[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5] [House] [Pages 6010-6012] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]MATHEMATICS AWARENESS MONTH Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1270) expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1270 Whereas current educational and economic trends indicate that the demand for employees with a high-quality mathematics education could exceed the supply of individuals with such an education; Whereas students who pursue a postsecondary education in mathematics have a broad range of career choices upon graduation; Whereas Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness Week; Whereas April 2010, is recognized as Mathematics Awareness Month; Whereas the theme for Mathematics Awareness Month 2010, ``Mathematics and Sports'', highlights uses for an education in mathematics across a broad range of subjects and helps to show students the role of mathematics in their everyday lives and interests; Whereas mathematics is found in sports in the forms of measurement, time, computation, fractions, statistics, and probability; and Whereas Mathematics Awareness Month encourages colleges, universities, and other organizations to hold events that draw and retain students to the field of mathematics: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mathematics Awareness Month; (2) encourages colleges, universities, and other organizations to hold events to honor Mathematics Awareness Month; and (3) supports increased public awareness and appreciation for the importance of mathematics at all levels of the educational system in the United States. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands. General Leave Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1270 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands? There was no objection. Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1270, which recognizes the important role of mathematics in our schools and in our country. Family members, as children's first teachers, are crucial to student success. The more adults become engaged in their children's education, the greater the chances that children will succeed. Parents teach children academic fundamentals by reading to them and by counting with them. Mathematics Awareness Month provides a venue for students from kindergarten through high school and their families to celebrate and learn math. Institutes of higher education and professional organizations organize community events that highlight math problem- solving and how math is used in a variety of careers. To succeed in tomorrow's world, students must understand algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability. Business and industry demand workers who can solve real-world problems, who can explain their thinking to others, who can identify and analyze trends from data, and who can use modern technology. Our Nation's economic competitiveness depends upon rich math knowledge that can fuel industry by our citizenry. Tackling prominent social and health challenges will require professionals skilled in mathematics. Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness Week, and it became a monthlong [[Page 6011]] celebration in 1999. Math has been commemorated this way every April for almost 25 years. The theme of this year's Mathematics Awareness Month is ``Sports.'' All over the country, students and their families can attend community events to learn about math in baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, track and field, tennis, and, actually, car racing. Additionally, the Mathematics Awareness Month Web site provides videos and links to other resources. Mathematics Awareness Month also provides an opportunity for us all to recognize the dedication of our Nation's math educators and to purposefully look for ways to increase mathematical excellence for all of our children. I commend the colleges, universities, and organizations which hold events to draw and retain students into the field of mathematics. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Mathematics Awareness Month, and I hope this resolution serves to inspire our Nation's citizenry to seek out events near them. I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Washington, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the sponsor of this bill. Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1270, a resolution expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month. Over the last several decades, there has been a growing concern with the low number of students who are graduating with a degree in mathematics. A 2002 report issued by the National Science Foundation found that the number of math degrees represented 1 percent of all bachelor's degrees in 1998, which was down from 1\1/2\ percent in 1985. Our concern is that the demand for those with mathematics degrees has and will continue to significantly exceed the available number of individuals qualified to meet our Nation's employment needs in the areas requiring math backgrounds. Mathematics Awareness Month is intended to raise public awareness and the appreciation for mathematics. First recognized as Mathematics Awareness Week by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, the need for increased outreach was recognized. In 1999, Mathematics Awareness Month was established, and it has been recognized every year since by the Federal Government and by interested stakeholders to increase visibility and to highlight math's relevancy and importance to our economic future. This month, Mathematics Awareness Month will focus on the relationship between math and sports, emphasizing the role that math plays in sports, such as time and measurement and statistics and probability. I think what's interesting is that a 2005 GAO report found that teacher effectiveness between grades kindergarten and 12th was critical to a student's ongoing interest in mathematics. As we move forward with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we should be cognizant of what is resonating with students and what is not, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. Mathematics Awareness Month is one example of how we can help teachers make that important practical connection with students in needed areas of study. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a longtime advocate of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--or STEM--education during my tenure here in Congress, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1270, expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month. In our increasingly global and technology-based economy, math education has become even more important to ensuring our Nation's continued economic competitiveness. Learning math is financially beneficial for both our Nation's economy and for our students. In 2010, the top 10 highest paying college majors were all related to math, science, and engineering. Unfortunately, recent National Association of Educational Progress--NAEP--test scores has shown little or no progress among our fourth and eighth grade students since 2007. Despite the best efforts of many, this data demonstrate that much more must be done to improve mathematics education and to demonstrate its relevance to our Nation's students. That is why the Joint Policy Board of Mathematics has chosen the 2010 theme ``Mathematics and Sports'' for this year's Mathematics Awareness Month. It will highlight the intersection of the sports world with the wide world of mathematics, a universal language which is used to investigate questions ranging from the trajectory of a baseball to the weight of a star. Sports offer a variety of data, strategies, and probabilities which are each uniquely suited to mathematical analysis. Beyond its obvious use in evaluating baseball players and football quarterbacks, mathematics is necessary to design the dimple patterns on golf balls and the composition of racing tires. Today's baseball and basketball teams are even utilizing complex, new mathematical formulas to assemble the best teams at the lowest cost. This sports theme will provide students with countless opportunities to apply a range of math skills on real-life issues they encounter every day. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Mathematics Awareness Month, and I urge my colleagues to join me in encouraging all schools, colleges, universities, and other organizations to recognize the importance of mathematics in their own curricula. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1270 to express support for Mathematics Awareness Month. This year, Mathematics Awareness Month will take place in April with the theme of ``Mathematics and Sports.'' Events and demonstrations will take place across the country and include a variety of workshops, exhibits, competitions, and lectures to both educate people and encourage the study of mathematics. As our society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, professionals who have a deep understanding of math and science are going to be in high demand. For this reason it is imperative that we educate the coming generation to truly understand mathematics and how it can be applied to everyday life. Simply put, our economy is going to demand an understanding of mathematics, and it is imperative that we rise to the challenge and teach our young people the mathematics skills they need. Mr. Speaker, throughout my years in Congress, I have been an avid supporter of mathematics, engineering, and other related fields. I fully believe that we have to hold mathematics education in higher regard as innovation is a direct byproduct of a deep understanding of this field. For this reason, Mathematics Awareness Month is incredibly important, and I encourage my fellow colleagues to join me today in supporting this resolution for both our students and the future of our country. Mrs. BIGGERT. Seeing that I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1270, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1270. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. [[Page 6012]] ____________________