Jared Polis

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1741.

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1741 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Overall, this is a very strong bill that makes the necessary and responsible investments and that represents a critical step in answering President Obama and First Lady Obama's call to end childhood hunger. For the sake of the health and well-being of our Nation's schoolchildren and our future, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my departing colleague, Representative Ike Skelton. I did not get to work closely with Representative Skelton, but I want to say it's the small things that make a difference. There was one day my sister, who had been working for the Pentagon at the time, was part of the Quadrennial Defense Review team, the QDR team. When they had that hearing, the chairman invited me right up to the podium with the committee members to be there during that presentation, and that was a great honor. I would like to say that despite his political views in other areas, I never sensed that he treated me any differently because of my sexual orientation, and I think he fully respected me as a Member of this body. It was really those small things and the courtesies that he showed me that made him stand out in my mind as an inspirational leader of this body who will be sorely missed. It will only be a short period of time, no doubt, until his name appears on a battleship or aircraft carrier, and I look forward to visiting that one day.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a celebrated filmmaker and proud resident of my district, Robert Cohen. I've known Robert for many years and have always been impressed by his work as an artist and public servant, and it is an honor to commemorate him today. Robert was born in Philadelphia in 1930 and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 9. After graduating from UCLA in 1952, Bob began his professional film career as a writer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and a cameraman for NATO. In early 1956, Bob was honorably discharged from the Army and was able to devote his full energy to a film career that was already taking off. In the 50-plus years since Bob released his first works, including ``Mister Wister the Time Twister'' and ``The Color of Man,'' Bob has filmed, edited, written, produced or contributed to over 20 films, documentaries and television productions. His work spans the political to the historical, the local to the international, and he has been celebrated around the world as a filmmaker, artist and visionary. It is an honor both to serve as Bob's representative in Congress and to call him my friend and colleague. I wish him many more accomplishments and know that he will achieve continued success behind the camera, in front of the classroom and in the many exciting endeavors that await him as he inspires a new generation to political activism and public service. Thank you, Bob, for your friendship and leadership, and best wishes.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. One of the most troubled areas of the world is at the threshold of a great breakthrough for peace and for humanity. I call upon the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to remain committed to peace talks. I applaud the courageous decision of both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to work together to achieve peace. A majority of Israelis and Palestinians supports an agreement of creating a Palestinian state. The majorities in both populations support a negotiated two-state solution, and there is not a lot left to negotiate. We have known the basic parameters of such an agreement for many years. It is critical that, as new developments threaten to derail the process, President Abbas must put his people and their hopes for independence and statehood above preconditions, and Israel should avoid providing excuses for the Palestinians to exit their talks or actions to alienate Palestinian support for the talks. I call upon both parties, in the interests of their people and the people of the United States and the world, to continue to engage in a good-faith negotiation to create a Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end the cycle of violence and to replace it with a cycle of peace and prosperity for both peoples.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Certainly, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania mentioned, we salute Mr. Ehlers' leadership on this issue and certainly hope that in future sessions we will continue to have strong bipartisan agreement on this issue. And perhaps if we are both in the next session, the gentleman from Pennsylvania will join me to continue the tradition of honoring Computer Science Education Week in future sessions. Again, the recognition in ensuring that raising the profile of the importance of computer science is a first step. And I have also introduced a bill, H.R. 5929, that really enacts what we need to do with regard to helping improve opportunities for computer science across the country. It's not simply a matter of kids using technology, but also a matter of learning the technical computing skills that are needed for an increasingly complicated workforce and business climate. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. POLIS. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I would like to continue. I yield myself such time as I may consume, Madam Speaker. Little is of greater importance to the economic future of our country than making sure that kids are prepared to enter the workforce of the future and create the jobs of the future, many of which will either be in computer science or require skills in computer science. Regardless of the field, whether it's construction, whether it's education, whether it's banking, having basic skills in computational technology as a computer science is absolutely critical for occupational success. To bring some of the jobs back to America, we need to make sure that we have the best and brightest and most capable children that are equipped with the tools they need to prepare the next generation of intellectual property and software products for consumption across the world. I have been honored to introduce this resolution recognizing National Computer Science Education Week with Representative Ehlers, for the second year, to acknowledge the important contributions of computer science to our country's economic development and also to emphasize the need for increased diversity and ensuring that we tap into the great diversity that composes the American people in preparing for the jobs of the future. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I would like to inquire if the gentleman from Pennsylvania has any further speakers.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1560) supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1560 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1560, which designates the week of December 5, 2010, as National Computer Science Education Week to support increased public awareness of, and interest in, the field of computer science and careers in computers. I am honored to have joined Mr. Ehlers of Michigan for the second year in a row as bipartisan cosponsors in recognizing the critical importance of computer science education to the future of our country and to a strong economy and jobs. The global competitiveness of our workers and our economy depends on our ability to embrace emergent information in computer technologies. As an Internet entrepreneur myself, who had founded several successful companies before I came to Congress, I learned firsthand how computer technology is transforming people's lives throughout the world and represents a critical strategy for ensuring our country's national competitiveness. The Department of Commerce estimates that there will be 800,000 job openings in computer science over the next 6 years, making it one of the fastest-growing fields in the country, and it's of critical importance, particularly during this recovery. Computer science also drives innovation across other sectors--in science, technology, engineering, and math. According to the College Board, 4 of the top 10 fastest-growing jobs will be in computer-related fields as our Nation's most innovative and successful companies continue to expand their capabilities. Computer skills, Madam Speaker, are necessary in jobs across the board. From agricultural jobs to office jobs, the way we interact with computers plays a critical role in both our personal and our professional lives. The types of jobs where we need to do better with regard to computer education include computer system analysts, software engineers, network systems managers, data communication analysts and many others. And yet despite the growing need and the many job openings, there were less than 60,000 Americans that pursued degrees in computer science in 2008. In my district in Colorado, for example, more than 2,500 computing job openings occur annually, but only 10 students say they intend to major in computer science and 34 took the Advanced Placement computer science exam, according to the National Center for Women and Information Technology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, the flagship State university in our Colorado system. Unless we get more kids interested in computer science degrees and careers, we'll continue to lose our edge in global competitiveness. But that interest starts early, Madam Speaker. We need to start through public education, elementary school, middle school, and high school in giving kids the skills they need to enter these fields in college and professionally. National Computer Science Education Week provides an important opportunity to highlight the opportunities available in this bill and give kids the skills they need to obtain success, to encourage more students to pursue careers in the fast-growing fields of computing and information technology, and also to highlight the importance of a skilled and diverse workforce that takes full advantage of the great diversity our Nation has to offer to compete for 21st century jobs. The date of National Computer Science Education Week coincides with the birthday of Grace Hopper, one of the first prominent women in the field of computer science. As a United States Naval officer, Ms. Hopper became a computer programmer and later engineered new programming languages and created standards for computer systems which laid the foundation for major advancements in computer science. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hopper was named in her honor. National Computer Science Education Week can also help expose students to innovative technologies and computer science as early as kindergarten and continuing all the way through college. Students deserve and need access to the technology, qualified teachers, and age- appropriate curriculum at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. These resources encourage students to distinguish between computer literacy and computational thinking, which facilitates new ways to use these powerful tools to approach issues in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and health care. In a world dominated by Facebook, iPods, the Web, and the Internet, every child stands to benefit from a rigorous computer science education. And yet today, too few students have the opportunity to take engaging and rigorous computer science courses, and there is far too little diversity among those who do. Low-income, women, and minority students are severely underenrolled in computer science courses and programs, both at the secondary and post-secondary levels, and also in the related professions. That's why I have introduced H.R. 5929, the Computer Science Education Act, which will help ensure that American students not only use technology but also learn the technical computing skills needed to grow our economy and invent the technology that will drive our economic engine in the future. America simply cannot afford to continue wasting talent and opportunities in this field. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Ehlers for submitting this resolution and express my strong support for recognizing the week of December 5 as National Computer Science Education Week. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1582) honoring and saluting Americans for the Arts on its 50th anniversary.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1582 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1582 as a proud member of the Congressional Arts Caucus. This resolution honors Americans for the Arts on its 50th anniversary this year. Americans for the Arts is the Nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in the United States. Madam Speaker, I come from a family of artists. My father is a graphical artist, and my mother is a poet. The arts is not just for the enjoyment of others; they put food on the table for many families across the country. Americans for the Arts strives to create opportunities for all people to participate in and appreciate all forms of art. They partner with local, State, and national arts organizations, government agencies, businesses, philanthropists, and educators throughout the country. They provide arts industry research and professional development for community arts programs. Additionally, Americans for the Arts supports a variety of unique partner networks in the areas of public art for all of our enjoyment, united arts fundraising, arts education, including interfacing with our public schools, and emerging a new generation of leadership in the arts. Americans for the Arts also strongly endorses opportunities for students to participate in visual and performing arts in the schools. We know that learning and participating in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts is vital to the cognitive development of our children and to our communities, and too frequently, Madam Speaker, it is given short shrift in our public schools. Americans for the Arts played a key role in the formation and establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965, which has been the main Federal agency dedicated to funding arts groups around the country. It offers grants for State and local arts projects, national initiatives, and scholarships to students who pursue a higher education in the arts. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the cochair of the Congressional Arts Caucus and the chair of the Rules Committee, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter).

Mr. POLIS. Again, I thank Mr. Ehlers for his remarks. It has been a pleasure for these past 2 years to cosponsor and to raise awareness of National Computer Science Education Week. Madam Speaker, I am now pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, Americans for the Arts' research has shown that over 100,000 nonprofit cultural organizations in the United States generate over $166 billion in economic activity each year, supporting jobs and generating government revenue. I want to thank my chairwoman, Representative Slaughter, for introducing this important resolution, and once again express my strong support for House Resolution 1582, which honors Americans for the Arts on their 50th anniversary. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1545, which supports designation of this week as National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Postdoctoral students, or postdocs, are academic or scholarly researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are deepening their expertise in a subject through mentored research or scholarly training. Postdocs often produce important works for publication in their field and bolster institutional research capabilities. They are a critically important source of innovation and are responsible for much of the cutting-edge research performed in this country that leads to the creation of jobs. This research has led to scientific developments and critical advancements in health, science, computers, and technology. Many postdocs later become full- and part-time faculty at our Nation's research institutions, teaching the next generation of undergraduates and graduates and continuing to build upon their research. In all these ways and more, postdocs represent the best and brightest products of our research universities, and the future of our Nation's research efforts rests largely on their shoulders. Unfortunately, despite their great academic performance and contributions, postdocs are routinely provided with poor working conditions, paid low wages relative to their years of training, while working long hours, and are frequently ineligible for medical benefits, worker's compensation, disability insurance, paid maternity or paternity leave, or retirement accounts. Too often, postdocs are isolated and have little support from the institutions that benefit directly from their research. In April of this year, the Education and Labor Committee held a field hearing to examine problems with first contract labor negotiations between the University of California and their postdoctoral scholars' union. It took the postdocs 3 years to unionize, and in November 2008, the Postdocs Union was finally certified by the California Public Employment Relations Board. This August, I am happy to say, the postdocs were able to complete their first contract negotiations, and we congratulate them on securing economic justice for themselves and their families. It is impressive to see postdocs who not only excel in their personal lab work, but also give of their time and energy and leadership talents in order to improve working conditions in the lives for everyone in their field. National Postdoc Appreciation Week helps to increase awareness of the many contributions postdoctoral scholars have made and continue to make to scientific research in America and the need to guarantee that they have fair employment standards in order to continue pursuing critical lifesaving research. Last year, in September of 2009, over 70 U.S. research institutions participated in the first National Postdoc Appreciation Day. This year, Postdoc Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for institutions of higher education--like the University of Colorado at Boulder in my congressional district--businesses, research organizations, and others to honor and support the contributions of postdocs. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Stearns for introducing this resolution and once again express my support for National Postdoc Appreciation Week, beginning the third Monday in September. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting National Postdoc Appreciation Week beginning, again, the week of the third Monday in September. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and showing strong support for the work and the contributions of postdocs across this country. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1545) expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third Monday in September as ``National Postdoc Appreciation Week''.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1545 into the Record.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).