Political Quotes

“I thank my friend from Texas. Mr. Chair, let me start by thanking my colleagues for their leadership on this important legislation, both the chairman and the ranking member. As the co-chair of the Diversity and Innovation Caucus, my colleague from Texas has been a true champion for STEM education, particularly in our underrepresented communities. Chairman Gordon and the members of the Science and Technology Committee have certainly shown leadership on this issue as well. Our amendment builds upon that work by requiring the new STEM coordinating committee created in this legislation to work with each agency under its jurisdiction to promote more public awareness of career opportunities in the STEM fields, particularly within the Federal workforce. We have a hard time filling positions in the science, technology, and engineering and math fields, and I believe part of the trouble is that, one, people don't know that they are out there and, two, they don't realize that careers like this are available in public service. So clearly we can do better. Our amendment also calls for new outreach strategies to women, Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, and other students from underrepresented communities in the Federal workforce. Even in minority majority school systems like Prince William County, and Fairfax County in my district, we are working especially hard to make sure enrollment in STEM programs reflects the diversity of our student body.…”