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May 25, 2017

H.R. 2653, the "STEM Opportunities Act of 2017"

H.R. 2653, the "STEM Opportunities Act of 2017"

Endorsements of H.R. 2653

"Today's introduction of the STEM Opportunities Act takes an important step toward increasing America’s competitiveness and reducing barriers that deter women and other underrepresented minorities from pursuing STEM fields,” said Lisa Maatz, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

"Any serious attempt to modernize our science and technology workforce must include substantive efforts to broaden participation to fully include women, especially women of color,” said Maatz. "This will in turn spur innovation as well as economic growth. Yes, this is about equal opportunity, but it's also simply good business. Congress must take action now." --Lisa Maatz, AAUW’s Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy

  • American Mathematical Society (AMS)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers

“By improving the participation of women and other underrepresented groups in the STEM workforce, the U.S. can leverage the diversity of these individuals to fuel the innovation necessary for our global competitiveness, as well as meet the challenges of a changing world.” – ASME President, K. Keith Roe, P.E.

  • Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
  • Association fro Women in Science (AWIS)
  • Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE)
  • Benjamin Banneker Association (BBA)
  • Computing Research Association (CRA)
  • Girls, Inc.
  • Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc)
  • Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
  • National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME)

"NACME’s mission is to enrich society with an American workforce that champions diversity in STEM by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in engineering and computer science, hence we fully support Mr. Johnson’s STEM Opportunities Act and applaud his diligent efforts to bring this legislation to the forefront.

Right now, STEM is the fastest growing job sector in the U.S., however, the majority of employees in engineering and computer science jobs are white or Asian males – roughly 84%. This is a big issue because the demographic of our country has shifted rapidly, with nearly 50% of America’s youngest, our emerging workforce, belonging to an underrepresented minority group. The disparity is alarming because empirical research shows companies and institutions that are highly diverse achieve better financial performance and innovation. In order for our country to maintain its global competitiveness, we need the STEM Opportunities Act now more than ever.” – Dr. Irving Pressley McPhail, President and CEO of NACME

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

“The National Society of Black Engineer's fully endorses Congresswoman Johnson's legislation. It aligns with the overall intent of NSBE's policy objectives and our Graduate 10K Campaign, which seeks to have tens of thousands of young people pledge to become engineers.

"Specifically, we found one of the bill’s main target areas to “promote research on and increase understanding of the participation and trajectories of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM careers” appealing due to its ability to aid NSBE in amplifying the national conversation on underrepresented students in engineering.

"While the bill primarily focuses on careers in higher education settings and in Federal government agencies, we strongly believe it further aids us in bringing forth positive cultural changes through understanding and action for many students of color across the educational continuum (i.e., K-12, higher education, etc.).

"Moreover, the added benefit of the bill will be the access and success opportunities it will foster for our NSBE community. This could help to increase the participation of NSBE members on federal advisory boards, task forces, and committees.

"Congresswoman Johnson has been a supporter of NSBE for quite some time, and thus we hope that this bill will stimulate opportunities for more strategic conversations between our organization, and those shaping federal STEM policy. Enhancing our partnerships through shared interest and dialogue will help us to achieve our mutual goal of broadening participation in engineering towards producing 10,000 Black engineers annually, by 2025.” -- Dr. Karl Reid, Executive Director of NSBE

  • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

“The US is at a critical point where both business and advocates agree on the importance of investing in the STEM talent pipeline. In order to continue making progress in the STEM fields, it is crucial to make sure that all people, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, are fully engaged and encouraged to purse STEM positions throughout their academic and professional careers,” said Jessica Rannow, President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). “We must remove obstacles and provide opportunities for all interested individuals to maximize their contributions to the nations STEM needs. To that end, SWE continues to support the STEM Opportunities Act, which offers crucial provisions towards this end by supporting research on the participation of women, increasing awareness of implicit bias, promoting best practices and encouraging accountability through data collection." – SWE

Original Cosponsors Include:

Bill Foster (D-IL), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark A. Takano (D-CA), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA), Suzanne M. Bonamici (D-OR), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), David E. Price (D-NC), Elizabeth H. Esty (D-CT), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jacklyn S. Rosen (D-NV), Ed G. Perlmutter (D-CO), Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Daniel W. Lipinski (D-IL)