Recognizing the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives and supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry but I am a bit late and out of breath. My plane was an hour and a half late. I believe I ran all the way from the airport.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak on this resolution. We have often heard the phrase ``better living through chemistry,'' and that is very true. And I find it strange that today many people regard chemistry as a danger because they worry about things such as pesticides. In fact, I recall speaking to a person once who said that she really did not dare to eat anything now unless it was natural because of the chemicals. And I said, ``Well, do you like oranges?'' ``Oh, yes, they are wonderful.'' she replied. I said, ``In spite of the fact that they are filled with chemicals, chemicals such as vitamin C?'' And I went on to name other chemical components.

Chemicals can be either good or bad. And they are certainly a part of everyday life, but what I appreciate is the many good things that chemistry has brought us. And I also appreciate the American Chemical Society, which has established the National Chemistry Week which we are celebrating here. This year the theme is Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond, in an effort to honor the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

But there is so much more to chemistry activities that we do not realize. What I appreciate about the American Chemical Society, also, is their interest in education.

In my efforts to improve math and science education in this Nation, I have worked very closely with the American Chemical Society over the past few years. And they have been outstanding in their efforts to assist in improving math and science education, and National Chemistry Week is part of that.

I just received this morning an e-mail from Michelle DeWitt from Michigan who is one of the organizers of the National Chemistry Week in Michigan. And she talked a little bit about what they did last week.

Let me read portions of her letter. ``Our National Chemistry Week event at Westshore Mall was a huge success. We had our largest amount of volunteers ever, with nearly 100 people helping out, including students from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College, some local high school and younger students with parents. This was very fortunate because we had the largest turnout with about 3,000 people stopping by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 18th.

``We had six demonstrations by area chemists and about ten activity tables, where area chemists and college students engaged in hands-on activities with kids of all ages. There was a constant stream of rockets shooting off. Some even hit the ceiling. Making slime is always one of the kids' favorite activities.''

``We gave away about 1,300 balloons to kids. I heard one boy walking into the mall with his dad saying, `Look, Dad, a party.' and I thought it was great to have kids think of science as a party. The newspaper reporter who spent most of the day with us commented on how much fun everyone was having and said there were so many fun things going on it was like a ten-ring circus.''

Then she goes on and talks about the volunteers and the great things they did. Mr. Speaker, at this point I will insert the entire text of the letter.

To: Laura G. Kolton, American Chemical Society

Our NCW event at Westshore Mall was a huge success. We had

our largest amount of volunteers ever with nearly a hundred

people helping out, including students from Grand Valley

State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas

College, some local high school and younger students with

parents. This was very fortunate because, due to advertising

in both the Grand Rapids Press and the Holland Sentinel, we

had the largest turn out with about 3000 people stopping by

between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday October 18th.

We had 6 demos by area chemists and about 10 activity

tables where area chemists and college students engaged in

hands-on activities with kids of all ages. There was a

constant stream of rockets (made with vinegar / baking soda /

film containers) shooting off. Some even hit the ceiling.

Making slime is always one of the kids favorite activities.

We also had a poster drawing contest. We will be sending our

winning posters in to the National ACS competition.

We gave away about 1300 balloons to kids. I heard one young

boy walking into the mall with his dad say ``Look Dad, a

party,'' and I thought it was great to have kids think of

science as a party. Even the Holland Sentinel reporter who

spent most of the day

with us commented on how much fund everyone was having, and

said there were so many fun things going on it was like a 10

ring circus.

We had two sixth grade volunteers (Debra Gorden and Shannon

Vandenberg) from Blandford school (which is a Grand Rapids

Public school for 6th grade students who have excelled in

elementary school.) These girls worked a booth giving away

tattoos, stickers, magnifying glasses and ChemMatters

Magazine, with the help of two chemistry students from GRCC

(Grand Rapids Community College). They loved working with the

college guys and were smiling all day. The college students

were very nice and inspired the young girls into an interest

in college and disproved the stereotype of the geeky chemist.

Through this National Chemistry Week thousands of children will learn about the earth's atmosphere and the solar system through hands-on events and demonstrations.

I commend the American Chemical Society for stimulating our children's interest in the chemical sciences so that they will not only be interested, but will consider careers in these fields and potentially discover the innovations of the future.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution recognizing the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.

Today, I am pleased that we are considering this resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week. It recognizes the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to technological progress and the health of many industries. In addition, it encourages the people of the United States to observe National Chemistry Week, which, this year, is October 19-25.

The chemical sciences provide an enabling infrastructure that delivers the foods, fuels, medicine, and materials that are part of our everyday lives. The contributions of chemical scientists and engineers are central to the technological progress and the health of many industries.

I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing National Chemistry Week in 1987. During National Chemistry Week, volunteers from across the United States will teach children about air, the atmosphere and the solar system. The theme in 2003, ``Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond,'' was chosen to honor the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's flight from Kitty Hawk, NC. It is important to stimulate children's interest in the chemical sciences so that they will consider careers in these fields and potentially discover the innovations of the future.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution recognizing the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 395) recognizing the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives and supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 395.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased that we are considering this resolution recognizing the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives. This resolution supports the goals and the ideals of National Chemistry Week, and it recognizes the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to technological progress and the health of many industries. In addition, it encourages the people of the United States to observe National Chemistry Week, which this year is October 19 through 25. As a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, I enthusiastically support this effort.

The chemical sciences provide an enabling infrastructure that delivers the foods, fuels, medicine and materials that are part of our everyday lives. The contributions of chemical scientists and engineers are central to the technological progress of many areas that affect our everyday lives.

I commend the American Chemical Society for establishing National Chemistry Week in 1987. During National Chemistry Week, volunteers from across the United States will teach children about our air, the atmosphere and the solar system. The theme in 2003, Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond, was chosen to honor the 100 anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's flight from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

It is important to stimulate children's interest in the chemical sciences so that they will consider careers in these fields and potentially discover the innovations for our future.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and thus recognize and support the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, but I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present this resolution supporting the ideals of National Chemistry Week. And I want to commend the co- authors, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), the Ph.D. physicists, for bringing this bill forward.

So this Member who has a bachelor of science, a meager bachelor of science degree in chemistry, is humbled in their presence, but this is a wonderful bill, and I am very, very supportive of it.

Mr. Speaker, I think I have got a little bit of time left, and I see that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), of whom I just spoke, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, that Ph.D., one of those Ph.D. physicists of which I just spoke, has just arrived.

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy at this time to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

(Mr. EHLERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for speakers but, again, in conclusion, let me just say that I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for bringing forward this resolution. And I urge all of my colleagues to support its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the leadership for bringing this bill to the floor, recognizing the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives, and supporting National Chemistry Week. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) has been very helpful as an original cosponsor of this bill and helped move it forward. He and I do this as the two physicists in Congress, with no suggestion of irony that we physicists would be sponsoring National Chemistry Week.

Finally, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs.

Biggert) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) for cosponsoring the bill and for their support, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) himself being a research-trained chemist.

Indeed, chemistry is not something that occurs just in the laboratory, it is everywhere, and this resolution is intended to emphasize that point, the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives.

Today's scientists are working to understand global climate change and to develop cleaner energy sources. Our cars have more computing power than the Apollo spacecraft. In many ways, science permeates our lives, and we certainly should do all we can to recognize that and see that youngsters, as well as oldsters, integrate their understanding of science in their lives.

Following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, major steps were taken in the United States to improve the resources going into science. The goal was to produce a superior technical workforce so that we would be second to none in engineering and science. There was increased funding for school laboratories, revision of math and science curricula and new university scholarships for future scientists. Indeed, this initiative produced a generation of scientists and engineers who have contributed greatly to our economic and technical accomplishments and to the quality of life of people around the world.

I was a product of that revolution. Today, as a policy maker, I see the shortcomings of our earlier revolution in science and mathematics education.

Too often the push for improving public competence in science and mathematics is justified on the grounds of economics, national security, and an informed citizenry. There is no question that these are vitally important reasons, but we should not forget the reason of personal well-being. Understanding sciences like chemistry brings order, harmony, and balance to our lives. They teach us that the world is intelligible and not capricious. They give us the skills for lifelong learning, for creating progress itself.

In setting up the science programs following the launch of Sputnik, we focused on developing scientists and engineers and tend to have left behind the other 80 or 90 percent of our society who should understand science, should integrate it into their lives, even if they are not to become professional scientists. That is why I am proud to see this House recognizing in this legislation the importance of chemistry and the goals and the ideals of National Chemistry Week.

I thank the Speaker for bringing this resolution to the floor. I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), for yielding me the time to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 395. This bipartisan resolution was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers). They are both Ph.D. physicists who appreciate the importance of chemistry. I want to congratulate them for bringing this resolution forward.

Chemistry and chemical engineering contributes to public health through such things as new biomaterials, drug design and drug-delivery technologies and gene therapy. These disciplines help develop new structural and electronic materials and advance technologies that improve energy utilization and transportation systems. In short, chemistry and chemical engineering contribute in critical ways to the economic strength, security and well-being of our Nation.

National Chemistry Week was started as an annual event in 1987 by the American Chemical Society. It sponsors activities to make elementary and secondary school children, and the public in general, more aware of what chemistry is and its importance to their everyday lives.

National Chemistry Week activities are carried out by the local sections of the American Chemical Society, which are found in all parts of the Nation. They work with local industries, schools and museums to design hands-on activities, provide chemical demonstrations and develop exhibits. By these means, the local organizations provide opportunities to stimulate the interests of young people in science and in pursuing scientific careers. And the activities of the National Chemistry Week help advance the important goal of increasing public understanding of science generally.

For 2003, the theme of the National Chemistry Week is Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond. This is very appropriate because it is in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight.

I congratulate the American Chemical Society for their efforts to establish and sustain National Chemistry Week. I support this resolution, and recognize the value of chemistry and the goals of National Chemistry Week. I ask for its adoption by the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Chemistry Week to recognize Dr. Paul R. Jones from the University of North Texas, which is located in my district, for his outstanding career as an educator and researcher in the field of Organic Chemistry.

On Tuesday, Congress voted to pass H. Res. 395 that recognized the importance of national contributions made by those involved with the field of chemistry. I am proud to recognize the work of Dr. Paul R. Jones.

As a student at The University of North Texas, I had the opportunity to take one of Dr. Jones Chemistry courses which helped inspire me to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Jones received his PhD from Purdue University in 1966 and has taught at The University of North Texas for the last thirty-five years. While educating eager students, Dr. Jones served as an officer in the American Chemistry Society and the Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity.

Dr. Jones once said that the greatest fulfillment he gets out of life is seeing his students succeed; and I am here to say that his work as an educator truly did inspire me, and I'm sure countless other students. Dr. Paul R. Jones should serve as motivation for other educators.

Once again, I'd like to express my gratitude to Dr. Paul R. Jones for his dedication to the field of Chemistry, and for the knowledge he provided to me and thousands of other students over his long, successful career at The University of North Texas.