Elizabeth Esty

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the unveiling of the Wall of Honor at the Southbury Senior Center. Today, we recognize the senior citizens from Southbury who proudly served our country in uniform. These men and women answered the call of duty to protect our nation and defend its ideals. They served during war and during peace, at home and abroad. No matter their deployment or their mission, each of our veterans deserves the recognition and accolades they will receive during today's ceremony. While we can never fully repay our veterans for their service and sacrifice, I believe it is important to take every opportunity to thank and honor them. I hope when the wall is revealed, each veteran will feel the appreciation and gratitude of our community and the entire nation. I would like to thank Wayne Rioux, Amanda Hadgraft, the staff and volunteers at Southbury Senior Center for creating this memorial to recognize these local American heroes.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the unveiling of the Wall of Honor at the Southbury Senior Center. Today, we recognize the senior citizens from Southbury who proudly served our country in uniform. These men and women answered the call of duty to protect our nation and defend its ideals. They served during war and during peace, at home and abroad. No matter their deployment or their mission, each of our veterans deserves the recognition and accolades they will receive during today's ceremony. While we can never fully repay our veterans for their service and sacrifice, I believe it is important to take every opportunity to thank and honor them. I hope when the wall is revealed, each veteran will feel the appreciation and gratitude of our community and the entire nation. I would like to thank Wayne Rioux and the staff and volunteers at Southbury Senior Center for creating this memorial to recognize these local American heroes.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Raymond of Waterbury, Connecticut. On March 21, 2015, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #677 honored Mr. Raymond for his achievements and service to Teamsters and the labor movement. He has been a Teamster for forty-four years, rising through the ranks to become Secretary Treasurer for Teamsters Local 677. Mr. Raymond began his career in 1970 as a route sales representative for the former Raymond Baking Company. He was soon appointed as Steward representing mechanics, transport drivers and breadmen. Mr. Raymond later served as the Recording Secretary and then the Business Agent for Local 677, a position he held for twenty-eight years. Most recently, he was appointed as Director for the Bakery and Laundry Conference USA & Canada. For all of these contributions and more, Mr. Raymond will be honored at a retirement dinner. I wish to offer my congratulations to him for his retirement and my many thanks for his dedication and service to Teamsters and the labor movement.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 125 years of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce. Today, we recognize the Waterbury Regional Chamber for its influence in stimulating the economy in Greater Waterbury and helping businesses thrive for well over a century. The Chamber continues to act as a strong advocate for local businesses in the 5th Congressional District. The ever-changing world that we face today requires a Chamber of Commerce that guides local businesses through the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly global economy, and the Waterbury Regional Chamber has demonstrated its capacity to meet these needs. The City of Waterbury and surrounding region boast a highly-skilled workforce, thriving businesses, a well-renowned history of manufacturing, and a diverse cultural background. I thank the Chamber for working with these strong economic influences to meet the demands of a 21st century economy. This year's celebration of 125 years of community involvement is a true testament to the positive impact and long-term planning of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. The Waterbury Regional Chamber's current President and CEO, Lynn Ward, has led the organization for over 30 years. She does a tremendous job bringing resources to the businesses of Greater Waterbury and raising the region's profile in our state. I am proud to work with her to advocate for our community's businesses. Thank you and congratulations to the Board of Directors, staff, and members of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to many more years of your continued success.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the unveiling of the newly renovated Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury. On March 19, 2015, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury opens its doors to our community, unveiling recently completed upgrades. I was proud to help secure the $750,000 in state bonding funds for improvements to enhance the overall structure and amenities of the facility. For over 125 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury has shaped successful members by fostering leadership skills, developing educational enrichment programs, and designing activities focused on health and wellbeing. The club continues to demonstrate its commitment to our children through a variety of invaluable programming from promoting a healthy lifestyle to achieving academic success. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club for the countless hours you serve as youth advocates for children from all backgrounds. Your sense of purpose and passion creates an environment where boys and girls are welcomed for their diversity and encouraged to build strong character and responsible citizenship. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury transforms lives by expanding opportunities and empowering youth. I offer my congratulations and sincere thanks to the Boys and Girls Club for all of these contributions to our community. I wish them many more years of continued success.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice my strong support for high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor with stops in Connecticut. High-speed rail service provides a fast, safe, and reliable transportation alternative for passengers. Expanding high- speed rail in Connecticut would go a long way in alleviating highway congestion and promoting faster travel within and through the state. In addition, high-speed rail along the Northeast Corridor would create new jobs, boost manufacturing, and bolster America's competitiveness in our global economy. Not including a stop for Connecticut in a study on high-speed rail along the Northeast Corridor is a serious mistake, and I stand firmly against any proposal that excludes Connecticut.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Miller of Cheshire, Connecticut. On February 26, 2015, Mr. Miller received the Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. He is 102 years old, and he has literally devoted a lifetime to the Cheshire community. As a young man, Mr. Miller began his service in World War II. After four years in the Army, he was discharged with the rank of major. When he returned to Cheshire, Mr. Miller's service did not cease. He served on various municipal boards including the Cheshire School Board, the Police Commission, the Senior Center Board of Directors, and the Beatification Commission. Mr. Miller also volunteered with numerous civic organizations such as the Rotary Club where he was a member for almost 70 years. He established the Cheshire Food Drive, and raised funds for countless charitable organizations. He also headed the town commission that designed, funded, and constructed a Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of Cheshire's Town Hall. For all of these contributions and more, Mr. Miller will receive the Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cheshire Chamber's annual awards dinner. I wish to offer my congratulations to him for this impressive achievement and my thanks for all he has done for my hometown of Cheshire.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mary Kight of Waterbury, Connecticut. Mary Kight, an extraordinary woman, exhibits remarkable strength, courage, and patriotism. Her son, Michael Aaron Kight served as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army and was killed in action on May 19, 1967 while trying to evacuate injured soldiers in South Vietnam. Shortly after her son's death, Mrs. Kight joined the Gold Star Mothers and dedicated her time to helping families and communities remember her son and all those who sacrificed their lives for our country. Mrs. Kight went on to serve as Connecticut Department Chair of the American Gold Star Mothers for many years. She was instrumental in acquiring the beautiful Gold Star Mothers Statue that is proudly displayed in Waterbury City Hall. While Mrs. Kight is no longer the department chair of the Gold Star Mothers, she is still an active member of the organization. She is also involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee. She proudly wears her white uniform at all of the local veterans' ceremonies to honor and remember her son. This evening, as part of the Department of Defense's Vietnam War Commemoration program, the Daughters of the American Revolution will present Mrs. Kight with a certificate recognizing her for her service and sacrifice. I congratulate Mrs. Kight on this honor, and thank her for all that she does for the City of Waterbury, State of Connecticut, and United States of America.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this commonsense amendment, and I want to thank my good friend, Congressman Kennedy, for his leadership on this issue. This amendment supports equal opportunities for all of our children. Many of the good-paying jobs of the future will require STEM skills, and we as a country must do better to ensure that all children, no matter who they are or where they live, receive quality math and science education. For far too long, efforts to expand STEM education have left girls and children of color behind. As wages remain flat and income inequality only deepens across our country, ensuring access to quality STEM education for every child is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity. Our children deserve these opportunities and our companies need vibrant diversity in their workforce. So, again, I want to thank Congressman Kennedy for offering today's amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, in 3 days, the Department of Homeland Security will needlessly run out of funding--yes, 3 days. Shutting down the Department of Homeland Security will jeopardize local disaster relief grants. It will stall critical safety training for firefighters and first responders and will force thousands of Border Patrol agents, Active Duty Coast Guard servicemembers, and airport security screeners across the country to work without pay. House Republicans are threatening the safety and security of our Nation and our families by refusing to pass a clean security funding bill, instead, pushing for anti-immigration amendments. This is unwise, this is unnecessary, and this is wrong. We should not play partisan politics when our Nation's security is on the line. We must pass a funding bill that does not include harmful provisions, so that our Nation remains safe and secure. That is why I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would keep the Department open so it can carry out its mission of keeping the American people safe.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), my friend, the ranking member of the Science Committee.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to begin by thanking my friend, Chairman Smith, for his leadership on the Science Committee, particularly on STEM education. For the second Congress in a row, we are considering the STEM Education Act on the House floor. I am grateful that we are advancing these important efforts in a bipartisan fashion, thanks in large part to the chairman's willingness to work across the aisle. I would also like to thank and recognize the work of Representative Lipinski for his diligent work on this and many other bills and my good friend Eddie Bernice Johnson for her thoughtful leadership on STEM education and on all issues facing the Science Committee. The STEM Education Act of 2015 supports teachers who are preparing students to be the engineers, manufacturers, and scientists of tomorrow. We all know that students, particularly elementary school students, learn best when they are engaged and interested. However, any parent knows that it can be difficult to spark a student's passion for STEM subjects without innovative and creative learning environments. With more and more jobs of the 21st century requiring STEM skills, we need to better prepare our children for these good-paying jobs. As a mother of three, I remember when my children had incredible teachers who made science and math accessible and fun. We should do all we can to support innovative, passionate teachers for every child in every school. This bill today includes sections of my STEM Jobs Act, a bill expanding the Robert Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship program at the National Science Foundation. Currently, Master Teaching fellowships provide mentoring, training, and financial support to STEM professionals who want to enter the teaching profession. In Connecticut, we have two Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship programs. UConn's Teachers for Tomorrow program prepares teachers throughout the State to teach math, biology, physics, and chemistry to students of all ages. At the University of Bridgeport, the Master Teacher Fellowship program places master physics teachers in high-need high schools in southwestern Connecticut. Our bill today expands the Master Teaching Fellowship so that those who are working towards a master's degree, not just those who already have a master's degree, are also eligible to apply--supporting more passionate teachers and, in doing so, allowing more students to benefit from excellent STEM instructors. Our bill also promotes learning outside of the classroom. In Connecticut, we have the wonderful Connecticut Science Center, with incredibly creative exhibits like one called ``Grossology,'' where children can explore how to keep their bodies healthy by crawling through an enormous digestive system and experiencing a ``larger than life sneeze,'' perfect for inspiring our Nation's future doctors and biomedical researchers. In addition to educating and inspiring our children, science centers, planetariums, and aquariums across the country also provide invaluable teacher training. Last year alone, the Connecticut Science Center trained nearly 1,200 teachers who then went on to teach and inspire tens of thousands of their students. The bill today directs the National Science Foundation to continue to award competitive grants for out-of-school STEM learning experiences for both students and teachers. Finally, our bill takes the important step of expanding the definition of STEM for Federal programs and grants to include computer science. As a member of the Science Committee and Representative Lipinski's STEM Education Caucus, I have been a strong advocate for increasing literacy in computer science. This winter, I joined students from across the State and more than 100 million worldwide to participate in an hour of code. We learned basic computer programming skills and discovered it is a lot of fun. I also helped create the Congressional App Challenge and hosted this competition in my district where students created and built apps for their smartphones. The entries submitted by these high school students were incredibly innovative and useful, technologically advanced, as well as terrific examples of the problem solving we need all of our students to learn. The winning apps included an app to keep teachers informed during a school emergency, a program to help students know if they are going to be able to catch their bus on time, an app I know that my children would have benefited from greatly on those cold Connecticut winter mornings--like this morning--and an app to help high school freshmen learn their way around a big new school. The STEM app competition helps students experience for themselves how important and fun computer science can be; but, for example, in Connecticut, where only 65 schools across the State have dedicated computer science programs, it is critical that we continue to expand access to computer science education for all students. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that we are rising above partisan politics to advance the bipartisan STEM Education Act of 2015. This bill demonstrates that we can come together to help our children, to help them thrive, and to help ensure that they will be competitive in the 21st century global economy. I want, again, to thank Chairman Smith and Representative Lipinski for their leadership and the committee staff for their hard work on the STEM Education Act. I would also like to thank my friend, Ranking Member Johnson, a dedicated STEM champion, who is leading all of us on the Science Committee to truly recognize the importance of a robust and multidisciplinary STEM education and inspire us to do more across the board to support STEM. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Johnson and the rest of the committee to further advance our priorities in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, last weekend, the State of Connecticut lost one of its great sons with the passing of Col. John G. Chiarella, Sr., a veteran from Waterbury who continued to serve his nation, state and community long after his military career ended. Col. Chiarella entered the United States Army in 1950 and was deployed to Korea in October 1952. He became a Reservist in 1953 and was called back to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. He achieved the rank of colonel in 1975 and retired from the military after 34 years of exemplary service. When he returned to his hometown of Waterbury, Col. Chiarella dedicated himself to the community he loved. Reflecting his commitment to all who have served in the Armed Forces, ``the Colonel,'' as everyone knew him, led the Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee for over 25 years. As chairman, he helped countless veterans and their families receive the services, benefits, and recognition they deserved. In 2011, John Chiarella was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to his fellow veterans, as well as his dedication to future generations, which he demonstrated by establishing patriotic programs for school children. Col. Chiarella was also a devoted family man. He loved his late wife, Ann--who he called ``the General''--with all of his heart. They were married for 59 years before her death in 2011. He and Ann raised a beautiful family with three sons, and seven grandchildren. I had the great fortune to know Col. Chiarella and call him my friend. His warm heart, wonderful sense of humor, infectious smile, and love of life touched all who knew him. He truly left the world a better place. Col. Chiarella's life embodied the spirit of civic engagement that strengthens our communities, and makes our country a better place. His contributions to the City of Waterbury, the State of Connecticut, and to the United States will not be forgotten. Colonel, we love you and miss you.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I want to state that on Thursday, February 12, I unfortunately missed two roll call votes as I was attending the bill signing ceremony at the White House for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, of which I am a proud original cosponsor. This law will go a long way to increase access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources for military servicemembers and veterans Had I been present I would have voted: 1. NO--Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 101 I would have voted no in order to allow a vote on H.R. 861, a clean funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security through the end of fiscal year 2015, which would prevent a partial government shutdown and provide certainty that DHS operations to protect Americans will proceed without interruption. 2. NO--Approving H. Res. 101 I would have voted no on H. Res. 101, which prevented the House from considering any amendments to either H.R. 644 or H.R. 636.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. George Washington, President and deputy from Virginia. Delaware: George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom. Maryland: James McHenry, Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll. Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, Jr.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart, to honor and remember the 20 innocent children and six brave educators gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in my district 2 years ago. The community of Newtown has asked us all to honor their memory with acts of kindness. They have asked us to honor with action. So I urge you to take a moment out of this busy holiday season and to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or to buy holiday gifts for needy families. Let's honor with action, with acts of kindness this week, and with action in Congress that makes our world safer for all our children. Our hearts are broken, but our spirit is not.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, I held my Congress on Your Corner at the Litchfield Public Library, and there, I had conversations with folks young and old, and we talked about what matters to them and to their families, and I heard about their concerns with the pressing issues facing our country right now. How can Washington jump-start our economy again? When will we rebuild our aging bridges and roads? What is Congress doing about our broken immigration system? Here we are, 2 days before the Speaker's August recess, and there is a vote to sue the President. Yes, that is right, we are wasting time and taxpayer money voting on politically-motivated attacks against the President, rather than this House taking action to help the American people. Mr. Speaker, we should be debating a long-term, sustainable solution to fund the dwindling highway trust fund, fix our infrastructure, and create jobs. We should work together to fix our broken immigration system and to address the humanitarian crisis at the border, and we should vote to enact Make It In America legislation that supports good- paying jobs right here at home. Mr. Speaker, moms in my district and across this country ask me every day: When will this House allow a vote on commonsense gun violence prevention? Coming from a State that is working to regain jobs that were lost during the recession, I believe that we should cancel this recess to extend emergency unemployment for jobseekers in my State of Connecticut and all across America. No; instead, we are wasting time and taxpayer money on a frivolous lawsuit, rather than working together--working together--to stop corporate tax inversions or close tax loopholes for companies that are shipping our jobs overseas. The folks I listened to in Litchfield last Saturday morning deserve better. The American people deserve better. It is time to put partisanship aside and to put middle class families first. We should cancel recess. We should stay here and work together on policies to jump-start our economy and get the job done for all of the people we represent.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 935. When the House considered this bill in the 112th Congress, before I was elected to serve here, proponents like my good friend, Mr. Gibbs, argued that unless Congress acted, the process for getting a pesticide general permit under the Clean Water Act would cause agriculture, forestry, and public health-related activities to grind to a halt. However, after almost 3 years of implementation, I am confused about the need for this bill. The sky has not fallen, farmers and forestry operators have had several successful growing seasons, and public health officials have successfully addressed multiple threats of mosquito-borne illness while at the same time complying with the sensible requirements of both the Clean Water Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, known as FIFRA. I say sensible because, as we should clearly understand, the intended focus of the Clean Water Act and FIFRA are very different. FIFRA is intended to address the safety and effectiveness of pesticides on a national scale, preventing unreasonable adverse effects on human health and the environment through uniform labels indicating approved uses and restrictions. However, the Clean Water Act is focused on restoring and maintaining the integrity of the Nation's waters, with a primary focus on the protection of local water quality. It is simply incorrect to say that applying a FIFRA-approved pesticide in accordance with its labeling requirement is a surrogate for protecting local water quality. As any farmer knows, complying with FIFRA is as simple as applying a pesticide in accordance with its label. Farmers do not need to look at the localized impact of that pesticide on local water quality. If, as my colleagues suggest, FIFRA is an adequate substitute for the Clean Water Act permitting requirements, then why is it that pesticides keep showing up in water quality samples from both ground and surface waters? If applying a FIFRA-approved pesticide according to its label is protective of human health and the environment, then why is it that so many States continue to report significant numbers of pesticide- impaired waters? I urge my colleagues to note that, according to a 2006 study by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least one pesticide was detected in waters from all streams tested throughout the Nation. Let me repeat that. Pesticides were detected in every single stream tested by the USGS. State water pollution control agencies have similarly identified a number of surface waters that are currently contaminated by pesticides. States have identified over 16,800 miles of rivers and streams, 1,700 square miles of bays and estuaries, and 372,000 acres of lakes that are currently impaired or threatened by pesticides, meaning that that particular water body cannot or should not be used as a source of drinking water and be appropriate for fish or shellfish propagation or recreation. It is also telling that States continue to identify waters that remain impaired by pesticides, pesticides which have been banned by this country for decades. Some have questioned the environmental and public health benefits of the Clean Water Act for the application of pesticides. However, many of the benefits are so obvious that perhaps we have simply overlooked them. First, let us look, the Clean Water Act, and not FIFRA, requires pesticide applicators to minimize pesticide discharge through the use of pesticide management measures. Second, it is the Clean Water Act, and not FIFRA, that requires pesticide applicators to monitor for and report any adverse incidents that result from spraying. I would think that monitoring for large fish kills or wildlife kills, as my colleague from Oregon has noted, would be a mutually-agreed upon benefit. Also, it is the Clean Water Act, and not FIFRA, that requires pesticide applicators to keep records on where and how many pesticides are being applied throughout the Nation. Again, if data is showing that a local water body is contaminated by pesticides, I would think that the public, our constituents, would want to quickly identify the likely source of the pesticide that is causing the impairment. Finally, and perhaps most important, I am unaware of any specific example where the current Clean Water Act requirements have prevented a pesticide applicator from performing his or her services. Despite claims to the contrary, the Clean Water Act is not being used to ban the use of pesticides. So, again, let's summarize a few points. First, the Clean Water Act provides a valuable service by ensuring that an appropriate amount of pesticides are being applied at appropriate times, and that pesticides are not having an adverse impact on human health or the environment. Second, to the best of my knowledge, the pesticide general permit has not impeded pesticide applicators from servicing both agricultural and public health communities. In fact, most pesticide applications are automatically covered under the pesticide general permit, either by no action or by the filing of the simple electronic notice of intent. Third, Federal and State data make it very clear that the application of pesticides in compliance with FIFRA alone, as was the case for many years, was insufficient to protect bodies of water throughout the United States from being contaminated by pesticides. If we care about water quality, we need to do more. So, Mr. Speaker, I have to question what this legislation is really trying to accomplish. Is it really about the so-called regulatory burden of applying for a Clean Water Act permit? As we noted earlier, in the majority of cases, a small-scale user of pesticides is automatically covered by the Clean Water Act under the general permit, provided they apply pesticides in a commonsense manner. Again, is it about the so-called threat of lawsuits? Again, if the pesticide applicator is applying the pesticide in compliance with the permit, they are statutorily immune from lawsuits under the Clean Water Act. Is it about compliance costs? Yet, again, there is no evidence at the hearing, in the record, to demonstrate that the Clean Water Act is significantly increasing the costs of compliance to the average pesticide applicator. The reality is there is no substantive reason why this legislation is necessary, except to limit the scope of the Clean Water Act protections from pesticide pollution that is impairing water quality across the Nation. I urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 935.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5085, the Support the Families of Fallen Heroes Semipostal Stamp Act. The brave men and women serving in uniform put their lives on the line for our country every single day, and they deserve to know that America will support and care for any loved ones they leave behind. That is why I salute organizations like the USO and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, known as TAPS. I salute them for providing assistance to the families of fallen heroes. But we can do even more to help them. My bipartisan bill would create a families of fallen heroes stamp directing proceeds to the USO and to TAPS for supporting our military families in their time of need. Let's honor the families of our fallen heroes and show them that our country will be there when they need us most.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking my friend, Chairman Smith, for his leadership on the Science Committee in promoting STEM education. I am grateful that we are able to advance these important provisions today in a bipartisan fashion, thanks in large part to his willingness to work across the aisle. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson and Representative Lipinski for their leadership on the committee and their thoughtful guidance on these issues. The STEM Education Act of 2014 provides critical support to the teachers and advocates of STEM education who are preparing our students with the skills they need to succeed in our increasingly competitive global society. As Chairman Smith said, the bill includes three provisions to support and promote STEM education in this country. It supports teachers who are passionate about STEM education, codifies the importance of informal hands-on STEM education, and expands the definition of STEM education to explicitly include computer science. As a mother of three, I know firsthand the importance of having teachers who are engaged and passionate about being in the classroom, particularly science and math teachers. From my own experience--my son just graduated from college with a degree in astrophysics--and from our time studying these issues on the committee, we know that when children are excited about science projects and math problems at a young age, they carry that passion with them throughout their lives. That is why we must encourage talented people to go into teaching, and this bill does just that. It expands the Robert Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship at the National Science Foundation, so that more people who are enthusiastic about the sciences can teach our children. I am grateful to see portions of my bill, the STEM Jobs Act, included in the legislation before us today. Currently, the Robert Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship provides mentoring, training, and financial support to people who have a master's degree in a STEM discipline and who want to enter the teaching profession. The program is designed to ensure that these passionate individuals have the tools they need to become highly effective math and science teachers. In Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport's Master Teaching Fellowship program is dedicated to placing physics teachers in our high-needs schools. At UConn's Teachers for Tomorrow program, we prepare teachers to effectively teach math to elementary, middle, and high school students. The bill before us today expands the master teaching fellowships, so those working towards a master's degree are also eligible to apply. This expansion will allow more gifted individuals to be in our classrooms, preparing our children to become the next generation of engineers, scientists, and even astronauts. However, no matter how great your math teacher is, studies show that all students thrive in a hands-on learning environment. We are fortunate in Connecticut to have a terrific partner in informal STEM education at the Connecticut Science Center, which opened in 2009, to support STEM education in our schools. When students visit the center, they can navigate through outer space, use lasers to learn about sight and sound, experiment with forces and motion, and explore our very own Connecticut River. These interactive learning environments also provide structured support for teachers and for students. For example, the Connecticut Science Center trains more than 800 teachers annually. In teaching skills and content to support our school curriculum, these teachers then return to the classroom across the State of Connecticut and provide our students with the high-quality education that they need to succeed. Programs like these are hosted by museums and science centers around the country. This bill directs the National Science Foundation to continue to award competitive grants to support these out-of-school, hands-on STEM learning experiences. Finally, as Chairman Smith noted, this bill takes an important--in fact, a critical step forward in expanding the definition of STEM to include computer science. Computer science is a critical component of STEM education. As he noted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be more than 4 million computing and information technology jobs by the year 2020. Students who study computer science can be leaders in diverse fields such as energy, manufacturing, defense, and health care. Unfortunately, computer science has all too often been overlooked at our elementary, middle, and high school levels. Even more concerning, only 25 percent of computer scientists are women, although women make up 57 percent of the workforce. Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy in Connecticut, and I know, from conversations with our manufacturers, that they are desperate for high school and college graduates who have the computer skills necessary for our manufacturing jobs--high tech manufacturing jobs. Our need for graduates with these skills will only continue to grow, and that is why it is so critical that we focus on building these skills in our elementary, middle, and high school students today. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that we have put together a bipartisan bill to support an advanced STEM education. Preparing our students with the skills they need to thrive in a global economy transcends partisan politics. Again, I want to thank Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Johnson, Representative Bucshon, Representative Lipinski, and all of the committee staff for their hard work on the STEM Education Act. This bill is an important step in securing our children's future. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member of the committee.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, this month, as we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, we reflect upon unique backgrounds and honor our collective history, but the reality is that our current immigration system is badly broken. Immigration reform is not only the right thing to do morally, it is the right thing to do for our economy. Businesses in Connecticut and across the Nation are demanding that we have immigration reform, so that they can hire employees and expand their businesses. I have heard from manufacturers and from biotech companies in my own district who are eager to hire new engineers and Ph.D.'s, but our current system forces most of the best and brightest who come from around the world, who train at our research institutions here in the United States, trained at taxpayer expense, we force them to leave this country, taking their talents with them. I have met with dairy farmers in Connecticut who cannot find enough laborers to work on their farms. Farmers are demanding that Congress reform our immigration system to provide a reliable and stable workforce, so that they can continue to provide local food, milk, and cheese for our families. There are 11 million immigrants who are ready to emerge from the shadows, ready to join the workforce, and to grow our economy: people like Maria, a mother of three from Meriden, who brought her family here to build a better life; people like Camila and Carolina--twin sisters, honor students--from Danbury, who cofounded Connecticut Students for a DREAM, to help DREAMers navigate the immigration system. Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to act. Let's honor our Nation of immigrants by passing comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, keeps our families together, and creates an earned path to citizenship.