[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4030 Reported in House (RH)]
Union Calendar No. 269
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4030
[Report No. 108-465]
To establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in
Math and Science Education program to recognize private entities for
their outstanding contributions to elementary and secondary science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2004
Mr. Smith of Michigan (for himself and Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of
Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science
April 20, 2004
Additional sponsors: Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Holt
April 20, 2004
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March
25, 2004]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in
Math and Science Education program to recognize private entities for
their outstanding contributions to elementary and secondary science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Medal for Outstanding
Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(2) Elementary school and secondary school.--The terms
``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the meaning
given those terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.
The Director shall establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding
Contributions in Math and Science Education program, which shall be
designed to--
(1) recognize private entities for outstanding efforts
supporting elementary and secondary schools in improving
student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics;
(2) encourage private entities to support elementary and
secondary schools to improve and underscore the importance of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education;
and
(3) make information about medal recipients available to
schools, institutions of higher education, educators, parents,
administrators, policymakers, researchers, public and private
entities, and the general public.
SEC. 4. MEDALS.
(a) Finalists.--Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall annually name as finalists
for medals under this Act--
(1) not more than 20 private entities with more than 500
employees; and
(2) not more than 20 private entities with 500 or fewer
employees.
Each finalist shall receive a citation describing the basis for the
entity achieving status as a finalist.
(b) Medal Winners.--Beginning not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this Act, from among finalists named under subsection
(a), the Director shall annually award medals under this Act to--
(1) not more than 5 private entities with more than 500
employees; and
(2) not more than 5 private entities with 500 or fewer
employees.
(c) Distribution of Information.--(1) The Director shall distribute
information about the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions
in Math and Science Education recipients in a timely and efficient
manner (including through the use of a searchable online database) to
schools, institutions of higher education, educators, parents,
administrators, policymakers, researchers, public and private entities,
and the general public.
(2) Any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal under this
section may use such information for advertising and other publicity
purposes.
SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY.
Eligibility to receive medals under section 4 of this Act shall be
limited to private entities that--
(1) have, whether working alone or in partnership with for-
profit or nonprofit entities, assisted students, teachers,
administrators, or other support staff to improve student
achievement in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics in a school or community; and
(2) have been involved in such activities in a sustained
manner for at least 2 years with at least one elementary or
secondary school.
SEC. 6. APPLICATION.
The Director shall establish a system for accepting applications
from entities seeking to be considered for a medal under this Act.
Applications shall include at least two letters of support, which may
come from teachers, professional support staff, administrators,
professional or business organizations, local, county, or State
Departments of Education, or any other category of persons as
designated by the Director. Letters of support shall describe the
reasons the entity deserves the medal.
SEC. 7. SELECTION.
In selecting entities to receive medals under this Act, the
Director shall give priority consideration to evidence of improved
achievement in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics by
students, including improved achievement by individuals identified in
section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b). In addition to any other criteria the
Director may establish, the Director shall also consider the following:
(1) Evidence of innovative approaches to increase interest
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by
students, including individuals identified in section 33 or 34
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b). One measure of such evidence may be an
increase in the number of students enrolled in advanced courses
related to such fields.
(2) Evidence of employee interaction with students or
teachers to support and improve science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics learning.
(3) Evidence of success in positively influencing student
attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(4) Evidence of successful outreach to students, parents,
and the community regarding the importance of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education to the
Nation's prosperity, job creation, and standard of living, as
well as future earning potential for the individual.
(5) Evidence of a strong and sustained commitment to the
students and schools.
SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.
Section 37(a) of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d(a)) is amended by striking ``By January 30, 1982,
and biennially thereafter'' and inserting ``By January 30 of each odd-
numbered year''.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, there are authorized to
be appropriated to the National Science Foundation such sums as may be
necessary for carrying out this Act, to be derived from amounts
authorized by the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of
2002.
Union Calendar No. 269
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4030
[Report No. 108-465]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in
Math and Science Education program to recognize private entities for
their outstanding contributions to elementary and secondary science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
_______________________________________________________________________
April 20, 2004
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed