On the recordMay 26, 2011
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would basically ensure that the total cut to the National Defense Education Program does not come from its K-12 education program, which links DOD scientists and engineers with students and teachers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM, fields. We know that our Nation is woefully behind in these subject matters. If we don't engage future generations to excel in these fields, it will hurt both our capability for innovation and our national security. NDEP supports national competitions to create locally based, content- rich environments and robust learning opportunities for students and teachers with an understanding of the real-world application of the STEM fields. Just last year, 1,750 DOD scientists and engineers from 48 DOD laboratories in 26 States engaged more than 180,000 students and 8,000 teachers in outreach and informal education initiatives. {time} 1200 So, Mr. Chairman, I believe that we actually have to make investment in these STEM programs, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger).
