Tax Relief for Transportation Workers Act of 2009

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1097), supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 1097, the resolution now under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1097, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week.

I would first like to thank my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, Mr. Lipinski, for introducing this resolution. As one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, Mr. Lipinski has and will continue to be a strong advocate for engineers and engineering on the Science and Technology Committee and in Congress.

National Engineers Week, which was held from February 14 to February 20, has grown into a formal coalition of more than 100 engineering, education, and cultural societies, major corporations, and government agencies. Its goal is to raise public awareness of the significant positive contributions to society by engineers and encourage students to become engineers.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. It also pledges that the House of Representatives will work with the engineering community to make sure that the creativity and contribution of the engineering community can be expressed through research, development, standardization, education, and innovation.

This is a vitally important cause for our country's future well- being. As China and India graduate record numbers of engineers, the number of engineering graduates in the United States is stagnant. This is a troubling sign for our ability to maintain our edge as the world's technologic leader.

I might add that numbers alone do not tell the story. Quality, as well as quantity, counts, and traditionally we in this country have focused on quality and maintaining the best education system and the best professional and technical communities that we can, and we intend to maintain that lead in quality also.

We also need to continue to highlight the importance engineers play in our

society and encourage our young people to enter into these careers. Engineering is a challenging field, but one that can be truly rewarding for both the engineer and our society.

I ask you to join me in supporting this effort, and urge passage of House Resolution 1097.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), the Chair of the Research Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to agree with my good friend and colleague from Georgia that America does indeed, does indeed, have the best care system in the world, if you can pay for it. And the great struggle in which we find ourselves today is the challenge of coming together--of coming together to help all Americans be able to pay for their health care. And I want to thank my friend for his service as a physician and as a Member of this body.

I also want to thank Dr. Ehlers, a Ph.D. and physicist, for his service in this body. We have worked on many issues together in a bipartisan fashion because these tend to be the issues which come before the Science and Technology Committee. For years, I was his ranking member and he was the chairman. For a few years, I was the chairman and he was my ranking member. It did not matter who was playing which role in our agreement or, quite frankly, in our disagreement. But we were always honest about it, and we were able to work together for the public good. Dr. Ehlers, Vern, thank you for your public service.

Today, I hope that my parents are actually watching C-SPAN because they are both research engineers. At a certain level, I remain concerned that they still regret that I left science and technology, first for law, and now for what I'll call public service. When I was here on this floor being sworn in, I can remember seeing them right there. And what was going through my head was, You know, I wonder if my dad is still angry that I left science and technology. He cares about it, and my mom does also, because they realize that engineering is hard and that it's important. Recognition in this resolution today is appropriate because it recognizes that engineering is hard.

All of us can remember that when we went through college, the engineers took these classes where they worked really, really hard, and they got three credits for it. We took some other things that weren't quite as hard, and we got five credits for it. So it is a difficult thing for a student, and it remains challenging as a young professional. I think that this body and this Nation should recognize and celebrate those things which are hard, at least in part just because they are hard. We should do some things because they are hard; we should do more of. That is the American way--to work your way through, to earn your way through, to step up to the challenge.

Today, we take a small step with this resolution of recognition. I ask that all Members support H.R. 1097.

I'm happy to yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

I thank the gentleman. I am concerned about my dad. I think my mom realizes that I'm doing my best, and I'm just trying to keep science and technology and engineering well funded through this committee.

Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to support the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1097, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. As one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, as Chairman Wu mentioned, I am proud to again sponsor this resolution honoring National Engineers Week.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, for working with me on this resolution and on many other issues. Unfortunately for this institution and for America's science and technology policy, Dr. Ehlers announced a couple of weeks ago that he is retiring at the end of the year. We are going to miss his leadership and knowledge, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering, and math education. I will particularly miss working with him as a co-Chair of the STEM Ed Caucus. Promoting STEM Ed, and especially engineering education, is a big part of what National Engineers Week is all about.

Two weeks ago marked the 20th anniversary of National Engineers Week, and for each of the 5 years I have introduced this resolution, it seems to get more important.

We continue to fall behind other countries in the STEM fields, with China seemingly poised to overtake us as the leading producer of knowledge within a decade. Our infrastructure continues to languish, and we face serious energy and water challenges in our country. At the same time, we face an urgent need to create jobs.

If we want to solve these problems, any of these problems, we need engineers. Of course, engineers build bridges and airplanes, but they also are the ones who design our computer networks and turn new discoveries into products, industries, and jobs. The more than 2 million engineers in the U.S. have helped make our country great, but we need more of them, and we need to recognize the contributions they have made and continue to make to our Nation.

National Engineers Week seeks to address this problem through events aimed at educating youth and fostering public awareness about the vital contributions made by engineers to our quality of life and our economic prosperity. Through programs like Future City Competition, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and the first robotics competition, the National Engineers Week Foundation confronts the challenge of encouraging more students to pursue careers in engineering. Engineering Week comprises numerous events like the ones I just mentioned.

Another example is students learning the value of teamwork as they work in groups to create creative and practical solutions to some of the most important problems facing our Nation and the world. Projects like designing future cities make engineering come alive for students, planting a seed that can lead to further studies or a career in engineering. In fact, research shows our children's early experience with science and engineering are a stronger prediction of long-lasting interest in science fields than aptitude tests. By drawing upon volunteers throughout country, Engineers Week reaches thousands of parents, teachers, and students, exposing them to the excitement of engineering in a real and tangible way.

I can attest that my own childhood experiences with science and engineering captivated me. As I grew up, I was always fascinated with the way things work. I remember going to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Touring the coal mine and watching the model trains run over this enormous track layout that they had were two of my favorite activities. These exhibits excited and captivated me. Most importantly, though, I remember the teachers in school who helped mold this childhood fascination into an interest in engineering. All these experiences instilled in me the knowledge, confidence, and intellectual curiosity needed to pursue an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University, and a master's degree in systems engineering at Stanford.

One of the central goals of National Engineers Week is to provide this kind of inspiration, inspiration that I had as a child, to inspire the next generation of students. We desperately need these students, since it's projected that by 2012, about 46 percent of all engineering jobs could become vacant due to retirement by the aging workforce. Educating and exciting America's youth about engineering and science needs to be a national priority. I understand personally that an engineering education is useful, no matter what someone decides to do. My education helps me understand science and technology issues, STEM education, transportation, manufacturing, and risk analysis.

But it is more than knowledge. Engineering is problem-solving. There are so many problems that we need to find solutions to, in our Nation and in the world, and engineers will be involved in finding all of these solutions.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to again thank the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, as well as the 27 other cosponsors of this resolution. I'd also like to thank Senator Kaufman for introducing a companion resolution in the Senate. Above all, I'd especially like to thank the engineers who have contributed so much to America and honor them for their commitment to continuing to better our society. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, H. Res. 1097 supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, which was celebrated this year February 14th through the 20th. The National Society of Professional Engineers established one of America's oldest professional outreach efforts, National Engineers Week, in 1951, to coincide with President George Washington's birthday. President Washington is considered our Nation's first engineer, notably for his survey work.

National Engineers Week is observed by more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and governing agencies. The purpose of National Engineers Week is to call attention to the contributions to society that engineers make. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science, and technical skills.

During this week, a wide range of activities are planned in order to promote interest in engineering and technology fields in the K-12 levels. Some of the events this year included Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, which was held on February 18th. Schools and businesses around the country used this to spark interest and enthusiasm for science and engineering among young women.

Also Discover Engineering Family Day in Washington, D.C., occurred on February 20, 2010, at the National Building Museum. After a full day of hands-on activities and amazing demonstrations, kids and their parents went home with a new appreciation for the wonders of engineering.

Engineers are a vital part of the American economy. Everywhere you turn, there is evidence of the hard work of an engineer. From designing and constructing cardiac pacemakers to the very form of transportation we use to move us from one place to another, engineering is all around us.

I applaud our American engineers and their ingenuity and am pleased to see opportunities such as National Engineers Week that raise awareness and give credit to all of the engineers and their valuable work and contributions to society. I hope that the awareness spreads interest in this rewarding profession to all young people of this Nation.

I support the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

A lot of kids in this country think that engineers

just drive trains, and it's unfortunate that that's true. But this bill, recognizing the work of engineers, is so important. Our service academies have big engineering departments--in all of our military service academies. In my own field of medicine, it's engineers in the medical field that create a lot of the new products that have helped save lives in America and has helped us have the best health care system in the world.

Bringing forth the idea of educating the American public to the importance of engineering, I think, is extremely valuable. We need to encourage our kids to consider careers in engineering because we owe, in our economy and in our society, a tremendous amount not only to those engineers that drive the trains around and help deliver the goods that we need throughout the country, but the other engineers that go to great lengths to help improve our lives and have made America the greatest Nation in the world for our innovation and our technology. And it's engineers that we owe just a tremendous debt of gratitude to for what they do for this society.

So I'm very eager to see this legislation pass. I'm very proud to be here on the floor managing this bill. And I encourage all of our Members to support this legislation so that young men and women across this Nation can understand the importance of engineering--that all of society can--and will help to develop interest in the engineering field so that young men and women will go into engineering so we can continue with the design and innovation that has made this country great and will continue the greatness of America.

With that, I congratulate Mr. Lipinski and my good friend, Dr. Ehlers, for this legislation. I ask all of our colleagues to support this legislation.

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

I thank the gentleman for yielding a moment.

I was just sitting here thinking, I'm sure Mr. Wu's parents are extremely proud of him, and he can tell them that he is engaged in engineering. He's engaged in policy engineering and social engineering here in the U.S. House of Representatives. And I'm proud that he's my friend. We have a great time in Science and Technology because we can work together and can put personalities aside. Mr. Wu has been just a phenomenal friend and member of this committee, and I congratulate him. I'm sure the Wu family is extremely proud of him, even though he's not in technical engineering. He's involved in some kind of engineering here in another form today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1097, a resolution recognizing National Engineers Week and the great contributions of engineers across this nation. From increasing energy efficiency to designing world-class skyscrapers to launching the space shuttle, engineers have paved the way for American progress. Our modern society exists as a testament to their commitment to invention, imagination and scientific wonder. Engineers have written the pages of our history while also plotting the direction of our future. National Engineers Week recognizes the accomplishments of America's engineers and promotes a new generation of discovery.

Today, engineers are tackling the largest issues of our time. For example, Argonne National Laboratory, located in my home state of Illinois, is working with government, industry and international partners to provide nuclear energy that is safe, dependable and environmentally manageable. Educational institutions such as the Engineering Department at Western Illinois University have nurtured creativity and leadership among its students for decades. Western's reputation for excellence has drawn students from around the world and has produced not only fine engineers but also extraordinary leaders of business and science.

Among the many reasons I joined the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, S.T.E.M., Education Caucus was to promote ingenuity among the bright minds of the American people. Engineering is a key component to providing the solutions our nation needs to take on the challenges that lie ahead. I am proud to tout the impressive engineering feats that have taken place throughout my district in both the public and private sectors of West Central Illinois. I hope to continue working with my colleagues on the S.T.E.M. Education Caucus to craft bipartisan, pro-engineering legislation to boost America to the forefront of global competitiveness once more.

America's future is only bound by our imagination. The imagination and innovation of America's engineers will continue to promote the growth and development of America, ensuring that our future will have no limit. Engineers have not only contributed to our stride in science and technology, but to our economy, our culture and our lives.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague from Illinois, Representative Daniel Lipinski for introducing this worthy resolution which merits congressional action. I invite all of our colleagues to recognize National Engineers Week so that we may honor their contributions, past, present and future.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 1097, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. Throughout my career at the local, State and Federal level, I have worked with engineers in Oregon and around the country on some of the world's biggest challenges. From addressing climate change to creating livable communities to helping deliver clean water to poor people around the world, engineers are often the first to roll up their sleeves and build solutions.

Over the past 10 years, I have seen a revolution within the engineering community, as both companies and individuals have been playing increasingly innovative roles. Organizations such as the American Council of Engineering Companies and the American Society of Civil Engineers have done a tremendous job of educating Members of Congress and the public about the infrastructure challenges this Nation faces as well as presenting commonsense solutions. I hope they will continue to work to leverage their colleagues and their communities to make even more progress on these fronts.

Engineers are leading the charge to renew and rebuild America in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, and I am pleased that we can honor them with this resolution highlighting National Engineers Week.