Supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 558, supporting computer science and the designation of National Computer Science Education Week, and I yield myself so much time as I may consume.

The purpose of this particular resolution is multifold. One, it's to recognize the importance of computer science and computer science education. Secondly, it is to recognize that we are falling behind as a nation in the number of computer scientists that we graduate. I had no idea of this until last year when I was visited by one of my constituents. The purpose of this resolution is also to honor that constituent, as well as Dr. Grace Hopper.

The constituent who took the time to visit me was Professor Joel Adams. He is the Chair of the Computer Science Department at Calvin College, a stellar liberal arts college located in my district in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He pointed out to me something that I was totally unaware of, even though I thought I kept up with all the problems in science. He told me he was very concerned about the small number of computer scientists that we are graduating, and was particularly concerned about the lack of students entering into computer science, either taking computer science courses in high school or majoring in computer sciences in their college or university careers.

Without the students enrolling in this field we are, of course, going to have a shortage of individuals in the future to develop computer science theory and practice in the United States of America. Therefore, I commend Professor Adams for bringing this to my attention. I also will commend in a few moments Dr. Hopper, who has been very effective in bringing computer science down to the level of elementary students.

I am very pleased today that we are considering this resolution, which turns our attention to the issue of computer science education. As you know, I have spent much time in Congress fighting for research in education, particularly education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, all of which are collectively called STEM.

I believe these STEM subjects hold special promise for the future of our Nation, and that it is very critical that all of our Nation's students receive a foundation in STEM. This helps develop well-rounded citizens and also may prepare some students to become the innovators of tomorrow.

As a former teacher, I always enjoy speaking to students in high schools, and I always have a little bit of fun with them, too, because high school students, out of custom, I think, tend not to want to study too hard and tend not to want to study too much science. Some people would say those go hand in hand.

But I always remind them of one thing. I ask them a question, first of all, who is the richest person in the world? Well, they all know that. Bill Gates.

How did he start out? Computer science.

Is he a nerd? No, he's not a nerd.

I said, Yes, he is. I know him personally, and he is a nerd of the first order. I say it's very important what courses you take in high school, because I can tell you one thing. When you get out and start looking for a job, you either are going to be a nerd or you are going to work for a nerd. Now which would you rather do?

Of course at that point they say, Well, I guess I'd rather be a nerd.

At any rate, somehow we have to reach the high school students and make them recognize that these issues are very important to their future.

It is very nice to have acronyms to catch these general areas, as we do in talking about STEM education, but the lines between these disciplines blur quickly when you step into the classroom and into the real world. One of the areas where we are facing a really unique challenge is in computer science.

It is very important that students in K-12 are exposed to computer science, and we have a shortage of teachers in high schools who are able to teach it in a meaningful way. Many students do not get a chance to learn about it in school, and even when they have a chance, they may not learn it as well as they should. The lack of understanding of computer science and how it fuels innovation in STEM disciplines contributes to a lack of interest in computing careers, especially among women and underrepresented minorities, whose participation rates in computer science are among the lowest of any scientific field.

By introducing students to computer science at an early age and providing them with learning experience in computer science at all educational levels, we can reverse this trend and expand and diversify our technology workforce.

Computing technology and the innovation it yields are transforming our world and are critical to our global competitiveness, particularly our economic competitiveness. However, we are not preparing an adequate and diverse workforce to meet the ever-growing demand for the information technology sector, which includes some of the country's most innovative and successful companies.

A 2009 Computer Science Teachers Association study shows that even in schools which employ computer science teachers, only a little more than half of the schools offer introductory courses in computer science, and the number of course offerings are declining. Given the enormous importance of these skills, we need to understand how to attract more students to these courses early in their education.

To raise awareness about the challenges facing computer science education, the resolution before us today

designates National Computer Science Education Week. The week of December 7 has been chosen to honor the birthday of Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first female computer scientists.

Dr. Hopper is best known for her 1953 invention of the compiler, the intermediate computer language that translates English language instructions into computer language. She came up with the compiler, she said, because she was ``lazy'' and hoped that ``the programmer may return to being a mathematician.'' Her work on compilers and getting machines to understand language instructions ultimately resulted in the COBOL business language.

I can say from personal experience I deeply appreciate the work she did, because when I first started using computers in 1957, I was writing programs in assembly language. It is just one step above the computer language itself. It was laborious, painstaking work to try to get the computer to understand what I was trying to do. Today, of course, we program in English or some other language and are able to accomplish much more as a result.

A mathematician by training, Dr. Hopper taught mathematics, served in the military, and held a vast variety of positions throughout her life in both the public and private sector. Her pioneering work, particularly in computer languages, underpins many of the tools used in today's digital computing.

I would like to share a quick anecdote about Dr. Hopper, as recounted by Merry Maisel of the San Diego Supercomputer Center.

``Most of us remember seeing Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper on television. We recall a charming, tiny white-haired lady in a Navy uniform with a lot of braid, admonishing a class of young naval officers to remember their nanoseconds. The `nanoseconds' she handed out were lengths of wire, cut to not quite 12 inches in length, equal to the distance traveled by electromagnetic waves along the wire in the space of a nanosecond--one billionth of a second. In teaching efficient programming methods, Rear Admiral Hopper wanted to make sure her students ``would not waste nanoseconds,'' and we are talking about the nanoseconds of computer operation.

``Occasionally, to make the demonstration even more powerful, she would bring to class an entire `microsecond,' a coil of wire nearly 1,000 feet long that the rear admiral, herself tough and wiry, would brandish with a sweeping gesture and a steady wrist.''

Dr. Hopper passed away in 1992. I am glad to honor her legacy with the designation of National Computer Science Education Week, as I also honor Professor Adams for calling to my attention the current shortfall in computer scientists.

This resolution also promotes cutting-edge professional development for teachers in order to encourage students to be exposed to computer science concepts and support researching ways to increase participation in this field. Without professional development, we will not train and retrain the necessary workforce to provide the education students need in computer science.

I hope my colleagues will join me today in recognizing the importance of computer science education and honoring the memory of Grace Murray Hopper. I would particularly like to thank my distinguished colleague from Colorado, Mr. Polis, for his early and steadfast support for this resolution and his work on it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will make some closing comments.

I thank the gentleman from Colorado for his comments. He knows whereof he speaks. He did a lot of good work in this area before he came to the Congress. He has been very helpful in the Education Committee in addressing these issues, and I appreciate that effort.

I think the key is to get children started in computer science at an early age. They love to deal with computers when they are doing video games and things of that sort. It is not too much of a leap to get them thinking about programming the computers, and that is the kind of knowledge that we need to develop in this Nation if we are going to remain competitive in the years ahead on the international scene.

So, I am delighted to recognize computer scientists in general, and I hope we do a better job of producing more and better computer scientists in this Nation so that we indeed will remain competitive and continue to lead the world in this particular area.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in today's knowledge-based economy, technological breakthroughs and innovations are the keys to economic growth and prosperity. As a former Internet entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand how computer technology is transforming people's lives throughout the world and represents a critical strategy for ensuring our Nation's global competitiveness.

The applications of computing innovations are present in every aspect of our lives and are fueling major changes in our society, from communications, to education, to health care, to defense, to how we interact with each other every day and conduct our transactions.

To maintain America's leadership and ensure that we remain at the forefront of cutting-edge technology advancements, we need to prepare and train a highly skilled and diverse workforce that can effectively meet the needs of the information technology sector, which includes some of the country's most innovative and successful companies.

In my Second Congressional District alone, we have IBM, Google, Qualcomm, Sun and Avaya. A forthcoming report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, NCWIT, based at the University of Colorado at Boulder, clearly demonstrates the ever-growing demand.

Computing professions rank among the top 10 fastest-growing professions. By 2016, there will be more than 1.5 million computer specialist jobs available. And yet the talent pool shrinks as the industry is failing to attract and retain an ample and diverse technology workforce. If current trends continue, the IT industry will only be able to fill half of its available jobs. By 2016, U.S. universities will produce only half of the computer science bachelor's degrees that are needed.

Obviously, this shortage requires a bold vision for, and major investments in, education. And while such an effort should permeate the entire spectrum of lifelong learning, the K-12 school system represents the most important area to provide students with a solid grounding in computer science and spark their interest in rewarding careers in information technology.

But, unfortunately, too many students don't get a chance to learn about computer science in schools today, especially women and under- represented minorities, whose participation rates in computer science are among the lowest in any scientific field.

Consider these facts. High school girls represent only 17 percent of computer science advanced placement test takers. Only 18 percent of computer and information science degrees were awarded to women in 2008, down from 37 percent in 1985. While women comprise almost half of the workforce, they hold less than a quarter of our Nation's IT-related professional jobs, down from 36 percent in 1991. Finally, only about 10 percent of the 2005 computer and information science graduates were African American and 6 percent Latino.

During my six year tenure on the Colorado State Board of Education and then as a charter school superintendent, I saw how a lack of understanding of computer science and its critical role in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM disciplines, contributes to lack of interest in computing careers. For example, in a recent survey among college freshman in the school district I live in, only 1 percent of them responded that they intend to major in computer science, double our State average, but still very discouraging.

There is some good news. The good news is we can reverse this trend and expand and diversify our technology workforce by introducing students to computer science at an early age and providing them with a learning experience in computer science at all educational levels.

Through cutting-edge professional development, we can assist teachers to encourage students to be exposed to computer science concepts. Through high quality computer science activities, including science scholarships, we can provide students with the critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives. And by researching and implementing the best practices to increase participation in the field, we can begin to lay the groundwork for preparing and encouraging diverse students to join the workforce that will launch a new era of innovation and economic growth.

That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in approving this bipartisan resolution that raises awareness about these important issues by supporting the designation of the week of December 7th as the National Computer Science Education Week, which honors the birthday of Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first female computer scientists.

As my colleague Mr. Ehlers said, it is better that our students become nerds than work for them.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 558) supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week, as amended.

Mr. 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 H. Res. 558, the resolution now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering H. Res. 558. I would like to thank my good friend from Michigan, Dr. Vern Ehlers, for his leadership on STEM education generally and for his resolution highlighting computer science education. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) for his work on the resolution.

Today's world is run by computers. From communications, to finance, to transportation and national defense, almost every facet of the modern world is tied to computers.

As we move forward in the 21st century, the country that leads in innovation in the computing and IT fields will very likely lead in productivity and economic growth. If we want America to be the leader, it is vitally important that we train the next generation of IT and computing professionals to provide this spark to our economy.

This resolution recognizes the importance of computer science education to our country, and encourages increased efforts and participation in this field. I want to highlight the attention this resolution pays to the important issue of increasing the involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in the computer science field.

If we want to be truly successful in our efforts to maintain an innovative economy, we need everyone in our country involved in the effort. This is true across the STEM fields, where the problem of underrepresentation of certain groups persists.

I want to once again thank Dr. Ehlers and Mr. Polis for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Dr. Ehlers for standing up for us nerds of America, as he does so well.

I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I want to once again thank Dr. Ehlers for his leadership in this area. It has been very evident by his conversation today of his passion that he brings to this important subject.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, due to an illness in my immediate family, I was unable to cast votes October 20 thru 23, 2009. If I had been present I would have cast the following votes:

Rollcall 790--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3763: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 791--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3319: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 792--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 558: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 793--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to S. 1793: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 794--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 811: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 795--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 837: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 796--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 660: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 797--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to S. Con. Res 43: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 798--H. Res. 846: On ordering the previous question Agreed to: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 799--H. Res. 846: Providing for consideration of H.R. 3585: On agreeing to the resolution: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 800--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 797: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 801--On Broun Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``No.''

Rollcall 802--On Kaptur Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 803--On Klein Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 804--On Titus-Teague-Cohen Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 805--On Heinrich Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 806--On Himes Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 807--On Passage of H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 808--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 175: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 809--H. Res. 853: On ordering the previous question: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 810--H. Res. 853: Providing Consideration for H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 811--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 836: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 812--On Kratovil Amendment to H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 813--On Passage of H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''

Madam Speaker, I regret that a death in my family delayed my return to Washington this week. I was, therefore, unable to cast a vote on a number of rollcall votes on Tuesday, October 20, and Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

Had I been present on Tuesday, October 20, I would have voted ``yes'' on H. Res. 558, supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week; ``yes'' on H.R. 3319, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 440 South Gulling Street in Portola, California, as the ``Army Specialist Jeremiah Paul McCleery Post Office Building''; and ``yes'' on H.R. 3763, amending the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for an exclusion from Red Flag Guidelines for certain businesses.

Had I been present on Wednesday, October 21, I would have voted ``yes'' on H. Res. 811, expressing support for designation of October 2009 as ``National Principals Month.'' No school can be great without a great principal, and my district is fortunate to have an outstanding group of principals. High-quality school leadership is critical to supporting America's next generation of leaders and innovators.

I also would have also voted ``yes'' on S. 1793, the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009; ``yes'' on H. Res. 837, recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan College for its service as an institution of higher education for over 150 years; ``yes'' on H. Res. 660, recognizing the distinguished history of the Laurinburg Normal Industrial Institute; and ``yes'' on S. Con. Res. 43, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to former Senator Edward Brooke.