[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9025]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 44TH INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY 
                                OLYMPIAD

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 491, submitted 
earlier today by Senators Coons and Boozman.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 491) commending the participants in 
     the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad and recognizing the 
     importance of education in the fields of science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics to the future of the United 
     States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 491) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 491

       Whereas the global economy of the future will require a 
     workforce that is educated in the fields of science, 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``STEM'');
       Whereas the science of chemistry is vital to the 
     improvement of human life because chemistry has the power to 
     transform;
       Whereas chemistry improves human lives by providing 
     critical solutions to global challenges involving safe food, 
     water, transportation, and products, alternate sources of 
     energy, improved health, and a healthy and sustainable 
     environment;
       Whereas the International Chemistry Olympiad is an annual 
     competition for the most talented secondary school chemistry 
     students in the world that seeks to stimulate interest in 
     chemistry through creative problem solving;
       Whereas the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad will be 
     held at the University of Maryland, College Park from July 21 
     through 30, 2012;
       Whereas more than 70 countries and nearly 300 students will 
     compete in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad in 
     theoretical and practical examinations covering analytical 
     chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic 
     chemistry, physical chemistry, and spectroscopy;
       Whereas the objective of the International Chemistry 
     Olympiad is to promote international relationships in STEM 
     education (particularly in chemistry), cooperation among 
     students, and the exchange of pedagogical and scientific 
     experience in STEM education;
       Whereas STEM education at the secondary school level is 
     critically important to the future of the United States; and
       Whereas the students who will compete in the International 
     Chemistry Olympiad deserve recognition and support for their 
     efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) welcomes the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad to 
     the United States;
       (2) recognizes the need to encourage young people to pursue 
     careers in the fields of science (including chemistry), 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
       (3) commends the University of Maryland, College Park for 
     hosting and the American Chemical Society for organizing the 
     44th International Chemistry Olympiad.

                          ____________________