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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today supported two pieces of legislation as part of a larger innovation agenda to foster economic growth and make our nation more able to compete successfully in the global economy. The bills would add thousands of highly qualified math and science teachers to our schools and encourage innovative research among our young scientists and researchers.
"North Florida is home to many colleges and universities with exceptional science and research programs and dedicated teachers," Congressman Boyd said. "Both bills support these programs, our teachers, and the future innovators-our young people."
The "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act" (HR 362) would improve the national corps of math and science teachers, both by recruiting new teachers and by developing and supporting current ones. This legislation creates thousands of new teachers and establishes summer institutes and graduate programs to provide specific training in the areas of math and science.
Additionally, the "Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act" (HR 363) would strengthen research and innovation here at home and help the United States maintain its leadership around the world. Specifically, HR 363 supports outstanding researchers in the early stages of their careers through grants; establishes a Presidential Innovation Award to stimulate scientific and engineering advances; and sets up a national coordination office to identify and prioritize research infrastructure needs at universities and national laboratories.
"Our young people are the future of our great country, and they often hold new, fresh ideas that will help to improve our lives and our standing in the global economy," said Congressman Boyd. "It is so important that we invest in our young researchers, who are the source of some of the most innovative research today."
Based on the recommendations of the National Academies' widely-acknowledged "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" report, both HR 362 and HR 363 represent the culmination of two years of work with academic and business leaders to determine the best ways to make our workforce ready for global competition.
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