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For Immediate Release |
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Contact: Murat Gokcigdem |
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Phone: (202) 225-8885 |
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February 28, 2008 |
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CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON ENGAGES SCIENCE AND MINORITY STAKEHOLDERS IN “LISTENING MEETING”
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Continues efforts to improve opportunities for Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans and Women in the innovation fields |
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Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, along with Reps. Reyes, Hinojosa, Honda, Butterfield and Lofgren other founding members of the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus, engaged in discussions with more than 80 stakeholder groups on issues relating to the participation of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The D&I Caucus was founded in the summer of 2007 to promote legislation and awareness of the importance of encouraging under-represented minorities to pursue STEM careers.
“The objective of today’s Listening Meeting is for Members of Congress to listen to the needs of women and minority stakeholder groups. We want your input to shape a federal policy agenda that encourages these individuals to purse science careers and is inclusive to all. In order to compete with other nations, we must maximize our domestic human capitol. We must eliminate the discrimination that is preventing Blacks, Hispanics and women from the STEM fields.”
Over a month ago, Congresswoman Johnson and the other D&I Caucus founders sent letters to stakeholder groups, such as the Society of Women Engineers, American Chemical Society, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The letters solicited feedback on questions regarding the barriers women and minorities face when entering STEM careers, institutional policies that work, and what Congress can do to address the issues. More than 30 groups provided written responses, and more than 100 people attended the event.
“It is encouraging to see so many groups that are passionate about encouraging women and minorities to succeed in our STEM workforce,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “With the passage of the America COMPETES Act and the House-passed Higher Education Act, we have real momentum now. The excitement was in people’s eyes today.”
“Not only has Congress heard the needs of these groups, but the groups are now aware of each other. It is important to partner together to accomplish the goal of inclusiveness,” commented the Congresswoman. I foresee many benefits, going forward, resulting from today’s dialogue.”
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.
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