[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE COAST GUARD YOUTH STEM PROGRAMS EXPANSION ACT

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2019

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce an important 
bill, the Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act. This bill will 
allow the Coast Guard expanded authority to partner with the Department 
of Education and the Department of Defense to improve Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for America's 
elementary and secondary school students and their teachers.
  Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States--our 
prosperity and security--depends on an effective and inclusive STEM 
education ecosystem and workforce. Given the Coast Guard's mission of 
coastal defense and maritime law enforcement, daily activity relies 
significantly on STEM skills. The ability to work with the Department 
of Education and Department of Defense on youth STEM programs will 
increase exposure and engagement to the adventures and intriguing 
opportunities of the Coast Guard's mission.
  Specifically, the Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act will 
allow the Coast Guard to coordinate with the Department of Education to 
establish programs to improve STEM knowledge and skills for elementary 
and secondary school students and faculty. It will allow the Coast 
Guard to cooperate and coordinate with the Department of Defense, 
particularly through the very successful DOD STARBASE Program. It will 
also allow the Coast Guard to expand beyond traditional STEM skills to 
focus on expertise particularly important to their own mission, 
including limnology, marine science, and oceanography.
  Basic STEM concepts are best learned at an early age--in elementary 
and secondary school--and are the essential prerequisites for career 
technical training, advanced college-level and graduate study, and 
success in workplaces. With the range of federal agencies partnered to 
coordinate federal STEM initiatives, the Coast Guard too has a vested 
interest in advancing this important mission.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and its goal of expanding 
the Coast Guard's efforts to engage and expose American youth to vital 
STEM education and workforce skills.

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