[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 58 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E493-E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMPUTER SCIENCE BY PAOLA OBISPO

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2016

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that 
sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice 
to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the 
importance of being an active participant in the political process. 
Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics 
and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Paola Obispo attends Manvel High School in Manvel, Texas. The essay 
topic is: computer science.

       The future of our country rests on the actions we take now 
     to secure a spot at the

[[Page E494]]

     helm of innovation, with regards to technology. Technology, 
     more specifically computer science, is growing in relevance 
     worldwide and we would be foolish to ignore it. The 
     importance of computer science is second to none as it is 
     vital to our security, foreign and domestic, as well as vital 
     to safeguarding our economic prosperity.
       The power of computer science is so great that it enables 
     anyone with a computer access to power. Knowledge in computer 
     science is what allowed North Korea, a country with 
     relatively low resources, to orchestrate a successful cyber 
     attack against a U.S. corporation. Furthermore, at home, 
     ordinary citizens and businesses are experiencing the sting 
     of sub par computer science education, as they are falling 
     victim to cyber breaches.
       On the other hand, our country can benefit tremendously 
     economically by supporting computer science education. The 
     fact that knowledge of computers can lead to rewarding 
     careers is evident on a large scale to the success of people 
     like Bill Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Mark 
     Zuckerberg. Furthermore, it is expected that around ``[h]alf 
     a million new jobs over the next decade will require 
     computer-science know-how.''
       Plans to encourage computer science have been started by 
     the Obama administration. Whether, the move to increase the 
     budget will be effective or not is yet to be decided. 
     However, the awareness President Obama brought to computer 
     science during his last state of the union address is still 
     noteworthy, although probably not enough.
       The neglect we have given computer science courses cannot 
     continue, if we hope to maintain our place as a superpower. 
     As evidence of this neglect only ``4,310 out of the roughly 
     37,000 high schools in the nation in 2015'' offer Advanced 
     Placement computer science. Fortunately for me, my school is 
     one of those schools that offer AP computer science and I 
     have been able to benefit from a computer science education. 
     My only regret is to not have been versed in computer science 
     education earlier in my K-12 education.

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