Congresswoman Johnson Leads A Field Hearing In Dallas On STEM Education

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson led the field hearing in Dallas at Townview Magnet School on STEM education. The hearing also featured the Committee Chairman Rep. Ralph Hall. Congresswoman Johnson serves as the ranking member for the Committee on Science, Space, & Technology and has been a leading advocate for the advancement of Science Technology Engineering and Math Education in the United States.



"I brought together a diverse group of participants representing a range of viewpoints to identify strategies to improve STEM education in our country. I am pleased that in the Dallas area, we have many high tech companies that recognize how critical STEM education is to their local workforce needs. These companies also recognize the importance of broadening the STEM pipeline to creating a strong and diverse STEM workforce,” Congresswoman Johnson said.

“On average, our K-12 students are lagging far behind in tests of math and science aptitude. Even more troubling is our persistent achievement gap for historically underrepresented groups. As the first female and first African American Ranking Member of the Committee, I am committed to the task of broadening participation in STEM fields so that all of our Nation’s students are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century,” Congresswoman Johnson concluded.

A distinguished list of panelists included Ms. Lisa Brady Gil (Director, Office of Education Policy & Productivity Solutions Business, Texas Instruments), Mr. Eric Reeves (Founder & Managing Director Highbar Companies), Mr. Gregg Fleisher (National AP Director, National Math & Science Initiative), Ms Dee Chambliss (T-Stem Initiative, Texas High School Project, Communities Foundation of Texas), Mr. John Shellene (President Sherpa Management Partners), Ms. Jovan Wells (Principal, Science & Engineering Magnet School, Townview Center), Ms. Jennifer Stimpson (Science Teacher Hockaday School), Dr. Jean Gerlach (Associate Vice President for K-16 Initiatives and Dean of the College of Education & Health Professions, University of Texas Arlington), Dr Hobson Widenthal (Executive Vice President & Provost University of Texas Dallas)

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Op/Ed: STEM Education Vital in Tough Budget Times

The United States has begun to lose its status as a scientific and technological leader, and the only way we can hope to compete in the 21st century global economy is if we invest in research and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. It is vital that we not lose sight of that, even in these tough budget times.

As we work to pass an FY 2011 appropriations bill and a budget resolution for FY 2012, I urge my colleagues to remember that our long term economic growth and competitiveness are dependent upon the investments in research and education that we make today.

Many high-tech companies cite the availability of a skilled STEM workforce as the number one reason for determining where they locate their facilities. More and more U.S. companies are moving abroad because they can’t find the highly skilled workforce they need here at home. According to 2008 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the professional IT workforce was projected to add a little under a million new jobs between 2008 and 2018.

This represents more than twice the rate of the overall workforce growth between 2008 and 2018. If we want those jobs to stay in the U.S., and in Texas, we must continue to invest in STEM education for our future workforce.
Our best STEM students have no trouble competing with their international peers, but we cannot rely on just the top five percent. On average, our K-12 students continue to lag far behind their international peers in math and science aptitude. Earlier this year, the National Assessment Governing Board released the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science scores.

The assessment found that less than half of our nation’s students are demonstrating solid academic performance and proficiency in science. Equally troubling are the significant achievement gaps at every level between White and minority students. The NAEP revealed that, on a zero to 300 scale, Black fourth-graders and eighth-graders scored an average of 36 points lower than their White counterparts and Black 12th-graders scored an average of 34 points lower than their White counterparts.

While this achievement gap was never excusable, as long as our nation overall was still number one, it was easier for our leaders to let year after year pass without taking the hard steps to address it. But now, just as our nation’s leadership is challenged, our demographics are shifting in profound ways. By the year 2050, minorities are predicted to represent 55 percent of the national college population.

According to recently released census data, Whites now account for just 45 percent of the population in Texas, down from 52 percent a decade ago. We simply will not have a sufficient well-trained STEM workforce if we continue to overlook an increasingly significant fraction of the talent pool. We need to do a better job of developing ALL of the STEM talent the nation has to offer.

Many Federal STEM programs, including those supported by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education, are making a difference in universities, community colleges, and K-12 schools across the nation. One highly successful teacher training program is the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, which I helped to expand in the America COMPETES Act legislation.

The Noyce scholarship program helps to prepare future math and science teachers by giving them a solid foundation in both their subject matter and the pedagogy specific to math and science education. The Noyce program was modeled after innovative and highly successful teacher preparation programs, including the UTeach program in Texas. UTeach is a unique four-year program which was initiated at The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 and is now being replicated at 21 universities around the country.

The Teach for America program has also had great success at recruiting outstanding recent college graduates to teach in under-resourced schools. In 2004, Teach for America began their Math and Science Initiative which focuses on recruitment of graduating college seniors, graduate students, and professionals with STEM expertise.
Over the past two years, this approach has increased the number of Teach for America applicants with a math, science, or engineering background. In the 30th Congressional District of Texas, we are fortunate to have 245 Teach for America corps members teaching alongside many excellent veteran teachers.

Programs like these help us out-educate, out-innovate, and out-build the rest of the world. At a time when so many on Capitol Hill are solely focused on cutting programs, regardless of their success or impact, we must not waver in our commitment to our children, their children, and the future of this country. Reckless cuts to STEM education and broadening participation programs will only undermine our economic growth in the long term, and will affect the lives of so many across the country almost immediately.

As Ranking Member of Science, Space and Technology, it is my top priority to identify and support strategies that will bolster American innovation, improve STEM education, promote diversity, and ensure that we are not only competing in the 21st century, but leading.

South Dallas News

Congresswoman Johnson Urges Sustained Support for Renewed Human Space Exploration Program

Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled, “NASA Human Spaceflight Past, Present, and Future: Where Do We Go From Here?” The purpose of the hearing was to assess NASA’s human space exploration goals, plans and capabilities, and examine related issues affecting the Nation’s leadership in space and the state of the aerospace industrial base.
The last three NASA Authorization Acts exemplify Congress’s longstanding commitment to human space flight. In the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, Congress endorsed the Vision for Space Exploration and established several milestones for its implementation, including returning Americans to the Moon no later than 2020 and eventually exploring Mars and other destinations on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible. The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 reaffirmed support for a human exploration initiative, as well as affirming the national imperative of having independent access to space. Enacted last year, the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 authorized the development of a heavy-lift launch vehicle and a multipurpose crew exploration vehicle.

Last week, NASA’s Administrator announced that the President had given the agency formal approval to move forward on development of the Space Launch System (SLS). According to NASA, the SLS will be designed to carry the Multiple Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) with its crew of astronauts, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments to Earth's orbit and destinations beyond. Additionally, the SLS and MPCV will serve as a backup for commercial and international partner transportation services to the International Space Station.

With agreement now reached between Congress and the Administration on the general architecture of NASA’s new human exploration vehicles, emphasis should be on efficiently implementing that architecture and securing sustained support for the exploration program. In her opening remarks, Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson [D-TX] said, “America’s human space flight program has always been about much more than simply building rockets and space capsules and launching astronauts into space. It is also about inspiring people—both young and old; it is about providing a peaceful and positive demonstration to nations around the world of American technological preeminence; it is about developing cutting edge technologies for our human space missions that also benefit our citizens and create new jobs; it is about motivating our young people to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing them with the challenging future that is inherent to space exploration; and it is about advancing our knowledge.”

Congresswoman Johnson stressed that, “The benefits of investing in human space flight are clear and compelling, and ones that can justify making a sustained commitment to moving forward on our next steps in exploration. Because that is what we should be talking about—determining how much we are willing to commit on an annual basis to maintain a credible and forward-looking human space flight and exploration program—and not continually revisiting the question of whether we should have one at all. Successive Congresses and Presidents from both parties have already answered that question in the affirmative—it’s now time to move on.”



Mr. Neil Armstrong, who was the first human to walk on the Moon, said, “Above all else, a unified sense of purpose is a principal component necessary for success” and stressed that “America cannot maintain a leadership position without human access to space.” Commenting on the recent architecture decision, retired Captain Gene Cernan, who was last to walk on the Moon, stated “Should the development of the SLS go forward as mandated by Congress along with the Orion Spacecraft as just announced by the Administration, I believe we will have the best and perhaps only opportunity within reach to narrow the gap that now exists between the final Shuttle flight and America’s capability to regain access to Earth orbit and the ISS.”

Stating that he was pleased that the decision on an architecture had been made, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Acting Ranking Member Jerry Costello (D-IL) said that in moving forward, Congress will need to examine how the program will be implemented, including the objectives and destinations for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. Furthermore, while noting that the inspirational value of human space exploration cannot be underestimated, he expressed interest in hearing witnesses’ views on potential objectives and destinations for human space exploration “that would best maximize the use of the MPCV and SLS while continuing to inspire our nation.”

Michael Griffin, Eminent Scholar and Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and former NASA Administrator, expressed his view, “This nation needs a real space program...The current NASA program—development of MPCV and SLS—represents the minimum possible investment in rebuilding the capability needed to begin the establishment of a permanent human presence beyond Earth Orbit.”

Dr. Maria Zuber, Department Head of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, “As a space scientist and educator, I am an enthusiastic supporter of the human exploration of space.” Pointing out that as an educator she had learned to “never tell a young person that what they want to do is impossible,” Dr. Zuber offered advice to NASA on carrying out its exploration program: “NASA should do what I do with these students. Start working on those parts of the challenge that are possible to address within the constraints that exist and keep moving forward…”

Congresswoman Johnson Awards Five Female Scientists The Prestigious Women In Science Fellowship Award From Loreal

Five of America’s most promising post-doctoral female scientists received the L’Oréal USA Fellowships For Women In Science Award. This national awards program was created in 2003 to support the advancement of women in science and rewards the most promising post-doctoral female scientists from across the country. This year’s awards presentation ceremony was held at the Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington, D.C. The program featured keynote speaker Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) who is one of the leading congressional supporters of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).



The 2011 Fellowship recipients are working on breakthrough scientific research, which address critical global challenges that could aid millions around the world. Their research fields include stroke rehabilitation, therapeutic prevention for Alzheimer’s, robotics that will improve prosthetic fittings and function, LEDs and colored light creation, and the spread of influenza and other viruses. Each Fellow will receive up to $60,000 to continue their post-doctoral research. Additionally, the L’Oréal USA Fellowships For Women in Science offers professional development workshops for awardees and helps these Fellows build networks with accomplished female leaders in corporate, academic, governmental and scientific fields. The program is facilitated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson: "Our Country Cannot Afford To Lose".

Dear Friends:

Our country needs to invest in its future instead of cutting necessary programs for our most vulnerable citizens. The American Job’s Act is the first step in the right direction. I have met with the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, and we share the belief that North Texans will greatly benefit from this proactive plan.

My republican counterparts believe that the answer is to slash the budget. After 250 days in office, the majority has yet to bring forth legislation that would lead to the creation of jobs. Instead, the republicans have created legislation that could cost hardworking Americans almost 2 million jobs and result in a manufacturing crisis. While criticizing the President’s plan, the same people will be supporting the “Outsourcer’s Bill of Rights,” promoting shipping jobs overseas and weakening the middle class workers.

Our country cannot afford to lose valuable programs like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare right now or in the future. Congress needs to focus on strengthening the middle class, creating opportunities for employment and making our government more efficient for our citizens. We will survive these strenuous economic times but not on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.

Sincerely your Congresswoman,

Congresswoman Announces Department of Transportation Grants for DFW and Love Field

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation will award two federal grants for over $7 million to Dallas Love Field and DFW Airports. The funds will be used to purchase low emission air units at Dallas Love Field as well as to improve runway lighting and design runway rehabilitation at DFW airport.







"I am very pleased to announce the FAA will award these funds to Dallas regional airports. Dallas Love Field, which I represent in Congress, will receive $1.978 million for the installation of pre-conditioned air units that will improve air quality at the airport and reduce reliance on conventional fuel as part of the airport's Voluntary Airport Low-Emission (VALE) Project," Congresswoman Johnson said.



"Further, DFW airport will receive $5.026 million for the design of runway lighting and runway rehabilitation to enhance airport visibility and safety for pilots as they are taking off, landing, and taxiing. As the most senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I am proud to make these important announcements which will help ensure that Dallas has the finest and safest air service available,"

Congresswoman Johnson Is Honored By DART For Her Continued Support Of Rapid Transit

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was honored today for dedication and support of mass transit during ceremony at South Dallas DART station.

DART recognized Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for her work to support state, local and federal transit Monday with a commemorative plaque at a South Dallas rail station.
Officials credited Johnson for landing millions in federal funds to help finance the $1.8 billion Green Line expansion.
“It was vital to the future of our project,” said Gary Thomas, president and executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

The Green Line provides light rail access to Carrollton and Farmers Branch as well as stops at Fair Park, the American Airlines Center and Love Field airport.



Johnson attended this morning’s ceremony, which was held at the Hatcher Street Station.
She said public transportation is vital to the area and her constituents.


“It’s an economic engine for this area,” Johnson said about the need for public transportation.
She said she appreciated the honor.

“It is very warming to see that people have come together and do things that are meaningful for them and their community and service to the general public,” Johnson said.



Willie Mae Coleman, president of the Bertrand Neighborhood Association, said it’s an honor to have the plaque there celebrating Johnson’s work.

“The kids in this area enjoy the station here,” she said. “It’s something we truly need.”

Vicki Meek, who created the public art exhibits at the station, agreed.
“With everything Eddie Bernice Johnson has done for this area, to have her plaque in my station is an added bonus,” she said. “It’s the official recognition of everything she has done to make public transit possible.”
Above article by SARAH KRAMER - Staff Writer Dallas Morning News

Congresswoman Johnson Joins The Progressive Caucus In Announcing 'Rebuild The American Dream' Jobs Platform

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) to announce the Rebuild the American Dream Jobs Platform. The six principles of the platform are areas congresswoman Johnson and the Progressive Caucus have been championing for some time. These principles of: Reviving American manufacturing, rebuilding infrastructure, preparing citizens for jobs of the future, laying the pathway to lead the “Green Technology” revolution, a fair tax system, and ensuring that jobs that are created are quality “good paying” jobs are an effort to put Americans back to work.

“The Rebuild the American Dream Framework is the best way forward on jobs. It outlines what we need to do to put Americans back to work,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “We can strengthen our nation’s future and begin to address the unemployment crisis simultaneously by implementing the principles in this Jobs Framework.”

Read the Huffington Post article on the 'Rebuild The American Dream' Jobs Platform

Congresswoman Johnson at the unveiling of the new NASA Space Shuttle

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at the unveiling of the new NASA Space Shuttle...

In December 2010, Congresswoman Johnson was elected as the first African-American and the first female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. From 2000 to 2002, she was the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. Congresswoman Johnson continues to emphasize the need to invest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

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CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON ON THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT

The American Jobs Act would include tax credits for companies hiring veterans, aid to state and local governments to prevent the layoffs of police, firefighters and up to 280,000 teachers, the modernization of 35,000 public schools, and a multi-billion dollar infrastructure fund to help modernize roads, bridges, railroads and airports.

“I applaud the President’s remarks tonight on moving forward with job creation initiatives and especially his sense of urgency. I am in support of President’s plan, the American Jobs Act. Recently, I was part of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competiveness which met in Dallas where North Texans discussed many of the same points he discussed tonight in his speech.” Congresswoman Johnson said.

“I have always believed that the investments we make in research, education, and innovation today will create the jobs of tomorrow. I support the President’s plan to help our innovators and entrepreneurs create new technologies, rehire quality teachers for our classrooms, and build new companies and create the high-paying, high-skills jobs that will keep our economy strong and continue to improve the standard of living for all of us.”

CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR THE GREATER DALLAS COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson congratulates the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse on receiving the Office of National Drug Policy’s (ONDCP) Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant in the amount of $125,000.

“The Drug Free Communities program has already proven to be an effective tool in reducing substance abuse, and I am delighted to now bring the backing of the Federal government to aid local organizations throughout Dallas in its mission,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Prevention is the key to success in the war against drugs, and I fully support any program that will provide our children with the necessary tools to make more informed decisions about their future.”

Under the premise that local problems need local solutions, the DCF program is designed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to reduce youth substance abuse.

The DCF program is directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Honored by the Dallas City Council

Congresswoman Johnson was recently honored by the City of Dallas, Mayor Mike Rawlings and the entire Dallas City Council for her years of leadership, hard work and tireless efforts to build a better Dallas. Congresswoman Johnson's accomplishments in the areas of Transporation and Infrastructure (including DART Rail, highways, bridges, DFW Airport and Love Field) were among the many reasons given by City officials for the recognition.











The City of Dallas honored Congresswoman Johnson with a ceremony at City Hall on August 17, 2011. The following City of Dallas proclamation was read:

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson became the first woman and first African-American to represent the Dallas, Texas, area in the United States House of Representatives when she was elected in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Johnson is now in her tenth term representing the citizens of the 30th Congressional District of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Johnson has been a tenacious and tireless champion for the citizens, business community, and governmental entities in North Central Texas; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Johnson currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she is renowned for her efforts to improve and modernize our nation's transportation infrastructure and has secured support for transportation projects in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Johnson recognizes the need for increased livability and improving connectivity between citizens, employment centers, major destinations, established neighborhoods and emerging neighborhoods - offering tremendous redevelopment potential and positive environmental impacts; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Johnson was instrumental in securing $23 million and recently led efforts to secure an additional $3 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the construction of the Dallas Streetcar Project; and

WHEREAS, for many years Congresswoman Johnson has served as the champion for the Trinity River Corridor Project, working tirelessly to secure over $220 million in federal funding to date, as well as a $459 million authorization for the Dallas Floodway Project in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act; and

WHEREAS, thanks in large part to Congresswoman Johnson's unwavering support, in 2006 Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) received a landmark $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement by the Federal Transit Administration - the largest ever awarded to DART - to build the 28-mile Green Line, which was completed on-time and on-budget on December 6, 2010.

WHEREAS, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has benefited tremendously from Congresswoman Johnson's commitment and responsiveness to the concerns of citizens, business leaders, and local elected officials.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael S. Rawlings, Mayor of the City of Dallas, and on behalf of the Dallas City Council, do hereby extend special recognition to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for her relentless efforts toward improving Dallas and her outstanding, innovative, and impactful work on behalf of local governments throughout the North Central Texas region, the State of Texas, and around the country.

Watch the video here