Expressing Sense of Congress and Support for Greater Opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (GO-STEM) Programs

EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS AND SUPPORT FOR GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (GO-STEM) PROGRAMS -- (House of Representatives - June 07, 2006)

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I also want to commend Representative Price for his introduction of this legislation, and I am pleased to join with him, Chairman MCKEON and Ranking Member Miller as we express support for H. Con. Res. 421.

Supporting mathematics and science in education is crucial to national prosperity. The United States workforce is dramatically changing, and the demand for highly skilled jobs is increasing. In the last 10 years, employment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM fields, as we call them, have increased by an estimated 23 percent, particularly in mathematics and in computer science. This growth will only continue by 2020. Fifteen million new jobs that require college-educated and highly skilled workers will be created.

However, and unfortunately, we have seen a recent drop in students' educational interest in STEM-related fields. In 2004, only 27 percent of degrees awarded were in STEM fields, compared to 32 percent of degrees in 1995. We need to ensure that our students are adequately prepared for the changing economy, and supporting quality programs in STEM-related fields is essential to reach this goal.

The goals of the Academic Competitiveness Council are to evaluate the effectiveness of each STEM-related program across the government, identify areas of overlap and recommend ways to efficiently integrate and coordinate in the future.

It is important that the Academic Competitiveness Council and this Congress continue to focus on a high-quality investment in STEM training. Further, it is important that we work to increase the participation of minority groups and women, who are seriously underrepresented in STEM fields. Inclusion of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM will help correct the historical employment inequities that have existed in our country and help supply the American economy with the STEM expertise that the country needs to innovate and remain competitive.

Just last month, we heard from the administration that the creation and operation of the Academic Competitiveness Council is under way and that they are working to make concrete recommendations. Congress has a responsibility to thoughtfully consider these recommendations, accepting those that are reasonable and rejecting recommendations that could undermine or undercut progress.

It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the needs met by current activities continue to be addressed, and even strengthened where needed. We must not eliminate critical and crucially needed activities solely in the name of consolidation.

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