the thing that creates fatigue in all this discussion are all the excuses that we find for not engaging certain types of students in this work.

I think that is very important. They have--Argon National Lab is involved, CITGO is involved, Exelon Power Company is involved.

I think all of you are--all of your organizations are providing a great role.

It is a very important issue that we are dealing with today, and I want to thank you and I want to thank Chairman Smith for pushing this issue.

According to the 2011 TIMSS study U.S. students in fourth grade rank behind students in ten other countries in science aptitude and 15 other countries in math.

If the U.S. wants to remain the global leader in innovation and technology, we have to tackle these challenges with an 'all hands on deck' approach.

I have heard from many manufacturers that they are having a difficult time finding workers who have basic STEM knowledge.

Thank you, Chairman Bucshon. Keeping up your reputation of the hardest-working Chairman in Washington with our fourth hearing in four weeks, so very impressive.

This has serious consequences for individuals and for our Nation's economy.

I can personally vouch for the importance of educating our students in the STEM fields at all levels.

We must continue to address this challenge, so I hope this first hearing on STEM education is one of many during this Congress.