[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 180 (Thursday, December 5, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING KAMBRIDGE ELDER AND COSI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a heart full of pride to 
celebrate a little magic from my district in Columbus, Ohio, a place 
where innovation, creativity, and community come together.
  Today, that magic has an exciting connection to the U.S. Capitol 
Christmas Tree. What is the magic? The magic is the bright young mind 
of Kambridge Elder and the incredible work of COSI, the Center of 
Science and Industry.
  While I am here, I also want to encourage my colleagues to support 
the bipartisan National STEM Week Act because brighter futures don't 
happen by chance. They happen by choice.
  Let's start with the tree. This year's Capitol Christmas tree 
traveled over 4,000 miles from the breathtaking forests of Alaska to 
Washington, D.C., making 14 stops along the way. One of those special 
stops was in my congressional district, where the tree picked up an 
ornament designed by Kambridge Elder, a seventh grader in my district 
at the Arts IMPACT Middle School.
  Through a partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, COSI invited 
students from all 611 Ohio school districts to design ornaments 
inspired by the theme ``Building STEAM in Ohio.''
  STEAM--science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics--
isn't just a buzzword, Mr. Speaker. It is a foundation for progress.
  Kambridge's ornament, a train with four carts representing each of 
the STEAM elements, was inspired by a train at her school that she 
loves. Her ornament isn't just a decoration. It is a vision. It is a 
symbol of what happens when we invest in our children and give them the 
tools to dream big.
  Kambridge's story reminds us of the vital role institutions like COSI 
play in sparking curiosity, discovery, and innovation.
  Under the bold leadership of Dr. Frederic Bertley, COSI has become a 
powerhouse of education and inspiration, earning its title as the 
Nation's number one science museum 4 years in a row with USA Today 
Readers' Choice Awards. Forbes calls COSI ``a beacon of scientific 
engagement,'' and that is exactly what it is.
  From the COSI Science Festival to the wildly successful STEM Kit 
Program, COSI is making science accessible and exciting for families 
and kids--not just in Columbus, Mr. Speaker, but across the Nation.
  Kambridge's creativity, fueled by COSI's mission, is proof of what is 
possible when we nurture curiosity and celebrate imagination.
  That is why I am here to urge my colleagues to support the National 
STEM Week Act. This bipartisan bill, which I am a cosponsor of, will 
dedicate a week each year to highlighting the importance of STEM and 
STEAM education.
  It is about bringing together Federal, State, and local governments 
with schools, families, and organizations like COSI to close the 
knowledge gap holding too many of our children back.
  It is about giving every child, no matter their ZIP Code, a shot at a 
better future.
  It is about ensuring America remains a global leader by fostering 
creativity and problem-solving skills that drive innovation.
  It is about young people like Kambridge, who I hope is watching 
today, showing us what is possible when we invest in their potential.
  Mr. Speaker, when we look at the Capitol Christmas tree, let us 
remember that every ornament tells a story. Kambridge's ornament isn't 
just her story. It is ours.

  Let us commit to building a future where every child can dream, 
create, and achieve, securing their future and the future of this 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Kambridge Elder and her principal, her 
teachers, and her family for being a big support to her.

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