[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 27844-27847]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 751) supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Chemistry Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 751

       Whereas chemistry is a vitally important field of science 
     and technology that has transformed the world and enhanced 
     and improved the quality of life around the globe;
       Whereas the power of the chemical sciences has created the 
     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 school age children, 
     about the important role of chemistry in society and to 
     enhance the appreciation of the chemical sciences;
       Whereas this year marks the 20th anniversary of National 
     Chemistry Week;
       Whereas the theme of National Chemistry Week in 2007, ``The 
     Many Faces of Chemistry'', was chosen to emphasize the 
     extensive variety of careers available in the world of 
     chemistry and to honor the tremendous diversity of people who 
     have contributed and will contribute to the advancement of 
     chemistry and all of its branches;
       Whereas, in order to ensure our Nation's global 
     competitiveness, our schools must cultivate the finest 
     scientists, engineers, and technicians from every background 
     and neighborhood in our society to create the innovations of 
     tomorrow that will keep our Nation strong;
       Whereas a disproportionately low number of minority, 
     underprivileged female students are pursuing careers in 
     science and technology, and it is crucial that we focus 
     attention on increasing the participation of these under 
     represented groups in science and technology fields; and
       Whereas, during the week of October 22, which is National 
     Chemistry Week, more than 10,000 National Chemistry Week 
     volunteers from industry, government and academia reach and 
     educate millions of children through hands-on science 
     activities in local schools, libraries, and museums: 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) recognizes the need to increase the number of Americans 
     from under represented groups participating in science and 
     technology fields like chemistry;
       (3) supports the goals of National Chemistry Week as 
     founded by the American Chemical Society; and
       (4) 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 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.

[[Page 27845]]




                             General Leave

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 751, the 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in strong support, Madam Speaker, of H. Res. 751, a 
resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry and honoring 
National Chemistry Week. I want to congratulate the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes) for introducing this important resolution.
  The importance of chemistry and chemical engineering in our lives 
cannot be overstated. These disciplines contribute to public health by 
helping to keep our water clean and our food pure. They contribute to 
advances in medicine through new biomaterials, drug design and drug 
delivery techniques. They help make cleaner and more efficient energy 
technologies possible, and they help keep toxins out of our home and 
our natural environment through the development of green chemicals and 
materials.
  In short, chemistry and chemical engineering contribute in 
immeasurable ways to the economic strength, security and well-being of 
our Nation and all of its citizens.
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week. 
National Chemistry Week was started as an annual event by the American 
Chemical Society in 1987 to make elementary and secondary school 
children 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 develop hands-on 
activities, provide demonstrations and develop exhibits. Through these 
activities, they help stimulate the interest of young people in science 
and in pursuing careers in science and technology.
  This Congress recently passed into law the America COMPETES Act. That 
bill was an important bipartisan effort to keep America competitive in 
the 21st century by supporting innovative research at universities and 
in industry, and by ensuring that there is a sufficient pipeline of 
students pursuing studies and careers in science and technology fields 
well into the future.
  The goals of the National Chemistry Week fit well with the goals 
outlined in the COMPETES Act.
  The theme of this year's National Chemistry Week is, ``The Many Faces 
of Chemistry.'' This theme emphasizes the diversity of chemistry 
careers, from science teacher to laboratory researcher, as well as the 
diversity of people in chemistry professions.
  While women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in 
chemical science fields, they have made important contributions to 
chemistry.
  Women received about one-third of all chemistry Ph.D.s in 2003. 
Hispanics and African Americans combined represent only 7 percent of 
all chemistry Ph.D.s awarded in 2003, even though they make up more 
than 25 percent of the entire U.S. population.
  We will need to make use of all the talent we have to stay 
competitive in the 21st century, but it isn't just a numbers game. The 
interaction and collaboration of diverse individuals with differing 
perspectives enriches the process of discovery and innovation and helps 
give the U.S. an edge over countries that easily beat us on numbers.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the American Chemical Society for its 
efforts to establish and sustain National Chemistry Week, and once 
again, I commend Mr. Reyes and his cosponsors for introducing this 
resolution and 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. 751.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 751, 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week, and I yield 
myself as much time as I may consume.
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week, a 
concept that was first introduced in 1987 by the American Chemical 
Society to educate Americans about the contribution chemists and 
chemistry have made to our society. We first celebrated National 
Chemistry Day on November 6, 1987, with a parade in Washington, DC. 
Because of the overwhelming enthusiasm for the day, 2 years later the 
concept was expanded to celebrate National Chemistry Week.
  The National Chemistry Week program is designed to reach out to the 
public, especially elementary and secondary school children, to foster 
an appreciation for chemistry. The theme of this year's celebration is, 
``The Many Faces of Chemistry,'' which is designed to educate the 
public on the many different types of careers in chemistry and the many 
different ways chemistry has contributed to our society.
  As a part of the activities for this week, the American Chemical 
Society has chosen to honor chemists working in the fields of 
biosensors, cosmetics, food, nutrition, dye, materials, natural 
products, and environmental processes, as well as chemists who work as 
teachers. These varied fields contribute to our society on a daily 
basis.
  For instance, biosensors may be used to test air quality, drinking 
water quality, help dentists find cavities, and test for biological and 
chemical weapons. Material chemists may work on ways to help make new 
products that are less harmful to the environment, such as making 
threads and plastic out of renewable biological materials. Nutritional 
chemists may develop products that contain more vitamins and minerals 
in an effort to make people healthier and fight malnutrition throughout 
the world.
  National Chemistry Week is intended to honor all of these 
contributions, as well as encourage our Nation's schools to cultivate 
the finest scientists, engineers and technicians from every background 
to ensure we remain globally competitive.
  This week, more than 10,000 National Chemistry Week volunteers from 
industry, government, and academia will reach out to educate millions 
of children across the country. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring them and these activities through the passage of this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests 
for time, and I ask my friend from Washington State if he has no 
further requests.
  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased that we are considering 
this resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of National Chemistry 
Week, which was established by the American Chemical Society to teach 
children about the chemical sciences. This year, the National Chemistry 
Week theme is ``The Many Faces of Chemistry,'' emphasizing the 
diversity of chemistry careers and the diversity of the individuals 
working in chemistry professions.
  Ensuring that our science and engineering workforce accurately 
reflects the diversity of our population is necessary for our country 
to succeed. But right now we are falling short. For example, Hispanic 
Americans constitute 12 percent of the population yet they represent 
less than three percent of the engineering and scientific community in 
the U.S.
  Last week the Research and Science Education Subcommittee heard 
testimony from a number of witnesses on the topic of gender equity 
within science and engineering faculty. Freeman Hrabowski, the 
president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus--a campus 
noted for recruiting and retaining both minority students and faculty--
remarked, ``Producing well-prepared scientists and engineers for our 
increasingly diverse workforce is perhaps our most important and 
lasting contribution to the Nation's economic development and national 
security.'' Furthermore, a 2004

[[Page 27846]]

survey of the ``top 50'' science engineering departments at U.S. 
universities revealed that there are few tenured and tenure-track women 
faculty in these departments in research universities, even though a 
growing number of women are completing their Ph.D.s, and that 
underrepresented minority women faculty are almost nonexistent.
  Clearly, we have a problem. I have often said that we are throwing 
away more than 40 percent of our workforce if we do not actively 
encourage more women and underrepresented minorities to consider these 
fields. The American Chemical Society is helping to draw more attention 
to this issue with the choice of this year's National Chemistry Week 
theme. ``The Many Faces of Chemistry'' recognizes the important 
contributions of chemical educators, scientists and engineers to 
technological progress and the health of many industries.
  I commend the American Chemical Society for stimulating the interest 
of ALL of our Nation's children in the chemical sciences so that they 
will consider careers in these fields and potentially discover the 
innovations of the future, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution recognizing the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 751, 
which recognizes National Chemistry Week. I am proud to support this 
resolution, as I have done in past years, which acknowledges the 
critical role chemistry plays in maintaining and improving our quality 
of life. I thank the gentleman from Texas, (Mr. Silvestre Reyes) for 
sponsoring this resolution and I thank the leadership for providing 
Members of Congress with the opportunity to show our support for this 
bill on the floor.
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week. 
Started by the American Chemical Society in 1987, this year's National 
Chemistry Week brings together businesses, schools, and nearly 200 ACS 
chapters to raise awareness of chemistry in our daily lives. Through 
aggressive outreach, hands-on demonstrations within local communities 
and laboratory open houses, National Chemistry Week engages millions of 
Americans, particularly elementary and secondary students, asking them 
to think about the how chemistry surrounds us all.
  National Chemistry Week's theme for 2007, ``The Many Faces of 
Chemistry,'' highlights the diverse roles chemistry professionals play 
in our society. From teaching in the classroom to conducting research 
in the laboratory, chemistry professionals provide countless services 
to society. ``The Many Faces of Chemistry'' is also a challenge to 
educators to promote diversity in chemistry and the sciences.
  Madam Speaker, while ACS organizes National Chemistry Week to 
celebrate the contributions of chemistry to the common good, as well as 
the progress in achieving diversity within the field, ACS is also 
issuing a challenge and a warning to Americans.
  Issues such as climate change and infectious disease pose threats not 
only to the United States, but also to the entire world. In order to 
solve these problems, we must insist that science education be a 
priority in our elementary and secondary schools to cultivate the next 
generation of scientists.
  Additionally, this year's National Chemistry Week reminds us that our 
work is not done promoting diversity within the sciences. While the 
number of women, African-Americans, and Hispanics earning advanced 
science and engineering degrees has increased, growth has stagnated 
recently, and these groups remain underrepresented, when compared to 
the general population. If the United States is to remain the locus of 
scientific research and innovation in an increasingly competitive 
global playing field, we must continue to broaden these groups.
  Once again I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing 
National Chemistry Week in 1987 and thank the organization for two 
decades of promoting science education. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution recognizing the goals and ideals of National Chemistry 
Week.
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 751, a 
resolution I have introduced supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Chemistry Week, which starts today, October 22, 2007.
  During the next 5 days, millions of people, particularly students in 
elementary and secondary schools, will be engaged in chemistry-related 
activities that show the importance of chemistry to our quality of 
life. With assistance from American Chemical Society, ACS, staff, 
thousands of volunteers will conduct these activities in venues from 
shopping malls, to classrooms, to university labs.
  National Chemistry Week was created by ACS in 1987 to draw attention 
to the positive contributions chemistry makes to our everyday lives. 
These contributions include helping feed, house, and clothe the world's 
population; tapping new energy sources; providing renewable substitutes 
for limited materials; improving public health; strengthening our 
national security; and protecting our environment.
  During this year's 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week, we 
are celebrating ``The Many Faces of Chemistry.'' This theme was chosen 
to emphasize the extensive variety of careers available in the world of 
chemistry and to honor the tremendous diversity of people who have 
contributed and will contribute to the advancement of chemistry and all 
of its branches. This year's theme takes added importance when you 
consider that a disproportionately low number of minority, 
underprivileged, and young women students are taking up careers in 
science and technology.
  The inclusion of women and under-represented minorities in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, STEM, is not just 
important to correct for historical employment inequities, but to 
provide under-represented minorities an opportunity for prosperity. The 
increased education and participation of this segment of the workforce 
is also essential to supplying the American economy with the STEM 
expertise the country needs to innovate and remain competitive. 
According to the U.S. Census, 39 percent of the population under the 
age of 18 is a racial or ethnic minority. That percentage is on a path 
to pass 50 percent by the year 2050. Yet, in 2000, only 4.4 percent of 
the science and engineering jobs were held by African Americans and 
only 3.4 percent by Hispanics. Women constitute over half of the post-
secondary students in the Nation, but represent a little more than one-
quarter of our science and engineering workforce. We must correct these 
disparities, and fast.
  This is not an issue of compromising high standards. If America is to 
achieve its strategic objectives in STEM, the enormous potential of 
groups that are currently under-represented in the STEM fields must be 
realized through expanded and focused educational opportunity. Some see 
tension between policies that focus resources on certain groups and the 
pursuit for excellence, but the simple truth is that the general 
achievement of excellence is strongly linked to the prevalence of 
opportunity.
  Scientists from these under-represented groups have demonstrated 
excellence through important contributions to our understanding of the 
environment and the sciences. Two notable examples include Mario 
Molina, an atmospheric chemist who received a Nobel Prize for his work 
establishing the link between CFCs and atmospheric ozone destruction, 
and Percy L. Julian, who was the first black chemist elected to the 
National Academy of Sciences and whose work in synthesizing a compound 
used to treat glaucoma led to his having been ranked by ACS as one of 
the top 75 Distinguished Contributors to the Chemical Enterprise.
  If we are to remain an innovative and economically competitive 
nation, the face of our high-tech workforce must reflect the true face 
of America. Our workforce will not be the best America has to offer if 
we do not ensure that we are taking advantage of all pools of domestic 
talent. ``The Many Faces of Chemistry'' theme is especially significant 
because it focuses on promoting diversity, which will help ensure 
national competitiveness by encouraging broad participation from all 
sources of talent in the sciences and chemistry.
  I thank the American Chemical Society for their work in promoting the 
chemical sciences and the important role of diversity. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, National Chemistry Week 
recognizes the importance of chemistry to our modern society. Chemistry 
is vital to the economy and the success of the Third District of 
Nebraska. Nebraska is known for its food, fiber, and fuel industries--
all of which rely on chemistry. Production of ethanol from corn and 
biomass, manufacture of biodiesel, and creation of safe and effective 
agricultural chemicals are all possible because of chemistry and 
chemists.
  More chemists are needed to continue these innovations that are so 
important to our rural economy. We have bright, young people in the 
Third District known for their great work ethic and Nebraska values, 
and who are sought after for jobs all over the world. We need to 
encourage our young people to succeed in careers in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM careers. 
They are needed in Nebraska and all over the United States. More 
outreach is needed to encourage the next generation to consider 
chemistry and other STEM careers.
  Students in chemistry clubs in Nebraska's Third District will perform 
outreach activities during National Chemistry Week. Students at 
Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, will give away ice cream and 
information on

[[Page 27847]]

chemistry at the Student Union this week. The Chemistry Club at the 
University of Nebraska-Kearney will have a ``Chemistry in Action'' 
demonstration table in the Student Union and will visit area middle and 
elementary schools where they will perform experiments for students, 
including ``pink slime'' and liquid nitrogen demonstrations. I want to 
commend these budding chemists for reaching out to their fellow 
students and for introducing children to the joys of chemistry. That is 
what National Chemistry Week is all about.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 751.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________