[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2011

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of my 
colleagues to the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). This 
initiative, focusing on recommendations put forth by the National 
Academies of Science's 2005 report, ``Rising above the Gathering 
Storm,'' seeks to enhance science and technology enterprise in the 
United States. Specifically, NMSI and the National Academies argue that 
the most effective way to do this is to dramatically improve K-12 math 
and science education. They will achieve this end through increasing 
the production of more, and more effective, math and science educators, 
strengthening the skills of existing classroom teachers through 
training programs, and expanding the pipeline of students with the 
desire and preparation to pursue science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics (STEM) in higher education.
  As the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Ranking Member, I have 
had the opportunity to hear witnesses testify to the incredible 
discoveries and innovations currently underway to address some of our 
nation's most pressing concerns--energy security, global climate change 
and human health and development. These same experts have repeated the 
same refrain--absent a significant change in course, the United States 
is poised to lose our global supremacy in scientific discovery and 
enterprise. I am greatly encouraged that NMSI has taken on this 
challenge and is engaging a diverse range of partners to develop a new 
generation of mathematicians, engineers and researchers.
  I would specifically like to take this opportunity to recognize one 
of NMSI's founding sponsors, the ExxonMobil Foundation. In a show of 
great community-mindedness and corporate responsibility, ExxonMobil has 
committed $125 million to NMSI. These funds, among other purposes, will 
go to increase access to and successful completion of Advanced 
Placement courses in the nation's high schools. I have long been an 
advocate of the AP program, and other efforts to increase rigor and 
college-readiness for all students in all schools. I am grateful to 
have such a partner, and to have the opportunity to engage with NMSI, 
ExxonMobil and others committed to addressing this critical question of 
global competitiveness.
  Difficult budget times call for creative solutions and I believe it 
would serve Members of this body well to turn attention to these 
innovative public-private partnerships which serve our nation's young 
people and economic future well.

                          ____________________