[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 175 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Ben Ray Lujaan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, to kick off this 
year's annual Computer Science Education Week taking place from 
December 9 to December 15, I had the pleasure of visiting with students 
at Capital High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  We took part in the global Hour of Code campaign organized by 
Computing in the Core and code.org that offers introductory coding 
activities and tutorials.
  I also engaged with students about the importance of computer science 
by hosting a panel of industry professionals to highlight how diverse 
and exciting a career in computer science can truly be.
  It is conversations like these that can be useful in helping young 
people navigate toward careers in computer science and STEM. In today's 
world, a degree in computer science translates into high-paying, in-
demand jobs.
  At a time when people are struggling to find work in our recovering 
economy, the computer science industry is growing, and New Mexico is 
predicted to add 15,360 computing jobs by 2018.
  It has become increasingly essential for students to learn the 
language of code, the same way that they learn reading, writing, and 
mathematics. If we are to remain economically competitive and have a 
highly skilled workforce, access to computer science curricula and 
coding instruction must be a priority.
  However, nationwide, only one in 10 schools offers computer science, 
and there is a great lack of diversity in those that do. Just 4 percent 
of students enrolled are female and 3 percent are students of color. In 
New Mexico, only 57 students took the computer science AP exam in 2012. 
This is a result, in part, of the fact that New Mexico does not offer 
computer science teacher certifications for middle and high school 
teachers and is one of the 36 States that does not count computer 
science courses toward high school graduation requirements for math and 
science.
  Computer science provides students with the 21st-century skills 
necessary for innovation by teaching design, logical reasoning, and 
problem-solving. Yet, too few students have access to this rigorous 
coursework. That is why I cosponsored H.R. 2536, the Computer Science 
Education Act, that will help ensure that more students have access to 
computer science education by making it a core academic subject and 
including computer science teachers in professional development.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Computer Science 
Education Week and Computer Science Education Act. It is critically 
important that every student have the opportunity to learn computer 
science at an early age.
  When we show them that they have the power to create the next great 
app, not just use it, I believe we will capture their hearts and minds 
and foster the next generation of innovators.

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