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Introduced High School Dropout Prevention Bill
This month I was proud to reintroduce the Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act, which provides resources to states which raise the age of compulsory school attendance through age 17. Education is the key to building a workforce prepared to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century global economy. However, every year more than 1.2 million students drop out of high schools across the United States. Students who drop out of high school not only reduce their opportunity to learn, but also tend to earn less over the course of their career and are often less prepared to compete in the workforce.
Additionally, reducing the high school dropout rate could provide a significant boost to the economy. A study from Columbia University estimates that the net economic benefit per student graduating high school is approximately $127,000. As Congress continues to work on strategies to grow our economy, we cannot forget that our greatest asset is the knowledge base of our workforce.
The Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act provides funding for establishing or expanding work-based programs that integrate academic and career-based skills through career and technical training; creating school-registered apprenticeship programs; implementing early-warning indicator systems to help middle and high schools to identify struggling students and create a system of evidence-based interventions; providing extended learning opportunities to increase the amount of time for instruction in academic subjects; and increasing support for students through student advisories, school counseling opportunities, and one-to-one mentoring.
Offered Bipartisan Senate Compromise as Amendment to SPACE Act
I think most Members of Congress share in our nation’s excitement about the growing commercial space industry and want it to succeed. Indeed, since the very beginning, the federal government has supported the private space industry, at both the state and federal level, with funding, data, and guidance on best practices. Who knows what developments will occur in the commercial space arena in the coming years. What we do know is that it won’t just be cargo that companies will be transporting into space, it will also be people.
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Rep. Edwards’ opening statement as she leads
the floor debate in opposition to H.R. 2262. Click here to view the video. |
That is why it is up to Congress to develop responsible commercial space policies that both encourage the commercial space industry and protect those who will participate as the users of industry services and activities. As Ranking Member of the Space Subcommittee, I offered a substitute amendment to H.R. 2262, the SPACE Act, which would have replaced the text with that of S. 1297, a bipartisan Senate compromise measure introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Gary Peters (D-MI). The Senate bipartisan bill has garnered significant support from the commercial space industry, including the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the National Space Society, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, among others.
I offered this substitute amendment because I think we had a unique opportunity to pass bipartisan commercial space legislation that actually stands a chance of becoming law. Pursuing House passage of a bill that is going nowhere in the Senate seems to be the ultimate exercise in futility, and one that does a real disservice to the commercial space launch industry that we are all trying to help succeed. Despite my amendment failing to pass the House on a primarily partisan vote of 173-236, I will continue to engage with Members and stakeholders in an effort to move this important issue forward.
Lead Sponsor of Legislation to Reinstate Pell Grants for Prisoners
The Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act is about restoring education opportunities for our nation’s prisoners so they will have a better chance of reintegrating as productive members of society post-incarceration. We know that helping economically-challenged individuals work toward post-secondary study and career training provides a better future for all Americans. We should ensure that every individual has these opportunities so that the cyclical process of repeat incarceration does not continue. I thank my colleagues for joining me in cosponsoring this important legislation that will curb our nation’s high incarceration rate through access to education.
For background information on the REAL Act, please click here.
Joined with Rep. Scott to Introduce Uterine Fibroids Resolution
I thank Congressman David Scott (GA-13) for joining me during National Women’s Health Week to introduce an important resolution recognizing the most prevalent medical condition affecting women, as an estimated 80 percent of women develop a uterine fibroid by age 50. We must recognize the need for greater uterine fibroid research and the disparity in the rates of African-American and Hispanic uterine fibroid patients.
Uterine fibroids are a major public health problem, affecting a majority of American women, and representing one of the most prevalent benign gynecological problems in our nation. This resolution encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling on the United States to designate July 2015 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month, with appropriate awareness and educational activities.
Hosted Roundtable on Importance of Affordable, Quality Childcare
For working parents, having access to safe and high-quality childcare is a necessity. That is why I hosted a childcare roundtable at SHABACH! Christian Academy in Lanham, MD, to which I invited childcare providers, parents, and other stakeholders. We discussed the critical need families have for affordable, quality childcare as well as current challenges.
Today, spending on childcare often exceeds that spent on housing, transportation, and food. In fact, in 31 states, average childcare costs are greater than a year’s tuition at a public college. Helping families afford childcare will not only bring them greater financial security, but it will also help our economy by maintaining and supporting a strong workforce.
Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 1492, the Child CARE Act, which expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), allowing more families to benefit from it. The bill also creates a tax credit for providers who send their employees to professional development and certification classes in early childhood education and child development.
A Huge Success At My 6th Annual STEM Forum
I was so proud to host my 6th Annual STEM Forum on Capitol Hill in April, bringing local students from six public schools together with representatives from education, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector to discuss strategies to find and form Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) talent across Maryland. Joined by NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., I spoke to a packed room of middle and high school students, touching on the importance of STEM education and the value of pursuing STEM careers. The first panel, moderated by Dr. Christine Barrow of Prince George’s Community College, addressed the challenges to finding and forming student talent in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fields in middle and high school. The second panel, moderated by Ms. Veronica Nelson of Northrop Grumman, addressed the goal of turning challenges into possibilities for the next generation of STEM students.
The U.S. economy is suffering from a severe shortage of qualified STEM professionals. In my work as a Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I see how important the areas within STEM are for our nation. I truly believe that the STEM fields are the future – this next generation of STEM students will be the ones to create new inventions and technologies, to find new treatments for diseases, and perhaps even to take humans to Mars. STEM-related careers are also the second-fastest growing jobs in the country, coming in just behind jobs in the health care industry. The United States is on the cutting edge of this new 21st century economy, and we must promote the engagement of women and minorities in STEM fields so that they can compete and succeed.
Spoke at the 7th Annual "Every Girl Can” Conference
Shortly after my STEM Forum, I had another great opportunity to talk about STEM, this time to a room full of young women. Hosted in the Health Science Center at Montgomery College, Takoma Park Campus, the 7th Annual “Every Girl Can” Conference brought together students, parents, and educators to discuss how to help girls discover and pursue STEM courses and careers. The impact this can have on the future earning potential for women is clear. According to a study by the Department of Commerce, while women only represent 24% of the STEM workforce, they can earn on average 33% more when they work in these high-growth fields.
2015 Congressional Art Competition Winners Announced for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District
The Artistic Discovery Congressional Art program is a nationwide competition that began in 1982 to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of our young citizens. Since its origins, more than 650,000 high school students have participated from across the United States. Each district selects a student’s artwork to represent their office in the tunnel connecting the Cannon House Office Building and the U.S. Capitol.
This year, 20 artistic entries were submitted to our office and a panel of three judges from our art community selected the winner. I am honored to announce that the 2015 Congressional Art Competition winner for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District is Ms. Edaizah Singletary who attends Largo High School. Her piece is a self-portrait made completely out of colored sand. The piece was selected for its visual quality and dreamlike effect, which encourages provocative and creative thoughts, and the use of color, which captivates the viewer’s imagination.
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| Rep. Edwards speaks with 1st Place winner Edaizah Singletary about her work of art. |
All of the artwork submitted for the 4th Congressional District competition will be on display at Harmony Hall until June 12, 2015, and I encourage you to visit and enjoy some wonderful art created by our very own students.
Maryland Veterans Receive Helpful Information At "Vets Count: Day of Service"
Earlier this month, I hosted VETS Count: Day of Service, my annual event that provides veterans with the latest information and changes on benefit eligibility from leading government agency experts and on-the-spot interviews with agencies and companies looking to hire veterans.
This year’s event provided Maryland veterans with updates on changes in the VA system and information on the Veterans Choice Program, veteran’s claims and benefits, VA home loans, and E-Benefits. This year’s guest speakers included Antione Waller, director of Baltimore’s Veterans Benefits Administration regional office; Brian Hawkins, director of the Washington DC VA Medical Center; Amy Hill, manager of Veterans Service Center, Baltimore VA Regional Office; and Jereme Whiteman, of the Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Congratulations Forestville Military Academy Girls Basketball Team for First-Ever State Championship
I am so proud of the Forestville Military Academy “Knights” Girls Basketball Team for earning their first-ever state title in girls basketball, and bringing their school its first basketball championship since 1995. It was a pleasure to have them visit my office and be able to congratulate them all in person. Thanks to their hard work on the court, and in the classroom, they brought home the “1A 2015 Maryland State Championship.” I wish each young woman on the team nothing but success, both athletically and academically, in the years ahead.
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What:
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Annual Nonprofit Forum
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When:
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Tuesday June 23, 2015
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Where:
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Severna Park High School
60 Robinson Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
Map It!
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What:
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High School and Middle School Students Plan for Future Success
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When:
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Saturday October 10, 2015
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Where:
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Annapolis High School
2700 Riva Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Map It!
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Information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office
PATENT & TRADEMARK WORKSHOP SERIES
Are you interested in obtaining a patent or trademark? The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System are currently hosting a series of free workshops at Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. There will be several intellectual property sessions covering patents, trademarks and copyrights. The public, including inventors, makers, small business owners, and students are invited to attend these free workshops. The workshops will be held June 1, 15 and 29 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. To register for the workshops, call (301) 839-2400, send an email to pr@pgcmls.info or click here. A limited number of one-on-one sessions with the USPTO staff will be offered each evening at 5:30 p.m. Advance registration is required for all one-on-one sessions.
| Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research - Technology Translation |
| The NSF Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program within the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) is an umbrella for two complementary subprograms, Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR) and Building Innovation Capacity (BIC). Overall, the PFI program offers opportunities to connect new knowledge to societal benefit through translational research efforts and/or partnerships that encourage, enhance and accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship. The subject of this solicitation is PFI: AIR-Technology Translation (PFI: AIR-TT). The PFI: AIR-TT solicitation serves as an early opportunity to move previously NSF-funded research results with promising commercial potential along the path toward commercialization. Projects are supported to demonstrate proof-of-concept, prototype, or scale-up while engaging faculty and students in entrepreneurial/innovative thinking. WEBINAR: A webinar will be held within 6 weeks of the release date of this solicitation to answer any questions about this solicitation. |
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Sincerely,
Donna
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Washington, D.C. Office
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8699 main
202-225-8714 fax
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Prince George's County Office
5001 Silver Hill Road, Suite 106
Suitland, Maryland 20746
301-516-7601 main
301-516-7608 fax
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Anne Arundel County Office
877 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
Ritchie Court Office Building, Unit 101
Severna Park, MD 21146
410-421-8061 main
410-421-8065 fax
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