[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE SUPPORTING DIVERSE STEM STUDENTS ACT

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                           HON. ALMA S. ADAMS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2022

  Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, today, I am proudly introducing the 
bipartisan Supporting Diverse STEM Students Act, along with my 
colleagues, Representatives Fitzpatrick, Sewell, and Turner.
  I am especially proud to do so during my 5th Annual HBCU STEAM Days 
of Action, a time where hundreds of participants from HBCUs, advocacy 
organizations, technology companies, and industry leaders meet with 
Republican and Democratic Members of Congress. They're here to advocate 
for equitable federal resources to make sure that every talented 
student has access to world class science, technology, engineering, 
arts, and math education.
  We know that a well-prepared workforce--inclusive of America's 
diverse communities--is necessary for cultivating our United States' 
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM, capacity.
  However, underrepresented minority students are disproportionally 
left behind in their STEM studies. Researchers find over a third of 
Black and Latino students switch out of their STEM majors before 
earning their degree, in part due to a lack of access to the academic 
resources that traditionally help support students to completion.
  This bill focuses on supporting those diverse STEM students into 
career success by supporting institutions that predominantly serve 
minority students in their capacity to provide direct scholarships and 
comprehensive wraparound services, such as academic advising and 
tutoring, work-study, and undergraduate research opportunities.
  As the United States continues to support the cultivation of our STEM 
talent, we must help better provide the resources that help retain, 
prepare, and promote the success of underrepresented and diverse 
students in STEM.

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