[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 22876-22879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE AND POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHEMISTRY TO 
  OUR EVERYDAY LIVES AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                             CHEMISTRY WEEK

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 457) recognizing the importance and 
positive contributions of chemistry to our everyday lives and 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 457

       Whereas chemistry is at the core of every technology we 
     benefit from today;
       Whereas the power of the chemical sciences is what they 
     create as a whole; an enabling infrastructure that delivers 
     the foods, fuels, medicines, and materials that are the 
     hallmarks of modern life;
       Whereas the contributions of chemical scientists and 
     engineers are central to technological progress and to the 
     health of many industries, including the chemical, 
     pharmaceutical, electronics, agricultural, automotive, and 
     aerospace sectors, and these contributions boost economic 
     growth, create new jobs, and improve our health and standard 
     of living;
       Whereas the American Chemical Society, the world's largest 
     scientific society, founded National Chemistry Week in 1987 
     to educate the public, particularly elementary and secondary 
     school children, about the role of chemistry in society and 
     to enhance students' appreciation of the chemical sciences;
       Whereas National Chemistry Week is a community-based public 
     awareness campaign conducted by more than 10,000 volunteers 
     in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico;
       Whereas National Chemistry Week volunteers from United 
     States industry, government, secondary schools, and 
     institutions of higher education reach and educate millions 
     of children through hands-on science activities in local 
     schools, libraries, and museums;
       Whereas the theme of National Chemistry Week in 2005, ``The 
     Joy of Toys'', was chosen to emphasize the chemistry involved 
     in the creation and production of toys and the role that 
     chemistry has played in new material development that has 
     helped to make toys safer and more durable; and
       Whereas in recognition of National Chemistry Week, 
     volunteers across the United States will teach children about 
     the chemistry involved with the materials, function, and 
     properties of toys during the week beginning October 16, 
     2005: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that the important contributions of chemical 
     scientists and engineers to technological progress and the 
     health of many industries have created new jobs, boosted 
     economic growth, and improved the Nation's health and 
     standard of living;
       (2) supports the goals of National Chemistry Week as 
     founded by the American Chemical Society; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     National Chemistry Week with appropriate recognition, 
     ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the 
     importance of chemistry to our everyday lives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to

[[Page 22877]]

include extraneous material on H. Res. 457, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 457, a 
resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry and honoring 
National Chemistry Week.
  The importance of chemistry in our lives cannot be overstated. As H. 
Res. 457 recognizes, advances in chemistry impact every one of us, from 
the creation of a safer child's toy to the search for potential cures 
for cancer. Without a fundamental understanding of the chemistry that 
undergirds all modern technologies and products, we would not have the 
success of space travel or the promise of nanotechnol-
ogy.
  Those who work in the chemical sciences are as important as the 
products that they produce. Chemical scientists are vital to numerous 
industries, including the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and automotive 
sectors. This large and diverse workforce is composed of millions of 
Americans who work to maintain our global leadership in these and other 
areas.
  In addition, the United States has a history of success in the 
chemical sciences. Since 1992, every Nobel Prize in chemistry has 
included at least one scientist from the United States. Most recently, 
the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to two American 
scientists for developing a chemical process that has resulted in the 
production of cheaper and more environmentally friendly products.
  Yet future accolades and our continued global and economic leadership 
depend on our ability to inspire the next generation of chemical 
scientists and engineers.
  It is for this reason that H. Res. 457 celebrates the goals and 
ideals of National Chemistry Week. This week, children of all ages will 
be exposed to the wonders of chemistry. This year's theme, The Joy of 
Toys, was chosen to highlight the impact of chemistry on the creation 
and improvement of toys. Why do rubber balls bounce and why do paper 
boats float are just some of the interesting questions that will be 
explored through hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

                              {time}  1415

  These activities will both educate and inspire participants by 
creating a fun atmosphere in which to understand the role of chemistry 
in our daily lives.
  In conclusion, I thank the American Chemical Society for its ongoing 
efforts to educate children and adults about the benefits of chemistry. 
I would also like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for their steadfast leadership 
on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the importance of chemistry in our daily lives and the positive impact 
of National Chemistry Week by voting in favor of H. Res. 457.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 457 to recognize 
National Chemistry Week. I want to congratulate the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Holt) for introducing this important resolution which 
highlights the importance of chemistry and chemical engineering.
  Chemistry and chemical engineering affect the everyday lives of all 
Americans. For example, these disciplines contribute to public health 
through new biomaterials, drug design, drug delivery techniques, and 
gene therapy. For decades, they have also contributed to public health 
by helping to keep our water clean and our food pure. In addition, new 
structural and electronic materials and advanced technologies that 
improve energy utilization and transportation systems improve our work 
and home lives. In short, chemistry and chemical engineering contribute 
in critical ways to the economic strength, security and well-being of 
the Nation and all its citizens.
  National Chemistry Week was started as an annual event in 1987 by the 
American Chemical Society. It sponsors activities to make elementary 
and secondary schoolchildren and the general public more aware of what 
chemistry is and its importance to our everyday lives. National 
Chemistry Week activities are carried out by local sections of the 
American Chemical Society located in all parts of our Nation.
  They work with local industry, schools and museums to design hands-on 
activities, provide chemical demonstrations and develop exhibits. By 
these means, the local organizations provide opportunities to stimulate 
the interest of young people in science and in pursuing careers in 
science and technology, and the activities of National Chemistry Week 
help advance the important goal of increasing public understanding of 
science generally.
  For 2005, the theme of National Chemistry Week is ``The Joy of 
Toys.'' This will emphasize how chemistry has led to safer and more 
durable toys through advances in materials science and will also 
illustrate chemical principles and concepts through toys.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the American Chemical Society for its 
efforts to establish and sustain National Chemistry Week. I am a 
cosponsor of this resolution to recognize the value of chemistry and 
the goals of National Chemistry Week. I ask for its adoption by the 
House.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker I would like to thank the leadership for 
bringing this bill to the floor, recognizing the importance of 
chemistry in our everyday lives, and supporting National Chemistry 
Week. The gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Ehlers, has been a strong 
supporter as an original cosponsor of this bill and helped to move it 
forward. Mr. Ehlers and I do this again as the two physicists in 
Congress, with no irony that again we physicists would be sponsoring 
National Chemistry Week.
  I stand here before you happy to state that in 2003, the last time 
this body recognized the importance of chemistry in our daily lives, 
and the importance of National Chemistry Week, I had 3 cosponsors, and 
this year I have 21 cosponsors. With the world unfolding as it is, and 
with great rapidity, the increase of cosponsors is an indication of the 
growing understanding of the importance of chemistry, and science, in 
our daily lives.


             JOY OF TOYS THEME FOR NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

  The American Chemical Society should be commended for establishing 
National Chemistry Week in 1987, to raise the awareness of the 
chemistry in our daily lives, now in its eighteenth year. In particular 
this year's theme of the ``Joy of Toys'', supports the universality of 
chemistry and its creations, for each of us has played, and I hope 
continues to play, with toys. Every child on this planet of ours, 
regardless of location, does several things growing up: we are innate 
explorers of this world, and we play.
  To watch children at play re-ignites in us the joy and wonder that we 
experienced as we played with toys and created our world understanding. 
As we grow and learn our toys match our intellectual growth and our 
physical capabilities. The curiosity that toys ignite through the 
queries of ``why did it do that? ``and ``how did that happen?'' 
invigorates the exploration and discovery of the world around us. Many 
scientists and engineers turn to toys for moments of respite and 
inspiration. Innovation in technology at times can be traced back to 
moments with toys.
  In fact, BusinessWeek Online ran an article with the subtitle 
``Toymakers are pushing the boundaries in artificial intelligence, 
wireless communications, and virtual realities. And the benefits are 
flowing to other industries as well.'' The military, the medical field, 
gamers, chemists, chemical engineers, and material scientists all 
connect to the toy industry. Chemists and material scientists have 
created such material as self-healing plastics, prolonging the life of 
toys and many consumer goods.
  Toys spark the imagination, imaginations fuels innovation. Chemistry 
is a science which is the backbone to the health of many industries 
including pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive, agricultural, and 
aerospace. A fundamental piece of chemistry is the periodic table of 
the elements, a simple chart whose intricacies determine how atoms bond 
to create the world around us.

[[Page 22878]]




   ELEMENTS OFF THE PERIODIC TABLE AND THEIR INNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES

  The element hydrogen, the first element on the periodic table and the 
most abundant element in the universe, has sparked innovation in fuel 
cells. Hydrogen and oxygen are the fundamental elements involved in 
fuel cells, an alternative energy source with both low and high 
temperature functions. Low temperature fuels cells, which work similar 
to batteries, are being developed for cell phones, laptops, and video 
cameras. Yet innovations still await the future scientists and 
engineers of America, as we do not yet know how to make sufficient 
quantities of hydrogen available, and the tasks of making this a 
completely clean energy have yet to be fully surmounted to produce 
commercial goods.
  Fluorine, element #9 on the periodic table, is found in toothpaste 
and liquid crystals found in flat-screen televisions, to give higher 
resolution, good brightness, and sharp contrast with about half the 
power consumption! Yet on the frontier of innovation are organic light 
emitting diodes, which would require far less power and allow us to 
roll up the screens for our laptops! There is much creativity and 
unbounded vision necessary for the new products to follow.
  The high tech fiber industry has taken science fiction into fashion 
by creating keyboards in shirtsleeves powered by a thermogenerator chip 
that converts your body heat into power. More conventionally, 
microfibers are found in fabrics advertised to breathe with you and 
they stay dry in the rain. Flame-resistant micro fibers found in your 
curtains, your couches, and your carpets make your home safer. Chemists 
are now adding titanium dioxide to fabric to make the fabric UV 
resistant, thus protecting you even further from damaging UV rays. The 
innovation continues!
  The extent to which chemistry and the products, processes, and 
thinking that chemists create and modify affect our daily lives is 
undeniable.


            CHANGING WORLD & ECONOMY: MOVING AMERICA FORWARD

  However, Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate a fundamental science and its 
engineering applications, we must not forget how these innovative 
processes and products came to us--through the work of Americans and 
people who came to America to work.
  Today we are facing a world that is described by Thomas Friedman as 
flat; that is, the playing field has reasonably flattened, all 
countries and companies can be at times perceived as on the same level. 
America has to find its place in this new world, and we must do this 
rapidly for our economic future.
  The goals of National Chemistry week include the invigoration of the 
curiosity of our youth in chemistry. We must enliven our students to 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We need teachers to 
share the joy of science, technology, engineering, and math to our 
students. We ourselves must reflect the necessity and importance of 
these fields, and the teaching of these fields, to the future of 
America through legislation and action. Today is a good start to the 
action which is required.
  We must rise up as nation, similarly to the Sputnik era, where there 
was a goal to have a superior technical workforce, second to none in 
engineering and science. I raise a hand to move forward with caution, 
however, as the Sputnik era, I feel, left behind too many Americans. We 
focused on a segment of the population. Now we must aim to create a 
scientifically and technically literate nation of citizens who apply 
critical, creative, and innovative thinking to their work and their 
everyday lives.


    INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE: EDUCATION, R & D, ATTRACTING BEST & 
                               BRIGHTEST

  We begin this through improving our nation's investment in the 
future. The prime investment any nation can make in its future is 
investing in education. Teachers create our future, through educating 
our youth and opening their minds and hearts to the world, and we owe 
nothing less to our future, our youth, then to invest fully in them. We 
must enable a teaching core whose education and teaching skills are 
strong, flexible, and motivating. If we wish our students to rise to 
college level and beyond, we should expect nothing less from their 
teachers, and offer the same support for teachers to reach the highest 
level of educational achievement.
  Further investment in America's future must be into research and 
development. Each product I mentioned today went through a period of 
research and development. The future of America, like its past, will 
not be handed to America. As our forefathers did so long ago, we will 
work hard and create the country in which we will live. Research and 
development is part of the hard work, the investment in the future. We 
must additionally make it easier for companies to invest time, energy, 
and finances into research and development, as there is often loss with 
unsuccessful innovation.
  We must make our country an attractive location for the best and 
brightest scientists and engineers to live and to work. We must invest 
in infrastructures including that of research and development, the 
institutions and physical structures, the U.S. Patent office, the U.S. 
Department of Immigration, and in the National Science Foundation.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged at the level of support for 
National Chemistry Week, and the ideals and standards which the ``Joy 
of Toys'' represents. I also stand before you all with the expectation 
that we will carry forward these ideals and invest in America's future 
through education, research, development, and creative vision.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased that we are considering 
this resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry in our everyday 
lives. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National 
Chemistry Week. It recognizes the important contributions of chemical 
scientists and engineers to technological progress and the health of 
many industries. In addition, it encourages the people of the United 
States to observe National Chemistry Week, which, this year, is October 
16-22.
  Two weeks ago, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three 
organic chemists--one of them a former Michigan State University 
professor--for their work to reduce hazardous waste in forming new 
chemicals. Their method of organic synthesis, called ``metathesis'', 
allows carbon bonds to be broken and reformed to create new compounds. 
Their pioneering work has resulted in more efficient, safe and cleaner 
methods of synthesizing new materials and is appropriately classified 
as ``Green Chemistry.''
  One of these three Nobel Prize winners, Richard Schrock of MIT, noted 
he became interested in chemistry when he was given a chemistry set as 
an 8-year-old, and at first liked to ``blow things up.'' His experience 
parallels the 2005 theme of National Chemistry Week, ``The Joy of 
Toys,'' which was chosen to highlight the valuable role curiosity plays 
in developing critical thinking.
  I believe there are three main motivations for doing science: (1) The 
practical need to control, (2) the intellectual urge to understand, and 
(3) the aesthetic need to enjoy. I believe that the third of these 
motivations is the strongest, the one that drives the curiosity of 
young people and future chemists. That enjoyment is often stimulated by 
the process of playing: the simple action of enjoying a toy that does 
something fun or unexpected.
  When a child plays with a toy, unexplainable behavior leads to 
questions about the underlying nature of a machine and drives a child 
to perhaps, like the Nobel Prize winner, deconstruct a toy in an effort 
to understand it. Getting to the bottom of how something works is, at 
its very nature, a scientific enterprise. Natural curiosity drives 
innovative thinking, improvements, and discovery. At a time when our 
workforce is in great need of increased scientific and mathematic 
literacy, it is important to stimulate children's interest in the 
chemical sciences so that they will consider careers in these fields 
and potentially discover the innovations of the future. What better way 
to stimulate interest than something fun?
  Toys not only make us laugh, they give our minds a chance to view the 
world in a different way. Chemists provide the substance of toys 
through materials chemistry and ensure their safety for contact with 
our skin and in our children's mouths through analytical testing.
  I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing National 
Chemistry Week in 1987. During this year's National Chemistry Week, 
volunteers from across the United States will engage children in 
understanding how toys work. Chemistry is used by the pharmaceutical, 
biotechnology, agricultural and plastics industries to produce drugs, 
advanced plastics, herbicides, fuel additives and other substances. 
Chemistry supports our economic infrastructure and improves our lives--
and it is fun!
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution recognizing the goals 
and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
H. Res. 457. This bill recognizes the importance of chemistry in our 
everyday lives and supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry 
Week.
  The theme of National Chemistry Week for 2005 is ``The Joy of Toys.'' 
This seemingly comical name belies the hard work and amazing 
developments in materials science that have gone into the production of 
safer and more durable toys for children of all ages.
  Children have a wide array of choices when it comes to modern toys. 
Gone are the days of making one's own toys out of sticks and stones. 
Chemistry has yielded materials that

[[Page 22879]]

are non-toxic and harbor fewer germs than before. Chemistry has helped 
develop crazy-shaped materials in colors that change, depending on 
temperature.
  I admire the work of countless chemists, engineers and materials 
scientists that has produced marvels for the delight of children and 
the benefit of society.
  Mr. Speaker, today I am happy to celebrate National Chemistry Week 
and urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 457.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 457.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________