"This is about keeping America competitive in the 21st century” - Gabrielle Giffords
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives late tonight unanimously approved a proposal by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords to increase math and science educational opportunities for students who attend Hispanic-serving institutions.
Giffords' proposal - an amendment to the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007 - will directly impact the University of Arizona South, Pima Community College, Cochise College, and numerous other institutions of higher education throughout Arizona and across the nation, where Hispanic students constitute at least a quarter of full-time enrollment.
“This is about keeping America competitive in the 21st century,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “This is about laying the groundwork that will enable America to thrive - not just survive - in a global economy. This is about making sure our students have full and complete access to the math, science, engineering and technology programs that are essential to maintaining America's position as an academic superpower in the decades ahead.”
Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, introduced the amendment with Reps. Joseph Crowley of New York and Jerry McNerney of California. The goal, Giffords said, is to solve a problem raised by the National Academies, which found in their Rising Above the Gathering Storm report that the U.S. runs the risk of falling behind other nations if we fail to increase minority participation in math, science, engineering and technology.
The amendment allows the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive, merit-based grant program for Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance their programs in math, science, engineering and technology. The grants will support faculty development, stipends for undergraduate research and curriculum-improvement initiatives in these critical fields.
Academic leaders in Giffords' 8th Congressional District enthusiastically embraced the amendment.
“As President of a rural, Hispanic-serving institution, I applaud and strongly support any and all efforts to fund and expand undergraduate student access to the science, technology, engineering and math areas,” said Cochise College President Karen Nicodemus. “Research abounds in support of Congresswoman Gifford's amendment to direct resources to a growing, but historically underserved, student population whose full engagement and preparation for the 21st century workplace is critical.”
Dr. Ray Flores, chancellor of Pima Community College, agreed. “Our ability to increase minority graduates in science, technology, engineering and math degree programs will determine our relative position in the global economy,” he said. “If we fail to educate Hispanic and other minority populations in these fields, it will waste our potential workforce and damage our competitive capacity.”
Gerald L. Jubb, Jr., the interim associate vice president and dean of UA South, noted that the amendment “will provide new opportunities for meeting the needs of our Hispanic students” and help the Sierra Vista-based campus “meet its mission of serving communities in Southern Arizona and beyond.”
H.R. 1867, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007, passed the House in a 399-17 vote.