Congratulating the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction competition.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 862) congratulating the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Competition, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days in which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H. Res. 862.

Madam Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) for such time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I recognize myself for such time as I may consume.

First of all, it is always a privilege to follow Mrs. Biggert to the microphone, particularly when she speaks on

education. Her support of education at every level is well known well beyond the borders of Illinois. And this country's educational system is much better off because of her devotion to education.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 862, congratulating the staff of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Competition.

Each year the Intel Corporation holds an annual ``Intel Schools of Distinction'' competition. The awards recognize schools in the United States that implement innovative math and science programs and serve as role models for other schools. Among the 18 schools that qualify for the Intel Schools of Distinction honor, one school is selected to receive the highly prestigious Star Innovator award. Finalists, Winners, and the Star Innovator all receive a cash grant from the Intel Foundation. The Star Innovator is given a $25,000 grant. On September 15, 2009, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy was selected as a 2009 Star Innovator.

Established in 1985, the idea, as Mr. Foster mentioned, was first created by Nobel Prize winner Leon Lederman, who set out to craft a school that not only would provide children with an invaluable education in science and mathematics, but also train thousands of Illinois teachers in the art of teaching those skills.

Students at the Illinois Math and Science Academy design and conduct hands-on experiments, make observations, analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate evidence-based principles. Students are able to delve into the scientific literature and build understanding by blending information and investigation through writing. Students are given opportunities to partner with cutting-edge scientists on diagnostics, nanotechnology, medical research, and more.

At the center of achievement at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an excellent staff. They utilize cutting-edge facilities and technology to advance student achievement. Of the 18 science faculty members, 11 have a Ph.D. Numerous alumni are currently working at the head of their fields in such diverse industries as aerospace engineering, biotechnology, forensic science, and academic institutions across the globe.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has clearly demonstrated a continued dedication to offering the kind of education necessary to create future generations of scientists in the United States, and thus secure the future of scientific research in this country. Awarding them the Star Innovator award not only credits them for doing an outstanding job educating our youth in math and science, but also helps grant them the funds to continue their success.

Madam Speaker, once again I express my support and congratulations for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Competition, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, I am here on the floor today to speak in support of H. Res. 862 honoring the Illinois Math and Science Academy for its receipt of the Intel Corporation's Star Innovator Award. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a school of outstanding academic quality in my district, but I am also speaking in support of bringing the attention of this body to the importance of education in science, mathematics, and other quantitative fields.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy was first proposed by Leon Lederman, the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1988 as a way of ensuring that top flight and motivated Illinois children receive an invaluable education in science and mathematics, and also to train thousands of Illinois teachers in the art of teaching those skills. Under the guidance of Stephanie Pace Marshall, this institution blossomed into an institution that has graduated many famous and accomplished graduates, including the inventor of the original Web browser, Mosaic, the founder of YouTube, and dozens of surgeons, teachers, fighter pilots, scientists, and, yes, even financial services experts. We employ an IMSA graduate in our congressional office today.

The award that this school received last September, Intel Corporation's Star Innovator award, has its own rich history of promoting science in the United States. The progenitor of this award was first given out in 1942, then referred to as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. This award was given out under this name for over 50 years and was highly recognized as the highest scientific honor that any high school student could receive.

A decade ago, this program was taken over by Intel, the company that invented the microprocessor and a company that recognizes the crucial importance of math and science education to the economic future of our country. The name of the award and its primary sponsor may have changed, but the award itself and the high academic honor associated with it continue to this day.

Under Intel's guidance, the program now includes awards honoring not only students and teachers, but innovative institutions specializing in math and science education as well. As a scientist myself, I see the need for recognizing and congratulating scientific achievement at all ages. We need not just this award, not just corporate sponsorships, not just economic awards, but also a new cultural appreciation for the value of individuals with extensive quantitative skills in math, science, and engineering, and other technical disciplines.

But I also have a special reason to be proud of this award. As it turns out, my daughter is one of the many proud alums who call IMSA their alma mater. My daughter recently graduated from Stanford, and I am happy to report that she is now gainfully employed doing work she enjoys, certainly one of the key milestones in any parent's lifetime.

While the Illinois Math and Science Academy lies in the Illinois 14th Congressional District that I represent, I am proud to be joined in this congratulation by the entire Illinois delegation. And in particular, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), IMSA's neighbor to the east, who has always been a strong supporter of math and science education, as well as the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 862, which congratulates the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, commonly known as IMSA, which is located in Aurora, Illinois, for winning the 2009 Star Innovator award. And I would like to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) for offering this resolution and also for all of the work he has done in math and science and in education. We really do need to continue to work to have more scientists, more engineers, and more mathematicians if we are going to compete in the global economy.

IMSA was founded in 1985. It does enroll the most talented 10th through 12th graders in the State of Illinois. Since its founding, it has graduated 4,000 students, including many from nearby communities. I have had the opportunity to have many of those students come from my district. IMSA students go on to pursue exciting careers in the latest cutting-edge fields: mathematics, engineering, and science. And just a few more facts on where these IMSA alumni have gone. They were founding teams for many Web sites, many Web site innovations, including Netscape, PayPal, and YouTube, as the gentleman from Illinois recognized.

Each year Intel gives this Star Innovator award to a school that provides high quality, cutting-edge math and science instruction in a unique and enriching environment. It is a boarding school, but the kids have the opportunity to go home on the weekend, but they work really, really hard and concentrate on their studies and they come out with a great education and are able to move forward.

I am a long-time advocate also of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM education, and I have been since my tenure here in Congress. I am really delighted to see that this school is recognized for its innovative curriculum, its administration, its teachers, and the high caliber of graduates that it produces. If we are really to strive to develop a workforce for the 21st century and be able to participate in the global economy--we always think of our country as having the innovation and the creativity--well, this is where it comes from. It is from schools like this that produce the graduates that are able to carry forth in these fields.

I hope that IMSA will be a model for other schools throughout the country. I think the more recognition it gets, the more we will find that these schools are so important to our economy.

Please join us in supporting this important resolution in encouraging excellence among our Nation's schools and giving those best students the opportunity to participate in something like this.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 862 congratulating the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction competition.

Math and science education at all levels is a necessary part of strengthening the future of scientific research in the United States. As a result of the changing nature of the global economy, American economic competitiveness is now at the forefront. Emphasizing math and science education will ensure a competitive 21st century workforce.

Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).

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