Expressing support for designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as "Undergraduate Research Week".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1654) expressing support for designation of the week of October 24, 2010, as ``Undergraduate Research Week,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1654 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, which supports the designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as ``Undergraduate Research Week.'' The undergraduate students of our Nation's colleges and universities provide important research across many disciplines at over 600 colleges and universities each year.

Undergraduate research occurs in a number of fields, including arts and humanities, biology, chemistry, health sciences, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics and astronomy, psychology, social sciences, and many more. Students work with dedicated faculty mentors to produce important studies, findings, and reports that advance research in these fields.

Undergraduate research helps both individual students and the institutions they attend. Student researchers develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of research methodology which helps to prepare them for graduate education and their future careers. For institutions of higher education, undergraduate research promotes an innovation-oriented culture, bolsters research capacities, and improves retention rates by engaging students in the campus community.

In my State, the University of Hawaii's system invests heavily in undergraduate research opportunities across its campuses. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet two outstanding students from the University of Hawaii who presented their scientific research posters at a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony. Haunani Kane from UH Manoa and Nakoa Goo from UH Hilo are native Hawaiian students who were award winners in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program.

We know that increasing interest and participation among young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--the STEM disciplines--is crucial for the Nation's future economic competitiveness and for preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow. Undergraduate research in STEM fields offers students an opportunity to both become interested in careers in these areas and to learn important technical and research skills which prepare them for successful careers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Holt for bringing this resolution forward.

Once again, I express my support for Undergraduate Research Week, which recognizes all of the important contributions of our undergraduate students to research at our Nation's colleges and universities. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1654.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and especially at this time, at a time when we need to be strengthening and enhancing our STEM education. I think that this is a very important resolution to focus our attention on those issues.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentlelady, and I rise in support of H. Res. 1654. We would like to see the week of April 11, 2011, designated as ``Undergraduate Research Week.''

Mr. Speaker, as a scientist and an educator, I know the value of undergraduate research both for the students and for the research enterprise. Undergraduate researchers formed the backbone of my research program when I was a faculty member at Swarthmore College, and they also contributed valuable work to my research at New York University and at Princeton University. I watched as their hands-on experiences with the process of discovery helped them develop skills that cannot be obtained just in the classroom, and I watched as it heightened their understanding of science and their enthusiasm for research. I might add, they produced excellent research.

Around the country, thousands of students at hundreds of colleges and universities are involved in undergraduate research experiences that will shape the trajectories of their lives and their careers. Yet we would benefit if thousands more were involved.

Recently, the National Academies followed up on their ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report from 2005 with an account this year of America's progress over the previous 5 years. They concluded, in part, if the United States is to remain competitive, we need to preserve an adequate supply of creative, leading-edge, innovative American researchers. Early involvement in the real-world practice of science is very valuable in meeting this goal, and it is equally vital to our economic progress. It produces a scientifically literate society as well.

I commend the students and faculty who are participating in undergraduate research programs across the country and in organizations that support their

work, such as the Council on Undergraduate Research, the Research Corporation, the National Science Foundation and many others. I encourage our colleges, universities, and Federal agencies to continue robust support for these programs, and to work together to develop new opportunities for all interested students to participate in undergraduate research.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, expressing support for the designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as ``Undergraduate Research Week.''

Almost 600 colleges and universities in the United States offer opportunities for undergraduate research. Undergraduate research opportunities encourage students to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and may intrigue students to pursue research opportunities in their educational and professional futures.

Research at all levels of education encourages innovation and discovery essential to the future of the United States. Undergraduate research in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines can foster a student's interest in these fields, which are vital to the success of our Nation and of the world today.

Undergraduate Research Week recognizes the importance of undergraduate research. It encourages colleges and universities, businesses and other organizations to recognize the occasion. I support this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker I have no requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.