October 14, 1988 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 31143 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ADDRESS TO MISSOURI SOCIE­ As engineers in the midst of this changing Kansas City region was vying for location of TY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGI­ scenario, I am sure you are as aware as I of the SEMATECH project, a multi-corpora­ this imbalance. Other nations, Japan in par­ tion, high-technology center for developing NEERS ticular, are stepping into the technological high-speed computers. Missouri did not win void and taking advantage of our ideas. its bid for the project, and part of the HON. IKE SKELTON What hurts the most is that the products of reason was reportedly that we did not have U.S. research are being sold back to Ameri­ the higher education and technological re­ OF MISSOURI can consumers, with foreign interests raking sources needed to house the program. IN THE HOUSE OF REP~ESENTATIVES in the profits. Right now, we Americans are Whether or not we agree with this assess­ Thursday, October 13, 1988 the losers in this high-stakes game. ment, Missourians came out the losers. Let's look specifically at the field of engi­ We've talked at length about the problems Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on October 8, I neering. As I noted earlier, engineering en­ we face. What we need now is a good look at had the opportunity to speak with the Missouri rollments nationwide have decreased in this the possible solutions, particularly the ways Society of Professional Engineers when they decade, including in some Missouri schools. in which the federal government can help met at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO. My re­ In 1986, some 95,000 new engineering jobs keep America at the forefront of the world's marks to the society, a hard-working group came open and another 95,000 opened high-technology advances. through retirement, deaths, and career Specifically in terms of engineering, we dedicated to the success of the Show Me changes. At the same time, only about have several options: First, we can recruit State's engineering efforts, centered on the 80,000 students received an engineering individuals trained in other fields such as need for increased education in basic math bachelor degree in 1986. You can see the chemistry, physics and mathematics whose and science. My address to the group follows: kind of gap this leaves. skills can be applied to engineering; second, REMARKS OF CONGRESSMAN IKE SKELTON Another disturbing trend is that current­ we can expand graduate assistantships and ly, 60 percent of doctoral candidates in stipends to attract more engineers to doctor­ Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I American engineering schools are foreign­ ate programs and most importantly, we can am pleased to be part of the Missouri Socie­ born. Why is that so troublesome? Because encourage women and minorities to choose ty of Professional Engineers convention and many of these students will take their high­ engineering careers. to be here at Whiteman Air Force Base. I technology education home. Again, America While there are important steps to help appreciate the opportunity to be with you is the loser. fill the current needs of our engineering in­ today. Furthermore, last year, the Congressional dustry, we must go beyond the symptoms if Whiteman Air Force Base should provide Research Service completed a study for me we want to reach the core of the problem. a confortable setting for this group of engi­ on the "supply and demand" of engineers We have to make science, math, and engi­ neers, as Whiteman will be the site for one and scientists in America. In particular, the neering education accessible to our children. of America's most exciting and ingenious study noted that "the engineering college And that means we continue to make educa­ engineering feats of the century in terms of faculty shortage as well as the graying of tion a top federal policy issue. This year, for national security. As you know, Whiteman the science and engineering faculty in gen­ the first time since 1981, I am pleased to will house the first operational base for the eral, may play an important underlying role report that the President requested a sub­ Stealth Bomber which-while we've only in the United States' ability to continue its stantial increase in federal education fund­ seen an artist's rendering to date-appears current scientific and technological lead in ing. This increase was long overdue. to be a significant step forward for high­ the world." Now we need to ensure that a fair share of technology American engineering. Why are we falling behind in terms of these monies go to basic math and science I also should point out that nearby is an­ sheer numbers and, in turn, jeopardizing education. The funds can be used to create a other important facet of our nation's engi­ America's engineering and technological su­ more in-depth, hands-on science curricula neering talents. On June 1, Fort Leonard periority? I believe this is due in large part for our youngsters; to recruit teachers who Wood officially began flying the colors of to the shortfall of our educational system in are proficient in scientific teaching; to inte­ the Army Engineering School. The reloca­ terms of basic math and science skills. grate science teaching with our school sub­ tion of the Engineering School from Fort Unless we can spark our children's interest jects; and to develop regional science cen­ Belvoir to Fort Leonard Wood means that at an early age in the world of science and ters that would provide teaching methods our state houses the core of the Army's­ mathematics, we obviously have a much and materials for educators. and our Nation's-engineering program. smaller chance of seeing these young men As chairman of the Congressional Rural Ladies and gentlemen, we have a problem and women choose a career in research or Caucus and as a native Missourian, I also that we need to talk about today. It's a engineering or science. have a special interest in making sure that problem where out country-once unpar­ Unfortunately, we also have a problem in school children in rural America have equal alled in its technological success-is falling terms of our national math and science cur­ access to this increased math and science behind other nations in our scientific, engi­ riculum. In September, the Educational funding. Currently school children in rural neering and technological advances. It's a Testing Service released a federally funded schools are less likely to have access to ad­ problem where the number of American stu­ project called, "The Science Report Card." vanced science courses than their urban dents enrolled in engineering has decreased The study showed that science literacy cousins. In addition, suburban schools are, by 17 ,000 since 1980. And it's a problem among America's school children is at an by and large, better equipped for science in­ where only seven percent of our 17-year-olds "alarming and depressing" level and that struction than schools in rural and farming have sufficient skills to succeed in college­ more than half of the nation's 17-year-olds communities. We must balance the scales of level science courses. are so poorly educated in science that they our educational system. cannot benefit from special job training and If we want to get back into the game and My friends, we do indeed have a problem. cannot perform work requiring basic techni­ to maintain our traditional lead in science In the early and mid-1900s, this nation cal understanding. Sadly, there is also a and engineering, this is where we must was unrivalled in its success for inventing, marked "gender gap" that shows girls well begin-at the heart of the matter. The designing and producing technologies that behind boys in science proficiency, and mi­ future of American engineering is in the changed and catalyzed the world. norities are well behind the pack as well. hands of our children, so we must be sure Recently, columnist Jack Anderson Worst of all, the Science Report Card that those hands a.re well-prepared for the summed up how that situation has changed shows American school children at all levels job. in the last decade or so: "New technologies performed far behind children of the same Over the past few years, I have worked are still coming out of America, but they're age in most of the other 14 nations sur­ with other members of Congress to craft a being developed, packaged and marketed by veyed. trade bill that would help American indus­ Japan. Unless present trends are reversed, Missouri has felt the impact of this grow­ try compete in the international market­ Japan will surpass the United States as the ing need for mathematics and science educa­ place. That is a.n important step for Ameri­ world's No. 1 technological power." tion in our high-tech world. Recently, the ca's technological resurgence. And now we e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 19-059 0-89-48 (Pt. 21) 31144 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 14, 1988 can continue that effort by preparing our Center for Ulcer Research and Education that Illinois cares about protecting its natural children for their turn at the wheel. Foundation. environment. I am confident in your skills as our engi­ Children's Liver Foundation.