Sept 5, 2008 | Click here to send an email.
Investing in America's Future
   

As children across the Commonwealth head back to school this week, I thought of my own four children and how it seems as if it were only yesterday that my wife and I were sending them off to school. Every new year was the same - our children’s sleepless excitement the night before the first day of school, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and new school supplies, and the whole family getting back into the habit of packing lunches and backpacks. Back-to-school time is more than just a highlight across our nation – it is a symbol of the importance of education in our society and in our children’s lives.

Largely, Americans understand the benefit of education and the impact it has on our economic success and global competitiveness, especially in the fields of science and technology. Science and technology fields are a huge economic engine for the United States, and their role in our global society has increased dramatically over the past decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs requiring science, engineering or technical training will increase 24 percent between 2004 and 2014 to 6.3 million.

And for the first time, we have opportunities to use the benefits of technology to make considerable breakthroughs to some of our biggest challenges in energy, health care, and disease research. Our ability to meet these opportunities is directly related to how well we empower our students to be involved in math and science and how successful we are in providing the tools necessary to excel.

Many don't realize how far the U.S. is falling behind when it comes to math and science education. The U.S. Secretary of Education has testified before Congress that our 15-year-olds rank 24th out of 29 developed nations in math literacy and problem solving. America's share of the world's science and engineering doctorates is predicted to fall to 15 percent by 2010. This is concerning, considering over the past decade countries like China and India are nearly doubling the degrees they are awarding in higher education, many of which are in math, science and engineering fields.

If we continue to push our math and science education aside without giving it the proper attention and emphasis it deserves, we run the risk of severely weakening our competitive edge as a nation. We may not see the effects right away, but our children will. One of the most important things we can do for our students today is to encourage their interest and knowledge in math and science.

Renewing this interest in math and science will take a combined effort of parents, educators, and lawmakers. First and foremost, parents must encourage math and science learning at home. Our children’s education is not something that stops when they leave the classroom. Not only is it important for parents to motivate their children to learn at home, it is also important that parents stress the value of gaining an education. For hands-on approaches, many Web sites offer ways  that you can encourage your child’s curiosity in math and science.

As a nation, we must be looking for ways to level the playing field when it comes to opportunities in math and science. The "digital divide" in our nation - the gap between those individuals with access to digital technology and those without - must be closed, and that starts in our educational institutions. There is no reason we shouldn't provide our children with every opportunity to excel in the fields of math and science, regardless of where they attend school. Three years ago, I introduced a bill to establish a new Minority Serving Institution (MSI) grant program to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges bridge the digital divide. This summer I was happy to watch as that bill was included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act and signed into law by the President. There are six HBCUs – and consequentially thousands of students – in Virginia who will benefit from this important grant program.

Additionally, we must be looking for ways to reward and encourage private sector participation in math and science education. This summer, I introduced the New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence, which challenges the U.S. to reach 50% energy independence in 10 years and 100% energy independence in 20 years. To achieve this goal, the New Manhattan Project will bring together the best and brightest students and researchers in our nation in a competitive format to research one of seven established energy goals and will award significant prizes to any group, school, team, or company who reaches the goal. Incentives like these will not only help us to reach our nation’s biggest challenges, but they will energize a whole new generation of young people to go into fields of math, science, and engineering.

Our economy depends on the skill level, adaptability, and diverse knowledge of our workforce. When the world is moving quickly towards new technology, our students can’t afford to fall behind in math and science. We each have a role to play. As your member of Congress, I am continually looking for ways to encourage math and science in our educational institutions. As the new school year begins and our children head back to school, I encourage you to get involved in developing your child’s math and science skills. The future of our nation depends on it.

 

 

 

Be Prepared for Tropical Storm Hanna 


Hurricanes are vast weather systems, and while the full force of the storm often lasts less than 24 hours in one community, its devastating effects can impact families for years, with flood waters claiming a lifetime of family photographs, children's artwork, and family heirlooms, and damaging winds ruining homes and claiming lives. While we can’t stop the force of an impending hurricane, we can prepare our families and our homes to withstand the brunt of the storm. The following tips from the American Red Cross will help you and your family be prepared for an impending storm.

 

Create A Disaster Supply Kit - There are certain items you need to have ready in the threat of a hurricane. Oftentimes these items are scattered around your home, and creating a disaster supply kit is a simple matter of putting them all in one place. The disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate, as well as making you as safe as possible in your home. Follow this link to view a list of items to include in your disaster kit.

Have A Place To Go - Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan. Spend some time talking about the hazards that could impact your family. Locate the safest room in your home for each hurricane hazard and determine escape routes and a place to meet. Choose an out-of-state friend or family member as a contact so that all of your family members have a single point of contact.

Secure Your Home - There are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand strong storms. Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowner's insurance. Make sure that cell phones are charged and that you have extra, fully-charged phone batteries for backup.

Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over – After the worst of the storm has passed, you still need to be prepared for what comes next. Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions. If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. Inspect your home for damage. Your local Red Cross Chapter will provide help.

 

Visit the Red Cross Web site for more information on preparing for a natural disaster.

 
 

SPOTLIGHT
 

Congressman Forbes Addresses Our Energy Challenge at a Town Hall Meeting

in Hopewell

 


Congressman Forbes discussed our energy challenge and his plan for reaching energy independence at an energy town hall meeting in Hopewell this week. Use the link below to read more about Congressman Forbes' energy plan.


Follow this link to read more.

 


 

Coming Soon: Paying for College Seminar in Chesterfield

 


Mark your calendars for an upcoming Paying for College Seminar that will be held in Chesterfield County on September 20, 2008. Check the link below in the weeks to come for more information.


Follow this to go.

 


 

Track Tropical

Storm Hanna as it Approaches Virginia

 


Keep track of Tropical Storm Hanna as it approaches the East Coast. NOAA offers up-to-date weather information on what to expect with wind speeds and storm surge.


Follow this to track.

 

 


Other News

Sep 3, 2008 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) to Host Free Paying for College Workshop

Aug 28, 2008 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Announces Office Hours in Smithfield

Aug 25, 2008 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Applauds the Use of Stem Cells Derived from Wisdom Teeth



ON THE HILL
PHOTO GALLERY

Congressman Forbes speaks at the Third Annual Modeling and Simulation Expo on Capitol Hill.

Congressman Forbes visits the International Paper Mill in Franklin, Virginia.
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