Capitol Monitor ....
Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Fourth District of Virginia 

October 14, 2005

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In this Issue

1. Discovering Our Future

2. October: Fire Safety Month

 

 

::  Point of View  ::

Wearing his blue NASA jumpsuit, his hair neatly combed, and carrying his briefing book, astronaut Chris Ferguson had done his best to prepare for his next mission. But despite the seven years of NASA training, his job experience as a Naval Officer, and hundreds of hours of space preparation, nothing could prepare him for the seemingly impossible mission he had been tasked to do: capture the attention of 600 middle school kids right before the dismissal bell on a Tuesday afternoon.

But earlier this week I watched as Captain Ferguson did the impossible. In fact, minutes after entering an auditorium of hundreds of middle-schoolers and beginning to tell of his space and flight adventures, the NASA astronaut had transformed the assembly into a captive audience. These students were awestruck and fascinated by Captain Ferguson, and they could hardly wait to pepper him with thought-provoking questions. They hung on his every word, breathing in the dream of space exploration. The words of Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear, “to infinity and beyond,” danced in their heads.

 

Their enthusiasm was quite contagious and encouraging because it is vitally important that our students understand the significant role that their academic and professional pursuits will have on future generations in this nation.  Their ability to achieve in math, sciences and technology fields will determine how competitive we will be in protecting our nation and creating technological advancements.  As the space program continues to move forward, I am proud to partner with NASA to inspire our youth to achieve and excel in academics. 

As a nation, we face various challenges in facilitating an environment that creates an edge in mathematics, sciences and technology.  Since 1980, the number of science & engineering positions in the U.S. has risen more than four times the rate of growth for all jobs – a reflection of the transforming U.S. economy.  As Captain Ferguson told me this week, “we currently outsource a lot of our technology professions, and there needs to be a level of importance placed on students being proficient in the growing needs for advances in technology.”  Furthermore, more than half of all Americans with science and engineering degrees are over 40 years old. As a result, the science and engineering workforce in the United States will experience rapid growth in total retirement over the next two decades.  Yet since 1990, degrees in engineering have declined by 8% and degrees in math by 20%.

Internationally, when we examine the predicted future trends in life sciences and engineering, the United States is not gaining ground.  In fact, in the engineering field we see that India is predicted to increase their number of engineers by 100,000 and China is predicted to increase their number by 300,000 by 2008.  While at the same time, the number of engineers in the United States is predicted to stay stagnate.  The life sciences fields in India and China are predicted to grow by 80,000 and 110,000 respectively.  Yet, the United States is predicted to decrease in life scientists by 50,000.

These numbers reveal that we must be vigilant in encouraging and providing ways for students to seek careers that will close these anticipated gaps.  Innovation and creativity are gateways to inventions and technological advancements.  As a member of the House Science Committee, I work to provide oversight for energy, space, science and technology issues. As the Committee's only member from Virginia, I strongly support efforts to enhance our nation's space and aeronautics program, which promotes continued research and development so that the United States may maintain its competitive leadership in economic innovation, research and development.

 

When we invest in math and the sciences, as a nation we reap the benefits.  More than 1,300 NASA and other U.S. space technologies have contributed to U.S. industry, improving our quality of life and helping save lives. Below are just a few examples: 

  • Image processing used in CAT Scanners and MRI technology in hospitals worldwide came from technology developed for computer-enhanced pictures of the Moon for the Apollo programs.
  • Kidney dialysis machines were developed as a result of a NASA-developed chemical process and insulin pumps were based on technology used on the Mars Viking spacecraft.
  • Programmable Heart Pacemakers were first developed in the 1970s using NASA satellite electrical systems.
  • Fetal heart monitors were developed from technology originally used to measure airflow over aircraft wings.
  • Surgical probes used to treat brain tumors in children resulted from special lighting technology developed for plant growth experiments on Space Shuttle missions.
  • Infrared hand-held cameras used to observe blazing plumes from the Shuttle have helped firefighters point out hot spots in brush fires.
  • Satellite communications allow news organizations to provide live, on-the-spot broadcasting from anywhere in the world; families and businesses to stay in touch using cell phone networks; and the simple pleasures of satellite TV and radio, and the convenience of ATMs across the country and around the world.

Like the explorers of the past and the pioneers of last century, we cannot identify today all that we will gain from space exploration or from math and science research; however, we know from experience that the eventual return will be great. Like the efforts of explorers and researchers before us, the success of future U.S. space exploration and our ability to generate scientists, engineers and mathematicians will continue to unfold over generations to come. U.S. space exploration and our ability to generate scientists, engineers and mathematicians will continue to unfold over generations to come.

::  October: Fire Safety Month ::

As part of Fire Safety Month, The Home Safety Council is offering the public free home fire safety tips like the ones listed below online at www.homesafetycouncil.org/firesafetymonth and www.firesafetyliteracyproject.org

Home Fire Prevention Tips: 

  • Be careful not to overload electrical outlets, extension cords and power strips
  • Check all wires and cords for damage and cover all unused electrical outlets.
  • Schedule an appointment with professionals to have chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves, central furnaces and space heaters inspected once a year and cleaned as often as necessary.
  • Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper, and always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended and do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms.
  • Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
  • Keep volatile chemicals, such as fertilizers and turpentine, in their original containers in a locked storage area separate from the home.
SPOTLIGHT ....

Happy Birthday 

U.S. Navy's 230th Birthday October 13, 2005

 

ON THE HILL ....

Current Floor Proceedings

Bills Coming Up This Week

Monthly Whip Calendar

OFFICE LOCATIONS ....

307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202.225.6365

505 Independence Pkwy, Suite 104
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757.382.0080

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Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804.526.4969

425 H. South Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
434.634.5575

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