Washington, DC (Friday, March 19, 2010) – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson paid tribute to the extraordinary number of African Americans who have broken significant barriers to enhance our country through scientific innovation, by authoring House Resolution 1133.

The resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 399 to 0. While addressing the House, Congresswoman Johnson spoke about the importance of recognizing African-American scientists for their service and contributions throughout the history of our nation.

“We honor African-Americans who have overcome significant obstacles to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the field of science in the United States. We also, encourage investment in programs which lessen the achievement gap of African-Americans as well as other minority and disadvantaged groups in the sciences and ultimately strengthen competitiveness in the United States,” Congresswoman Johnson said.

Congresswoman Johnson, the third ranking Senior Democrat of the House Science Committee and a co-chair of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, pointed out that the United States has a vast untapped potential as African-Americans and other minorities remain disproportionately underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Many of these students suffer from inadequate schools, residential segregation, and gender and racial-bias in the classroom.

This year, as we seek to increase American competitiveness in STEM fields, it is important for us to honor those who have broken down barriers while achieving major scientific breakthroughs. “Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “by the time we leave for work, Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of Blacks,” Congresswoman Johnson stated.

African-American inventors, engineers, and scientists have made great contributions to the fields of science and technology.  As this resolution points out, African-American innovators are responsible for everyday technologies such as: the automatic gear shift; the automated traffic signal; the pacemaker; the portable air conditioner; and, the clothes dryer. In addition, African-American doctors were responsible for the first open heart surgery and for inventing the technologies and techniques that enable the storing of human blood.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.