I just want to say that all of you, your testimony has been extremely impressive.

I taught college before I was elected to Congress, but it is just very impressive what you have been able to do.

You have probably put all of us--we all sitting up here probably look and say if only I were that good when I was that age.

When we lose an undergraduate student from a STEM field, we lose a scientist or engineer who could potentially pursue a career in teaching the next generation.

For example, less than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with a degree in computer science, despite tremendous demand for these skills.

U.S. K-12 students rank in the middle of the pack in international comparisons of math and science aptitude.

I am very aware of how important it is that we do a good job of engaging and educating our students at all levels in STEM fields.

We see the problems at all job levels. I constantly hear from manufacturers back home that they have a hard time finding employees who have even basic math and science skills.

The federal government cannot begin to solve our STEM education challenges alone, we would be remiss to ignore the important role the government does play.

That's why partnerships between the private sector, Federal and state governments, colleges, universities, local school districts, national labs, science museums, zoos and aquaria, and all types of nonprofits are more important than ever.

I am one of only a dozen engineers in the House and Senate, and my wife was a math major in college.