Tax Reform Task Force of the New Democratic Coalition I have called 
for exactly that--a renewed focus on STEM skills in the workforce.
  And not just in our own students, but we must also remove the 
barriers to success for international students training in STEM studies 
at U.S. institutions. Instead of sending these highly-skilled 
international students back to their native countries, where they 
contribute to the foreign economies we are competing against, let's 
provide them with visas and let the American economy take advantage of 
these skills.
  There is a real opportunity for these highly trained international 
students to achieve the American dream and contribute talent, 
creativity and innovative skills that will help ensure our place in a 
competitive global economy. And there is an actual opportunity to get 
something signed into law but we know the real work will have to come 
next Congress, as there are few days left to get much done this fall.
  America's future as a global competitor depends on our ability to 
come together as leaders and make the hard decisions and smart 
investments as well as enact the policies that put us on a long-term 
path to prosperity. We cannot let America's future get bogged down by 
politics. There is too much at stake.

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