[House Report 108-465]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



108th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     108-465

======================================================================



 
 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN MATH AND SCIENCE 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2004

                                _______
                                

 April 20, 2004.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Boehlert, from the Committee on Science, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 4030]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 
4030) to establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding 
Contributions in Math and Science Education program to 
recognize private entities for their outstanding contributions 
to elementary and secondary science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics education, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill 
as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................2
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................2
  IV. Summary of Hearing..............................................3
   V. Committee Actions...............................................4
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................4
 VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)..............5
VIII. Committee Views.................................................7
  IX. Cost Estimate...................................................7
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................8
  XI. Compliance With Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............9
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................9
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........9
 XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement..............................9
  XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................9
 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act................................9
XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........9
XVIII.Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported...........9

 XIX. Committee Recommendations......................................10
  XX. Proceedings of the Subcommittee Markup.........................11
 XXI. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup.......................33

                              I. Amendment

  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Medal for Outstanding 
Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the National Science Foundation.
          (2) Elementary school and secondary school.--The terms 
        ``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the meaning 
        given those terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of the bill is to establish a program at the 
National Science Foundation to recognize outstanding private 
sector contributions in science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics education at the elementary and secondary school 
levels.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    There are clear indications that the U.S. educational 
system is not equipped to help today's students meet the 
demands of postsecondary education or the modern workplace. For 
example, the most recent National Assessment for Educational 
Progress found that 31 percent of 4th graders, 34 percent of 
8th graders and 35 percent of 12th graders are unable to 
demonstrate even partial mastery of the knowledge and skills 
that are fundamental for proficient work in mathematics for 
their age and grade. In addition, the 1999 Third International 
Mathematics and Science Study found that U.S. students in their 
final year of high school rank among the lowest achieving of 
all participants, ahead of only Cyprus and South Africa.
    As a result, many high school graduates are not prepared 
for college-level work. In what they characterized as a ``lost 
opportunity,'' the National Commission on the High School 
Senior Year found that 70 percent of students enroll in college 
immediately after high school, but more than a quarter require 
remedial education in basic subjects like reading, mathematics 
and writing. In addition, the study found that only 20-25 
percent of graduating high school seniors complete enough upper 
level mathematics classes to be able to continue their 
education in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. 
Even among those who intend to major in a science or 
engineering field, one-third drop out of the program before 
they complete their bachelor's degree.
    Those with a high school diploma or its equivalency--and 
those who leave high school short of completing the program--
are at an even greater disadvantage in the modern workplace. As 
recently as two decades ago, a high school diploma was the 
ticket to the middle class. Those days, and those jobs, are 
disappearing from the U.S. employment landscape. Today, most 
entry-level jobs require an understanding of increasingly 
complex math and science applications. An automobile worker, 
according to an industry-wide standard, needs to be able to 
apply physics formulas to properly wire the electrical circuits 
of a car. And janitors at a hospital often have to understand 
bio-hazardous materials waste management. Yet, most employers 
rate the performance of high school graduates in grammar and 
spelling, reading, and the ability to apply and use science and 
math as fair or poor.
    The private sector is becoming more involved in education 
reform. Businesses and other private entities are collaborating 
with schools to integrate state-of-the-art applications of math 
and science principles into curricula and to provide insight 
into the work of scientists and engineers. Businesses have 
begun to provide such services as teacher training, classroom 
materials, field trips, guest lecturers, and opportunities to 
participate in internships or job shadowing programs. For 
schools, these relationships can result in additional funding 
and equipment, and they can contribute to overall student 
achievement. For businesses, they can improve employee morale, 
build customer loyalty and ultimately provide a talent base for 
the recruitment of future employees. And for students, private 
sector involvement can improve attitudes about education and 
provides math and science experience in a real-world context.
    Private sector interest and involvement in these efforts is 
growing. A 2000 study by the National Association of Partners 
in Education, Inc. noted that the number and scope of school-
business partnerships have increased significantly in the past 
12 years, with nearly 70 percent of all school districts 
engaging in some form of relationship with the private sector.

                         IV. Summary of Hearing

    On March 30, 2004, the Research Subcommittee of the 
Committee on Science held a hearing to examine the benefits of 
business involvement in science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics education. Witnesses provided comments on and 
recommendations for additions to H.R. 4030, Congressional Medal 
for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act 
of 2004, introduced by Research Subcommittee Chairman Nick 
Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson on March 25, 
2004. The Subcommittee heard testimony from Dr. Judith Ramaley, 
Assistant Director for Education and Human Resources at the 
National Science Foundation; Mr. Jay Engeln, Resident 
Practitioner for Business-School Partnerships at the National 
Association of Secondary School Principals; Mr. Torrence 
Robinson, Director of Public Affairs at Texas Instruments; Ms. 
Antoinette Bailey, Vice President of Community and Education 
Relations at The Boeing Company; and Mr. Gus Krudwig, Co-
Founder of the Glou Factory, a non-profit youth education 
center in Jackson, Michigan. Witnesses described their reasons 
for getting involved in partnerships between schools and the 
private sector, and they discussed the importance of private 
sector involvement in efforts to inspire and to develop future 
scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

                          V. Committee Actions

    On March 25, 2004, Research Subcommittee Chairman Nick 
Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced H.R. 
4030, Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Math 
and Science Education Act of 2004, a bill to establish a 
program at the National Science Foundation to recognize and 
disseminate information on outstanding private sector 
contributions to science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics education.
    The Research Subcommittee of the Committee on Science met 
on March 30, 2004 to consider the bill. An amendment in the 
nature of a substitute was offered by Chairman Smith, which 
made technical changes to the bill and clarified that women and 
minorities are included among those for whom evidence of 
improved student achievement would be given priority 
consideration. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
    Ms. Johnson moved that the Subcommittee report the bill, 
H.R. 4030, as amended, to the full Committee, and moved to 
instruct the staff to make technical and conforming amendments 
and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the 
bill before the Committee on Science for consideration. With a 
quorum present, the motion was agreed to by voice vote.
    The Committee on Science met on March 31, 2004, to consider 
the bill, as amended by the Subcommittee. An amendment in the 
nature of a substitute was offered by Chairman Boehlert, which 
made technical changes to the bill and added a new section to 
amend NSF reporting requirements to stagger the release of two 
statutorily required biennial reports unrelated to the program 
established by H.R. 4030. The amendment was adopted by voice 
vote.
    Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the 
bill, H.R. 4030, as amended, to the House of Representatives 
with the recommendation that the bill as amended do pass, and 
that the staff be instructed to make technical and conforming 
changes to the bill as amended and prepare the legislative 
report and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring 
the bill before the House for consideration. With a quorum 
present, the motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

     Requires the Director of the National Science 
Foundation to establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding 
Contributions in Math and Science Education program to 
recognize outstanding private sector contributions in science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics in elementary and 
secondary schools, to encourage additional private sector 
involvement in these areas, and to disseminate information 
about Medal recipients.
     Requires the Director to name up to 40 finalists 
and up to 10 Medal recipients annually and to distribute 
information on the Medal recipients broadly, including to 
schools, private entities and the general public.
     Limits eligibility for the Medal to private 
entities that have worked (alone or in partnership with for-
profit or nonprofit entities) to help students, teachers, 
administrators and other school staff to improve student 
achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics 
for at least two years.
     Requires the Director to establish a system for 
accepting applications. Requires applications to include at 
least two letters of support. Requires the Director to give 
priority consideration in selecting finalists and Medal 
recipients to those with evidence of improved student 
achievement, including improved achievement of women, 
minorities and persons with disabilities.
     Authorizes such sums as are necessary for carrying 
out the Act, from within amounts already authorized by the 
National Science Foundation Act of 2002.

        VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)


Sec. 1. Short title

    ``Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math 
and Science Education Act of 2004.''

Sec. 2. Definitions

    Defines terms used in the text.

Sec. 3. Establishment of program

    Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to 
establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions 
in Math and Science Education program, which shall be designed 
to:
          (1) Recognize private entities for outstanding 
        efforts supporting elementary and secondary schools in 
        improving student achievement in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics;
          (2) Encourage private entities to support elementary 
        and secondary schools to improve and underscore the 
        importance of science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics education; and
          (3) Distribute information about the gold medal 
        recipients available to schools, institutions of higher 
        education, educators, parents, administrators, 
        policymakers, researchers, public and private entities, 
        and the general public.

Sec. 4. Medals

    (a) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director 
to annually name finalists according to the following criteria:
          (1) Not more than 20 private entities with more than 
        500 employees; and
          (2) Not more than 20 private entities with 500 or 
        fewer employees.
    Specifies that each finalist shall receive a citation 
describing the basis for the entity achieving status as a 
finalist.
    (b) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director 
to annually award medals to employers who are among the 
finalists in (a) according to the following criteria:
          (1) Not more than 5 private entities with more than 
        500 employees; and
          (2) Not more than 5 private entities with 500 or 
        fewer employees.
    (c) Distribution of information
          (1) Requires the Director to distribute information 
        about the Congressional Medal recipients to schools, 
        institutions of higher education, educators, parents, 
        administrators, policymakers, researchers, public and 
        private entities, and the general public; and
          (2) Allows any entity that is a finalist or receives 
        a medal to use such information for advertising or 
        other publicity purposes.

Sec. 5. Eligibility

    Makes any private entity that has, either alone or in 
partnership with for-profit and/or nonprofit entities, assisted 
students, teachers, administrators, or other support staff in 
improving student achievement in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics in a school or community eligible 
to receive a medal. Requires the entity to be involved in a 
sustained manner for at least two years with at least one 
elementary or secondary school.

Sec. 6. Application

    Requires the Director to establish a system for accepting 
applications from entities seeking to be considered for the 
medal. Requires applications to include at least two letters of 
support, which may come from teachers, support staff, 
administrators, professional or business organizations, local, 
county, or State Departments of Education, and any other 
categories of persons or organizations as designated by the 
Director.

Sec. 7. Selection

    Requires the Director to give priority consideration to 
evidence of improved student achievement in selecting entities 
to receive medals, including improved student achievement by 
women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Requires the 
Director to consider, in addition to any other criteria the 
Director may establish:
          (1) Evidence of innovative approaches to increase 
        interest by students in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics by students, including 
        women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. One 
        such measure may be an increase in the number of 
        students enrolled in advanced courses related to such 
        fields;
          (2) Evidence of employee interaction with students or 
        teachers to support and improve mathematics and science 
        learning;
          (3) Evidence of success in positively influencing 
        student attitudes and promoting education and career 
        opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics;
          (4) Evidence of successful outreach to students, 
        parents, and the community regarding the importance of 
        mathematics and science education to the Nation's 
        prosperity, job creation, and standard of living, as 
        well as future earning potential for the individual; 
        and
          (5) Evidence of a strong and sustained commitment to 
        the students and schools.

Sec. 8. Biennial report

    Changes the deadline for completion of the National Science 
Foundation report on women and minorities in science and 
engineering from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years.

Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations

    For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, authorizes such 
sums as are necessary for carrying out this Act, to be derived 
from amounts authorized by the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2002.

                         VIII. Committee Views

    The purpose of the Act is to encourage more private sector 
involvement with public schools. The Act seeks to accomplish 
this through at least three means--by having the Federal 
government recognize the value of private sector contributions; 
by having the Federal government disseminate widely information 
on successful collaborations; and by allowing winners of the 
new Medal mention the award in advertisements and other 
promotional materials.
    With that in mind, the Committee expects the Director to 
ensure, to the extent practicable, that awards recognize 
collaborations in a wide range of school districts--large and 
small, rich and poor, rural suburban and urban--and in a wide 
range of geographic areas.
    The Committee also expects the Director to commission a 
design for the award that will reflect the prestige of these 
awards. The Committee notes that the word ``Medal'' is not 
meant to limit the design of the Award, whether it be a medal, 
plaque, trophy or other object.
    The Act allows awards to be given to private sector 
entities whose collaboration is part of a Federal program, such 
as the Math and Science Partnerships. However, the Committee 
expects all applicants to demonstrate evidence of their own 
contributions and commitment to the partnership effort.
    The Act requires the Director to establish a system for 
accepting applications, and it requires applicants to include 
letters of support from two of several categories of persons 
and organizations. The Committee expects these letters to come 
from those with personal knowledge of or experience with the 
private sector entity and the school. The Act also provides 
general selection criteria, such as evidence of positively 
influencing attitudes and promoting career opportunities in 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics. While 
additional criteria may be developed to aid in the selection of 
finalists and Medal recipients, the Act requires priority 
consideration for those applicants that demonstrate evidence of 
improved student achievement. The legislation specifies that 
improved achievement by traditionally underrepresented 
students, such as women, minorities, and persons with 
disabilities, is also to be considered in providing this 
priority.
    The Committee expects the Director to establish the 
necessary processes and mechanisms to ensure the success of the 
program, which may include workshops to develop the program 
design, conferences to encourage collaboration between the 
private sector and schools, and a national recognition ceremony 
for Medal recipients.

                           IX. Cost Estimate

    A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to 
the Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and 
is included in Section X of this report pursuant to House Rule 
XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
    H.R. 4030 does not contain new budget authority, credit 
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming 
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 
4030 does not authorize additional discretionary spending, as 
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the 
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.

              X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, April 8, 2004.

Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert,
Chairman, Committee on Science,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4030, the 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act of 2004.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Kathleen 
Gramp.
            Sincerely,
                                       Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 4030--Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math 
        and Science Education Act of 2004

    H.R. 4030 would establish a Congressional medal to be 
awarded to private entities that have made significant 
contributions to improving the achievements of elementary or 
secondary students in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics. Under the bill, a total of 10 medals would be 
awarded annually by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 
Funding for the program would be derived from amounts 
authorized for NSF activities in the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368). That 
act authorized appropriations of $7.4 billion for fiscal year 
2005, $8.5 billion for 2006, and $9.8 billion for 2007.
    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4030 would have no 
significant budgetary impact and would not affect direct 
spending or revenues. Under this bill, the amounts authorized 
to be appropriated for NSF would remain at the levels specified 
in Public Law 107-368, but the scope of the authorized 
activities would be expanded to include the cost of 
administering this new program. According to NSF, those costs 
would be about $500,000 a year.
    H.R. 4030 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would not affect the budgets of state, local, and tribal 
governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kathleen Gramp. 
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy 
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

        XI. Compliance With Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)

    H.R. 4030 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The Committee on Science's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

      XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of 
H.R. 4030 are to, through the establishment of a Congressional 
medal of recognition program, encourage businesses and other 
private sector entities to work with elementary and secondary 
schools to improve science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics education, recognize outstanding private sector-
school relationships, and disseminate information on model 
private sector-school relationships so that successful 
strategies and techniques can be adopted more widely.

                XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 4030.

                XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 4030 does not establish or authorize the establishment 
of any advisory committee.

                 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act

    The Committee finds that H.R. 4030 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

      XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.

      XVIII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

   SECTION 37 OF THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ACT


                            BIENNIAL REPORT

  Sec. 37. (a) [By January 30, 1982, and biennially thereafter] 
By January 30 of each odd-numbered year, the Director shall 
simultaneously transmit a report to the Congress, the Attorney 
General, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, the Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 
the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, and the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                     XIX. Committee Recommendations

    On March 31, 2004, a quorum being present, the Committee on 
Science reported H.R. 4030, Congressional Medal for Outstanding 
Contributions to Math and Science Education Act of 2004, as 
amended by a voice vote, and recommended its enactment.


 XX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARKUP BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH ON H.R. 
  4030, CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN MATH AND 
                     SCIENCE EDUCATION ACT OF 2004

                              ----------                              


                        TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2004

                  House of Representatives,
                          Subcommittee on Research,
                                      Committee on Science,
                                                    Washington, DC.

    The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:09 a.m., in 
Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Nick Smith 
[Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
    Chairman Smith. Good morning. I would like to thank our 
witnesses. The procedure this morning is that we will move 
towards consideration of H.R. 4030 and then we will ask our 
witnesses to give us their thoughts and ideas on the 
cooperation of business and industry to help and support 
science and math education in our K through 12 schools.
    I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the 
Subcommittee at any point, and without objection, it is so 
ordered.
    We will now consider H.R. 4030 and proceed with the opening 
remarks.
    [See Appendix for H.R. 4030 and Section-by-Section 
Analysis.]
    Chairman Smith. I would like to welcome everybody here 
today for this Research Subcommittee markup of the 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act of 2004, which Congresswoman Johnson and 
I introduced recently. The Congressional Medal is intended to 
encourage companies to work with the K through 12 schools to 
improve science and math education, but to also encourage by 
recognizing those companies that do an exceptional job.
    Business, industry, and other private groups have so much 
to offer and so much to gain by helping to excite an interest 
in students and keep that interest and ability burning as they 
enter college or begin their careers. Many companies are 
already doing a lot. In addition to recognizing their efforts, 
H.R. 4030 requires the National Science Foundation to make 
information about the award winners and what they are doing, 
and that, then, becomes available to schools around the 
country. This bill also creates separate categories of awards 
for private entities with more than 500 employees and also 
those with less than 500.
    Everyone from large corporations and associations to small 
manufacturers and community organizations has a role to play in 
improving math and science education, and should be able to 
receive the encouragement and recognition under this 
legislation. H.R. 4030 establishes criteria that the National 
Science Foundation shall consider in determining Medal 
finalists and winners, including priority consideration for 
evidence of improved student achievement in science and 
technology and engineering or mathematics by the students. The 
legislation also allows for the consideration of additional 
criteria established by the Director of NSF.
    [The prepared statement of Chairman Smith follows:]

               Prepared Statement of Chairman Nick Smith

    I'd like to welcome all of you here today for this Research 
Subcommittee markup of H.R. 4030, the Congressional Medal for 
Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004, 
which Ranking Member Johnson and I introduced last week. The 
Congressional Medal is intended to encourage companies to work with K-
12 schools to improve math and science education and recognize the 
companies that do an exceptional job already.
    Business, industry and other private groups have so much to offer 
and so much to gain by helping to excite an interest in students and 
keep that interest and ability burning as they enter college or begin 
their careers. Many companies are already doing a lot. In addition to 
recognizing their efforts, H.R. 4030 requires the National Science 
Foundation to make information about award winners publicly available 
so that examples of techniques and strategies can be utilized around 
the country.
    This bill also creates separate categories of awards for private 
entities with more than 500 employees and those with 500 or less 
employees. Everyone from large corporations and associations to small 
manufacturers and community organizations has a role to play in 
improving math and science education and should be able to receive 
recognition for their efforts.
    H.R. 4030 establishes criteria that NSF shall consider in 
determining medal finalists and winners, including priority 
consideration for evidence of improved student achievement in science, 
technology, engineering, or mathematics by students. The legislation 
also allows for the consideration of additional criteria established by 
the Director of NSF.
    The manager's amendment makes several technical corrections, and 
includes language suggested by Ranking Member Johnson that I have 
accepted ensuring that, in determining medal finalists and winners, NSF 
give consideration to efforts that assist female and minority students. 
I thank Ms. Johnson for her help with this amendment and encourage all 
Members to vote for the amendment and final passage.

    Chairman Smith. I would now recognize Ms. Johnson for five 
minutes to present her opening remarks.
    Ms. Johnson. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
    As the co-sponsor of this legislation, I speak in support 
of this favorable consideration by the Research Subcommittee 
today. The Subcommittee has a long history of support for 
efforts to improve K through 12 math and science education. The 
bill before the Subcommittee will help to mobilize greater 
efforts by the private sector and helping our schools to 
achieve the goal of higher achievement in math and science for 
all students.
    And I would like to commend you, Chairman Smith, for 
originating the concept for the bill and in working with me in 
a collegial way in developing the final product. In particular, 
I appreciate your willingness to include language I propose in 
the Manager's Amendment, which we will offer at the appropriate 
time. My language simply emphasizes the importance of 
recognizing private sector activities that increase the 
participation and improve the achievement of women and 
minorities in math and science.
    This provision is consistent with this committee's long 
interest in attracting the interest of and preparing all 
segments of the population in math and science. This is 
necessary if the Nation is to satisfy its demands for science 
and technology workforce of the future, because the proportion 
of minorities in the college-aged population is growing. And it 
helps to ensure that all citizens will achieve a level of 
technological literacy needed to function in the 21st century.
    Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for bringing H.R. 4030 
before the Subcommittee for its consideration today, and I am 
pleased to recommend the bill to my colleagues and seek their 
approval for a favorable report of the legislation to the Full 
Committee.
    Thank you very much.
    Chairman Smith. Thank you very much.
    And without objection, all Members may place opening 
statements in the record at this point in time, but Mr. 
Gutknecht, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Neugebauer, if you would like to 
make a brief comment, you are certainly welcome to at this 
time.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Honda follows:]

         Prepared Statement of Representative Michael M. Honda

    I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for introducing 
this legislation and holding this hearing and markup today.
    In Silicon Valley, we have been fortunate to have companies 
involved in K-12 education in a variety of ways for many years. 
Contributions vary widely, ranging from the employees of individual 
companies such as Xilinx who donate stock options to schools to 
consortia of many companies and groups.
    Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME) was 
founded by a consortium of Bay Area industries in partnership with the 
University of California at Berkeley. IISME seeks to transform teaching 
and learning through industry-education partnerships by focusing on 
teachers as the primary agents for effecting change and offering a 
number of professional development opportunities for professional 
development for K-12 teachers.
    Workforce Silicon Valley has brought together leading Silicon 
Valley employers, represented by the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group 
(SVMG), with local K-12 districts, colleges and training organizations, 
employers, parents, and community members, to narrow the gap between 
the skills of Silicon Valley youth and the needs of high-performance 
organizations.
    The Resource Area for Teachers provides thousands of Bay Area 
teachers and community groups with a wide range of interactive learning 
materials, enhancing math, science, and technology programs. Materials 
are surplus items donated by over 1,000 local businesses.
    These examples represent only a small piece of the wide range of 
ways that private sector entities can help to improve our K-12 science 
education programs. All of these private entities have reasons to 
engage in this activity, primarily philanthropy but often because they 
recognize that it provides a benefit to them, in a more well-prepared 
future workforce. I don't know that the recognition of a medal is going 
to encourage more participation in such programs.
    Current efforts are certainly worthy of commendation, but I wonder 
whether it might be a better use of federal resources to work on 
improving the K-12 system so that such programs would not be necessary. 
However, if the medals program will successfully distribute information 
about the efforts going on nationwide and help generate more efforts 
like this, it may be worth the effort. At this hearing and markup, I 
hope the witnesses will enlighten us on whether these medals will 
actually encourage more of this kind of effort.

    Chairman Smith. Mr. Gutknecht.
    Mr. Gutknecht. Mr. Chairman, let me just thank you for 
putting this bill together. And I think it is one that we 
should move forward with. And hopefully all of our colleagues, 
on both sides of the aisle, can agree that this is the kind of 
thing that we need to encourage more of.
    Mr. Gutknecht. I yield back.
    Chairman Smith. Thank you.
    Mr. Neugebauer.
    Mr. Neugebauer. Yeah. Mr. Chairman, I also want to commend 
you for introducing this bill. And I think it is important, and 
I am a strong advocate of increasing and encouraging private 
sector participation in education, and so I think this bill is 
one of those tools that we can use to do that. And I thank you 
for bringing this to the Committee this morning.
    Chairman Smith. Thank you.
    Mr. Gingrey.
    Mr. Gingrey. Mr. Chairman, thank you. And I would like to 
join my colleagues in commending you and Ms. Johnson for 
bringing this bill. It is so important that we recognize the 
strategic importance of math and science in both elementary, 
primary, and secondary education. It is--you know, we are 
concerned about jobs and the global economy in the 21st 
century, and I don't think anything can help our job situation 
better than preparing our youngsters with a strong, solid 
background in math and science, so I commend you for this 
legislation.
    Chairman Smith. I ask unanimous consent that the bill is 
considered as read and open to amendment at any point and that 
the Members proceed with the amendments in order of the roster. 
And without objection, it is so ordered.
    [See Appendix for the Amendment Roster.]
    Chairman Smith. The first amendment on the roster is an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the Chair. 
And so there is--that amendment is at the desk. And the Clerk, 
excuse me, shall report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 
4030, offered by Mr. Smith of Michigan.
    [See Appendix for the Amendment in the Nature of a 
Substitute offered by Mr. Smith of Michigan.]
    Chairman Smith. Again, if there is no objection, I would 
move and ask for unanimous consent that the amendment be 
considered read. And without objection, it is so ordered.
    I recognize myself for five minutes or less.
    And the Manager's Amendment makes several technical 
corrections and includes language suggested by Ranking Member 
Johnson, that I think is good language and is part of this 
substitute, in determining that Medal finalists and winners, 
NSF give consideration to efforts that assist female and 
minority students.
    And I thank Ms. Johnson for her help with this amendment 
and encourage all Members to vote for this substitute and final 
passage.
    And with that, would the Ranking Member have any comments 
on the substitute?
    [No response.]
    Chairman Smith. The motion is for its adoption. Without--if 
there is no further----
    Mr. Neugebauer. Mr. Chairman?
    Chairman Smith. Yes.
    Mr. Neugebauer. Where is that language that Ms. Johnson 
offered? What--put in the substitute. I was looking through 
here, and I am sure I am looking right over it, but I don't----
    Chairman Smith. Page--what page is it, Dan? Let me know, 
Dan, and everybody can know. I am sorry, I can't hear you. Page 
4. The bottom of page 4.
    Mr. Neugebauer. Mr. Chairman, I--it is not necessary. I--at 
some point in time, I would like to see that language, but I 
would assume that it is--make sure that it is very inclusive, 
and that was----
    Chairman Smith. Dan, can you have somebody on staff go 
pursue it now? And we could have it by the end of the--they can 
look that up. The question is on the adoption of the 
substitute. All in favor, say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes 
have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is 
agreed to.
    The question is now on the bill, H.R. 4030, Congressional 
Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
Education Act of 2004, as amended. Are--is there further 
discussion, or are we ready to vote? All of those in favor will 
say aye. Those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the Chair, 
the ayes have it, and the motion in the nature of a substitute 
is adopted.
    I now recognize Ms. Johnson to offer a motion.
    Ms. Johnson. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Subcommittee 
favorably report the bill, H.R. 4030, as amended, to the Full 
Committee. And further, I ask unanimous consent that the staff 
be instructed to make all necessary technical and conforming 
changes to the bill, as amended, in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Subcommittee.
    Chairman Smith. The question is now on the motion to report 
the bill, as amended, favorably. And those in favor of the 
motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes 
appear to have it, and the resolution is favorably reported.
    Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon 
the table. And this concludes our Subcommittee markup, and the 
Chair declares the Subcommittee adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 10:18 a.m., the Subcommittee proceeded to 
other business.]


                               Appendix:

                              ----------                              


        Amendment Roster, H.R. 4030, Section-by-Section Analysis





               Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 4030,
 Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
                         Education Act of 2004

Sec. 1. Short Title.

    ``Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act of 2004''

Sec. 2. Definitions.

    Defines terms used in the text.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Program.

    Requires the Director to establish a Congressional Medal for 
Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program, which 
shall be designed to:

        (1)  recognize private entities for outstanding efforts 
        supporting elementary and secondary schools in improving 
        student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics;

        (2)  encourage private entities to support elementary and 
        secondary schools to improve and underscore the importance of 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; 
        and

        (3)  distribute information about the gold medal recipients 
        available to schools, institutions of higher education, 
        educators, parents, administrators, policy-makers, researchers, 
        public and private entities, and the general public.

Sec. 4. Medals.

(a) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director to annually 
name finalists according to the following criteria:

        (1)  not more than 20 private entities with more than 500 
        employees; and

        (2)  not more than 20 private entities with 500 or fewer 
        employees.

    Specifies that each finalist shall receive a citation describing 
the basis for the entity achieving status as a finalist.

(b) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director to annually 
award medals to employers who are among the finalists in (a) according 
to the following criteria:

        (1)  not more than 5 private entities with more than 500 
        employees; and

        (2)  not more than 5 private entities with 500 or fewer 
        employees.

(c) Distribution of Information.

        (1)  Requires the Director to distribute information about the 
        Congressional Medal recipients to schools, institutions of 
        higher education, educators, parents, administrators, policy-
        makers, researchers, public and private entities, and the 
        general public.

        (2)  Allows any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal 
        to use such information for advertising or other publicity 
        purposes.

Sec. 5. Eligibility.

    Makes any private entity that has, either alone or in partnership 
with for-profit and/or non-profit entities, assisted students, 
teachers, administrators, or other support staff in improving student 
achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a 
school or community eligible to receive a medal. Requires the entity to 
be involved in a sustained manner for at least two years with at least 
one elementary or secondary school.

Sec. 6. Application.

    Requires the Director to establish a system for accepting 
applications from entities seeking to be considered for the medal. 
Requires applications to include at least two letters of support, which 
may come from teachers, support staff, administrators, professional or 
business organizations, local, county, or State Departments of 
Education, and any other categories of persons or organizations as 
designated by the Director.

Sec. 7. Selection.

    Requires the Director to give priority consideration to evidence of 
improved student achievement in selecting entities to receive medals. 
Requires the Director to consider, in addition to any other criteria 
the Director may establish:

        (1)  Evidence of innovative approaches to increase interest by 
        students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        such as an increase in the number of students enrolled in 
        advanced courses related to such fields;

        (2)  Evidence of employee interaction with students or teachers 
        to support and improve mathematics and science learning;

        (3)  Evidence of success in positively influencing student 
        attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;

        (4)  Evidence of successful outreach to students, parents, and 
        the community regarding the importance of mathematics and 
        science education to the Nation's prosperity, job creation, and 
        standard of living, as well as future earning potential for the 
        individual; and

        (5)  Evidence of a strong and sustained commitment to the 
        students and schools.

Sec. 8. Authorization of Appropriations.

    For fiscal years 2005-2007, authorizes such sums as are necessary 
for carrying out this act from amounts authorized by the National 
Science Foundation Act of 2002.


      XXI. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 4030, 
 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN MATH AND SCIENCE 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2004

                              ----------                              


                       WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2004

                  House of Representatives,
                                      Committee on Science,
                                                    Washington, DC.

    The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in Room 
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L. 
Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
    Chairman Boehlert. I want to welcome everyone here this 
morning. As usual, we are moving forward with bills that are 
bipartisan. All right. Before I get to my more official 
statement, as those of you know, the Committee on Science meets 
today to consider the following measures. H.R. 3980, the 
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004, H.R. 4030, 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education of 2004, and H.R. 3970, the Green Chemistry 
Research and Development Act of 2004, and in consultation with 
Mr. Gordon, we agree that is the order we are going to proceed. 
The first two should go relatively easily. We will have a 
little more discussion on the Green Chemistry Bill, and we hope 
by then to have more Members in attendance.
    I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the 
Committee at any point, and without objection, so ordered.
    We will now proceed with the opening statements, and as I 
said before I so rudely interrupted myself, welcome. As usual, 
we are moving forward with bills that are bipartisan and 
moderate. Bills that will help make a difference in people's 
lives in very real ways. I am especially pleased that two of 
the bills were introduced by freshmen Members, Dr. Gingrey and 
Mr. Neugebauer. We hope that all of these bills will be able to 
move through the House before the May recess, although the Wind 
Bill, because it has a referral to another Committee, may be a 
little bit longer. As is our practice, I am going to talk about 
the bills now and let the sponsors describe them in greater 
detail when we get to the markup of each bill.
    I want to congratulate Mr. Neugebauer and Mr. Moore for 
coming up with an affordable, targeted version of this Wind 
Bill. Windstorms cause much loss of life and property. We need 
a program for wind like the one we have for earthquakes that 
targets federal R&D resources toward developing better ways for 
buildings to better withstand windstorms. That is exactly what 
this bill will create.
    I want to congratulate Chairman Smith and Ms. Johnson on 
their bill to create an award for businesses that help our 
nation's schools. This is clearly an activity we want to see 
increase, and this award will provide an additional incentive. 
The bill was inspired in part by the very successful Baldrige 
Award Program, which as we all know, emanated from this 
committee.
    I want to take most of my time this morning to talk about 
Dr. Gingrey's Green Chemistry Bill because that is what this 
morning's debate will focus on. First let me say that this bill 
is exactly the kind of thing this committee should be doing; 
making sure that federal R&D programs give enough attention to 
important research that could advance national needs. The 
Federal Government has long had a smattering of Green Chemistry 
Programs, and even the Presidential Award, but we have lacked a 
sustained focused priority effort in this important area. This 
bill is designed to change that. The bill has attracted a 
surprisingly large number of amendments. I take that as a sign 
that we have hit on an important issue, one that has been 
previously neglected. So the amendments in that sense are a 
good sign.
    Unfortunately, we are going to have to oppose these 
amendments in their current form. Let me emphasize that. In 
their current form, even though I always try to be open to 
other ideas and to look for grounds for compromise. We may 
reach some compromises this morning, and we will be offering 
substitutes for some amendments so that we can get at least 
some of the ideas behind them into the bill.
    So what is wrong with the amendments? Well, the amendments 
fall into three categories. Several aim to increase spending in 
this bill. While I am sympathetic to the need to spend more in 
this program, we have a fiscal crisis, and both sound policy 
and sound politics dictate that we not make the program more 
expensive, particularly here and now. Hopefully, we will be 
able to spend more on green chemistry in later years.
    The second category of amendment aims to elaborate on 
activities already explicitly or implicitly permitted in the 
bill. We don't want to weigh down the bill with very 
prescriptive program language, but we are willing to go 
somewhat farther than the introduced bill does in describing 
what kinds of activities might be funded through the Green 
Chemistry Program. I hope we can reach some agreement on these 
amendments.
    The third category of amendment is the most problematic. 
These amendments would change the nature of this bill from one 
focused on R&D, and that is where I think we need the focus, to 
one that is more regulatory in nature. This bill's purpose is 
straightforward and non-controversial. We are trying to create 
an R&D program that will generate new ideas. If we add 
regulatory or procurement provisions, this bill will become 
controversial and will be referred to other Committees, and we 
will have nothing to show for our efforts. I am sympathetic to 
some of these ideas, but this bill is not the proper vehicle to 
carry them forward.
    If prompted by this bill, Members are now interested in 
taking other actions related to green chemistry, and I hope 
they will be, then they should introduce their own bills and we 
can decide how to proceed on them. But we shouldn't be turning 
an R&D bill into a complex and controversial procurement and 
regulatory measure. That is contrary to our original basic 
purpose, to focus on research and development. So I hope we can 
have a collegial and productive markup today. I don't think 
there is any controversy on the underlying bills. I am pleased 
that the Members want to expand these bills further, but we 
can't expand so much that they won't fit into the House 
schedule. And when all is said and done, we have got to be more 
than just a debating society for ideas. We have got to be a 
committee that generates good ideas that earn the support of 
our colleagues that get passed by the House, get passed by the 
Senate, and get signed into law by the President.
    I now recognize Mr. Gordon for his opening statement.
    [The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]

            Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
                             March 31, 2004

    I want to welcome everyone here for our markup this morning. As 
usual, we are moving forward with bills that are bipartisan and 
moderate--bills that will help make a difference in people's lives in 
very real ways. I'm especially pleased that two of the bills were 
introduced by freshman Members--Dr. Gingrey and Mr. Neugebauer. We hope 
that all of these bills will be able to move through the House before 
the May recess, although the wind bill must go to another committee.
    As is our practice, I'm going to talk about the bills now and let 
the sponsors describe them in greater detail when we get to the markup 
of each bill.
    I want to congratulate Mr. Neugebauer and Mr. Moore for coming up 
with an affordable, targeted version of this wind bill. Windstorms 
cause much avoidable loss of life and property. We need a program for 
wind, like the one we have for earthquakes, that targets federal R&D 
resources toward developing ways for buildings to better withstand 
windstorms. That's exactly what this bill will create.
    I want to congratulate Chairman Smith and Ms. Johnson on their bill 
to create an award for businesses that help our nation's schools. This 
is clearly an activity we want to see increase, and this award will 
provide an additional incentive. The bill is inspired in part by the 
very successful Baldrige Award program that this committee created.
    I want to take most of my time this morning to talk about Dr. 
Gingrey's green chemistry bill because that's what this morning's 
debates will center on.
    First let me say that this bill is exactly the kind of thing this 
Committee should be doing--making sure that federal R&D programs give 
enough attention to important research that could advance national 
needs. The Federal Government has long had a smattering of green 
chemistry programs and even a Presidential award, but we've lacked a 
sustained, focused and priority effort in this important area. This 
bill is designed to change that.
    The bill has attracted a surprisingly large number of amendments. I 
take that as a sign that we have hit on an important issue--one that 
has been previously neglected. So the amendments, in that sense, are a 
good sign.
    Unfortunately, we are going to have to oppose these amendments in 
their current form, even though I always try to be open to others' 
ideas and to look for grounds for compromise. We may yet reach some 
compromises this morning, and we will be offering substitutes for some 
amendments so that we can get at least some of the ideas behind them 
into the bill.
    So what's wrong with the amendments? Well, the amendments fall into 
three categories. Several aim to increase the spending in this bill. 
While I'm sympathetic to the need to spend more on this program, we 
have a fiscal crisis, and both sound policy and sound politics dictate 
that we not make the program more expensive. Hopefully, we will be able 
to spend more on green chemistry in later years.
    The second category of amendment aims to elaborate on activities 
already explicitly or implicitly permitted in the bill.
    We don't want to weigh the bill down with very prescriptive program 
language, but we are willing to go somewhat farther than the introduced 
bill does in describing what kinds of activities might be funded 
through the green chemistry program. I hope we can reach agreement on 
these amendments.
    The third category of amendment is the most problematic; these 
amendments would change the nature of this bill from one focused on R&D 
to one that is more regulatory in nature. This bill's purpose is 
straight-forward and non-controversial; we're trying to create an R&D 
program that will generate new ideas.
    If we add regulatory or procurement provisions, this bill will 
become controversial and will be referred to other committees, and we 
will have nothing to show for our efforts. I'm sympathetic to some of 
these ideas, but this bill is not the proper vehicle for them.
    If, prompted by this bill, Members are now interested in taking 
other actions related to green chemistry, then they should introduce 
their own bills and we can decide how to proceed on them. But we 
shouldn't be turning an R&D bill into a complex and controversial 
procurement and regulatory measure. If this bill doesn't pass, there 
will be fewer green chemistry ideas to get companies and the government 
to implement.
    So I hope we can have a collegial and productive markup today. I 
don't think there is any controversy on the underlying bills. I'm 
pleased that Members want to expand these bills further, but we can't 
expand so much that they won't fit into the House schedule.
    Mr. Gordon.

    4Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We on the Democratic 
side are pleased that you have moved forward with these three 
bills for consideration today. The National Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Act of 2004 is patterned after legislation written by 
Congressman Dennis Moore, the bill's chief sponsor. We all owe 
a debt of gratitude to Congressman Moore for identifying the 
need for a multi-agency Wind Hazard Reduction Program five and 
a half years ago. He worked to reach consensus among the 
agencies on the scope of such legislation. He founded the Wind 
Caucus to promote the program, and he worked with the private 
sector and the university community to make sure that the needs 
of those will carry out the work reflected in the bill's 
context or text.
    Time is of the essence on this bill. Many of our districts 
have been impacted by major windstorms since Mr. Moore began 
this effort, and we are pleased that all of the major elements 
of the Moore--the log bill can be found in the new Neugebauer-
Moore bill. Congressman Moore will go into greater detail on 
this point later in the markup. It is regrettable though that 
the proposed funding for the program had to be reduced so 
dramatically to perhaps a quarter of what we are spending on 
the problem of earthquake research. But the bill is still a 
positive start.
    In contrast, the Green Chemistry Research and Development 
Act of 2004 has not had such a lengthy period of maturation. It 
was introduced just 15 years ago--I mean 15 days ago, excuse 
me, and was the subject of a single hearing the following day. 
Our issue today is more than with what is not--is more what is 
not in the bill than what is in the bill. In other words, the 
bill is okay as a start, but it is not--does not go far enough 
to promote the adoption of green chemistry. Several Democratic 
Members on the Committee will offer amendments today in an 
effort to expand the impact and importance of the underlying 
legislation. Nearly all of these amendments are based on 
testimony given at our hearing by witnesses earlier this month. 
We hope the Chairman will be able to support many of these 
amendments, which we will offer in a constructive spirit.
    The final bill today, H.R. 4030, is non-controversial. 
Congressman Smith has worked closely with Congresswoman Johnson 
in perfecting the bill. We all agree with the purpose of 
honoring private-sector organizations that make outstanding 
contributions to strengthening science, mathematics, technology 
engineering education in our schools.
    Chairman Boehlert. Without objection, all Members may place 
opening statements in the record at this point.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Honda follows:]

         Prepared Statement of Representative Michael M. Honda

    I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for introducing 
this legislation and holding this hearing and markup today.
    In Silicon Valley, we have been fortunate to have companies 
involved in K-12 education in a variety of ways for many years. 
Contributions vary widely, ranging from the employees of individual 
companies such as Xilinx who donate stock options to schools to 
consortia of many companies and groups.
    Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME) was 
founded by a consortium of Bay Area industries in partnership with the 
University of California at Berkeley. IISME seeks to transform teaching 
and learning through industry-education partnerships by focusing on 
teachers as the primary agents for effecting change and offering a 
number of professional development opportunities for professional 
development for K-12 teachers.
    Workforce Silicon Valley has brought together leading Silicon 
Valley employers, represented by the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group 
(SVMG), with local K-12 districts, colleges and training organizations, 
employers, parents, and community members, to narrow the gap between 
the skills of Silicon Valley youth and the needs of high-performance 
organizations.
    The Resource Area for Teachers provides thousands of Bay Area 
teachers and community groups with a wide range of interactive learning 
materials, enhancing math, science, and technology programs. Materials 
are surplus items donated by over 1,000 local businesses.
    These examples represent only a small piece of the wide range of 
ways that private sector entities can help to improve our K-12 science 
education programs. All of these private entities have reasons to 
engage in this activity, primarily philanthropy but often because they 
recognize that it provides a benefit to them, in a more well-prepared 
future workforce. I don't know that the recognition of a medal is going 
to encourage more participation in such programs.
    Current efforts are certainly worthy of commendation, but I wonder 
whether it might be a better use of federal resources to work on 
improving the K-12 system so that such programs would not be necessary. 
However, if the medals program will successfully distribute information 
about the efforts going on nationwide and help generate more efforts 
like this, it may be worth the effort. At this hearing and markup, I 
hope the witnesses will enlighten us on whether these medals will 
actually encourage more of this kind of effort.

    [The prepared statement of Mr. Davis follows:]

           Prepared Statement of Representative Lincoln Davis

    I would like to start by thanking the Chair and Ranking Member for 
the opportunity to speak at today's markup.
    There is bipartisan support among Members of the Science Committee 
for efforts to encourage green chemistry, or the development of 
materials and processes that are not harmful to people or the 
environment. Research and building construction at the Oak Ridge 
National Laboratory (ORNL) are shining examples of the good things that 
happen when green chemistry approaches are put into practice.
    ORNL continues to contribute to a range of scientific and 
technological needs in green chemistry. New chemical approaches that 
use benign carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of noxious 
industrial solvents have been deployed commercially in new, safer dry 
cleaning technologies. Researchers have also worked to develop methods 
that result in decreased use of materials that are harmful to the 
environment.
    Even Oak Ridge buildings are getting ``green.'' The environmentally 
friendly design off a new 370,000 square foot complex has netted ORNL a 
2003 Excellence in Construction award from a major contractors 
association. Developing methods and products that are good for the 
environment is important. In the long run, it will save us untold sums 
in energy saved and damage deterred. I am proud that Oak Ridge is 
leading the way in green chemistry efforts and would encourage others 
to follow its example.
    I thank our distinguished Chair and Ranking Member for the 
opportunity to speak this morning and yield back to the Chair.

    [The prepared statement of Ms. Jackson Lee follows:]

        Prepared Statement of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee

Mr. Chairman,

    I rise in support of this excellent bill. I would like to commend 
my colleague from Michigan, Congressman Smith, and my fellow colleague 
from Texas, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, for their leadership 
on this issue.
    It has been said that ``it takes a village to raise a child.'' This 
bill captures that spirit by encouraging private entities to enhance 
the educational experiences of our children in math and science.
    This legislation will encourage partnerships between private sector 
entities and K-12 schools to support activities to improve student 
achievement in math and science by formally recognizing companies and 
non-profit private sector organizations that have made substantial 
efforts in this area.
    Every year up to five private sector organizations with 500 or 
fewer employees and to up to five organizations with more than 500 
employees will be chosen through a competition administered by the 
National Science Foundation. Companies and organizations that earn 
awards will receive recognition in the form of a Congressional medal.
    This is a small but symbolic gesture for good works by our nation's 
profit and non-profit groups that have assisted our teachers in 
improving student achievement in math, science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics.
    Of course, this bill is not enough. We are in a budget crisis these 
days and the Administration and many on the Hill seem to feel that we 
can cut corners by slashing education programs. This is a penny wise 
and a pound foolish. We must make meaningful investments in the future 
of our children, through education funding that will have a positive 
impact on our industries and our economy.
    This bill encourages industry to become a partner in that important 
job. That is good. But we must make sure that the Federal Government is 
doing its share as well.
    Thank you.

    Mr. Smith of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, may I make a short 
comment?
    Chairman Boehlert. You certainly may, Chairman Smith.
    Mr. Smith of Michigan. All of us here, in this committee 
especially, have been looking at how we improve math and 
science education, and maybe this is a small encouragement to 
have private sectors more involved--in the private sector in--
by way of nonprofit organizations, by the way of business and 
industry to do something that is going to be in their long-term 
advantage, as well as the advantage of the United States to 
improve and increase the education in math and science and the 
number of students that are interested and can perform well.
    This particular bill has no cost, but can be a stimulant to 
hopefully have more companies participate in working with 
schools and communities working with schools. And so I hope we 
can approve the amendment of the Chairman that allows us to do 
a technical change on alternating years for reports from the 
National Science Foundation.
    Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much for the 
intervention. Now here is what I would like to do, with the 
indulgence of all my colleagues. We have three bills before us, 
two of them I think there is almost unanimous agreement on. Let 
us dispense with them immediately, and then focus our time and 
attention on the Green Chemistry Bill, which has us all 
interested, and we are coming from different perspectives. Is 
that--do I see from a nod of the heads that that is a good 
plan? Let us go. All right.
    Chairman Boehlert. We will now consider the Bill H.R. 4030, 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act of 2004, and the Chair now yields five 
minutes to Mr. Smith of Michigan, distinguished Chair of the 
Subcommittee to introduce the bill. Mr. Smith?
    Mr. Smith of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, is the bill properly 
before us at this time?
    Chairman Boehlert. It is.
    Mr. Smith of Michigan. I support--the Chairman's amendment 
to the bill is similar to the amendment that we just passed on 
the other two bills, and I think we all support that amendment 
requested by NSF. This legislation encourages the business and 
industry sector and communities to work closer with schools in 
supporting math and science education. I would be glad to 
respond to any questions from--I yield to my colleagues for any 
questions or comments, but with that, I think--it is supported 
by NSF. We had an excellent hearing, with business and industry 
supporting the legislation in Subcommittee, and I hope my 
colleagues will join me in passing the bill.
    Chairman Boehlert. Thank you so much, and as you have 
pointed out so often, it is patterned after the Malcolm 
Baldrige Award Program, which has proven to be one of the most 
outstanding incentive programs ever developed by any Congress 
anytime. The Chair recognizes Mr. Gordon.
    Mr. Gordon. I yield to Ms. Johnson.
    Chairman Boehlert. Ms. Johnson?
    Ms. Johnson. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and Ranking 
Member. As a co-sponsor of this legislation I speak in support 
of favorable consideration by the Research Subcommittee today. 
The bill will have mobilized greater efforts by the private 
sector in helping our schools to achieve the goal of higher 
achievement in math and science for all students, and I would 
like to commend Chairman Smith for originating the concept for 
the bill and in working with me in a collegiate way in 
developing the final product, especially for inclusion of 
language that emphasizes the importance of activities that 
increase the participation and improve the achievement of women 
and minorities in math and science.
    This language helps satisfy demands for the science and 
technology workforce for our growing college-aged minority 
population, and it helps to ensure that all citizens will 
achieve a level of technological literacy needed to function in 
the 21st century.
    Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for bringing H.R. 4030 
before the Committee for its consideration today, and I am 
pleased to recommend the bill to my colleagues and seek their 
approval to favorably report the legislation. Thank you.
    Mr. Smith of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, to your left----
    Chairman Boehlert. Yes?
    Mr. Smith of Michigan. May I request that there be 
unanimous consent to include at this point in the record my 
complete explanation and statement on the bill?
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Smith follows:]

            Prepared Statement of Representative Nick Smith

    H.R. 4030, the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in 
Math and Science Education Act of 2004, is intended to encourage 
companies to work with K-12 schools to improve math and science 
education and recognize the companies that do an exceptional job 
already.
    Business, industry and other private groups have so much to offer 
and so much to gain by helping to excite an interest in students and 
keep that interest and ability burning as they enter college or begin 
their careers. Many companies are already doing a lot. In addition to 
recognizing their efforts, H.R. 4030 requires the National Science 
Foundation to make information about award winners publicly available 
so that examples of techniques and strategies can be utilized around 
the country.
    This bill also creates separate categories of awards for private 
entities with more than 500 employees and those with 500 or less 
employees. Everyone from large corporations to small manufacturers has 
a role to play in improving math and science education and should be 
able to receive recognition for their efforts.
    H.R. 4030 establishes criteria that NSF shall consider in 
determining medal finalists and winners, including priority 
consideration for evidence of improved student achievement in science, 
technology, engineering, or mathematics by students. The legislation 
also allows for the consideration of additional criteria established by 
the Director of NSF.
    Yesterday, the Research Subcommittee favorably reported H.R. 4030 
and I urge the Full Committee to do the same today.



    Chairman Boehlert. I ask unanimous consent that the bill is 
considered as read and open to amendment at any point, and that 
the Members proceed with the amendments in the order of the 
roster. And without objection, that is so ordered.
    The first amendment on the roster is an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute offered by the Chair. I ask unanimous 
consent that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be 
treated as original text for purposes of amendment of the five-
minute rule. I have an amendment at the desk, and the Clerk 
shall report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 
4030 offered by Mr. Boehlert.
    Chairman Boehlert. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with 
the reading, and without objection, so ordered.
    I yield myself such time as I might consume to discuss the 
amendment. I recognize myself for such time as I might consume.
    And just let me say before I proceed, I want to thank Ms. 
Johnson particularly for the outstanding work and cooperation. 
We really appreciate it. But then we thank you quite often for 
your outstanding work on this Committee. Thank you.
    This amendment is an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute that amends H.R. 4030 to include the very minor 
changes that were considered and passed by the Research 
Subcommittee at a markup yesterday morning. It also makes small 
technical corrections and includes, as does the other bills we 
have considered--or are considering this morning, language 
modifying the report deadlines for NSF's statutorily required 
report on women and minorities in science and engineering. It 
has been worked out with the minority and I urge all Members to 
support it.
    Is there any further discussion on the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute? Are there any amendments to the 
amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the vote 
occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All in 
favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the 
amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to.
    The question is now on the bill H.R. 4030, Congressional 
Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
Education Act of 2004, as amended. All in favor, say aye. Those 
opposed, say no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 
I will now recognize Mr. Gordon for a motion.
    Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee 
favorably report H.R. 4030 as amended to the House, with the 
recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass. Furthermore, 
I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the legislative 
report and make necessary technical and conforming changes, and 
that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill 
before the House for consideration.
    Chairman Boehlert. The question is on the motion to report 
the bill, as amended, favorably. Those in favor of the motion 
will signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to 
have it, and the resolution is favorably reported. Without 
objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I 
move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in which to 
submit supplemental minority or additional views on the 
measure.
    I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives that the Committee authorizes the 
Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House 
to adopt and pass H.R. 4030 as amended, and to go to conference 
with the Senate on H.R. 4030 or a similar bill. Without 
objection, so ordered.
    Chairman Boehlert. The Committee is recessed until 10:00 
tomorrow morning.
    [Whereupon, at 12:00 p.m., the Committee recessed, to 
reconvene at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1, 2004.]


                               Appendix:

                              ----------                              


        Amendment Roster, H.R. 4030, Section-by-Section Analysis




               Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 4030,
 Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science 
                         Education Act of 2004

Sec. 1. Short Title.

    ``Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and 
Science Education Act of 2004''

Sec. 2. Definitions.

    Defines terms used in the text.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Program.

    Requires the Director to establish a Congressional Medal for 
Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program, which 
shall be designed to:

        (1)  recognize private entities for outstanding efforts 
        supporting elementary and secondary schools in improving 
        student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics;

        (2)  encourage private entities to support elementary and 
        secondary schools to improve and underscore the importance of 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; 
        and

        (3)  distribute information about the gold medal recipients 
        available to schools, institutions of higher education, 
        educators, parents, administrators, policy-makers, researchers, 
        public and private entities, and the general public.

Sec. 4. Medals.

(a) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director to annually 
name finalists according to the following criteria:

        (1)  not more than 20 private entities with more than 500 
        employees; and

        (2)  not more than 20 private entities with 500 or fewer 
        employees.

    Specifies that each finalist shall receive a citation describing 
the basis for the entity achieving status as a finalist.

(b) Requires, within two years of enactment, the Director to annually 
award medals to employers who are among the finalists in (a) according 
to the following criteria:

        (1)  not more than 5 private entities with more than 500 
        employees; and

        (2)  not more than 5 private entities with 500 or fewer 
        employees.

(c) Distribution of Information.

        (1)  Requires the Director to distribute information about the 
        Congressional Medal recipients to schools, institutions of 
        higher education, educators, parents, administrators, policy-
        makers, researchers, public and private entities, and the 
        general public.

        (2)  Allows any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal 
        to use such information for advertising or other publicity 
        purposes.

Sec. 5. Eligibility.

    Makes any private entity that has, either alone or in partnership 
with for-profit and/or non-profit entities, assisted students, 
teachers, administrators, or other support staff in improving student 
achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a 
school or community eligible to receive a medal. Requires the entity to 
be involved in a sustained manner for at least two years with at least 
one elementary or secondary school.

Sec. 6. Application.

    Requires the Director to establish a system for accepting 
applications from entities seeking to be considered for the medal. 
Requires applications to include at least two letters of support, which 
may come from teachers, support staff, administrators, professional or 
business organizations, local, county, or State Departments of 
Education, and any other categories of persons or organizations as 
designated by the Director.

Sec. 7. Selection.

    Requires the Director to give priority consideration to evidence of 
improved student achievement in selecting entities to receive medals. 
Requires the Director to consider, in addition to any other criteria 
the Director may establish:

        (1)  Evidence of innovative approaches to increase interest by 
        students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        such as an increase in the number of students enrolled in 
        advanced courses related to such fields;

        (2)  Evidence of employee interaction with students or teachers 
        to support and improve mathematics and science learning;

        (3)  Evidence of success in positively influencing student 
        attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;

        (4)  Evidence of successful outreach to students, parents, and 
        the community regarding the importance of mathematics and 
        science education to the Nation's prosperity, job creation, and 
        standard of living, as well as future earning potential for the 
        individual; and

        (5)  Evidence of a strong and sustained commitment to the 
        students and schools.

Sec. 8. Authorization of Appropriations.

    For fiscal years 2005-2007, authorizes such sums as are necessary 
for carrying out this act from amounts authorized by the National 
Science Foundation Act of 2002.

                                
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