Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and young professionals entering careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 762 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 762

  Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and 
     young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
                  engineering, and mathematics fields.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 6, 2023

 Mr. Cardenas (for himself, Ms. Salazar, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Valadao, 
    Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Gomez, Ms. 
Stansbury, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Soto, Mr. Carson, Ms. Caraveo, Mr. Espaillat, 
Mr. Correa, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, and Ms. 
              Stevens) submitted the following resolution

                            October 25, 2023

  Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in 
addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period 
    to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for increasing the number of Latino students and 
     young professionals entering careers in science, technology, 
                  engineering, and mathematics fields.

Whereas the Latino population in the United States has grown significantly over 
        the years on a national basis and Latinos accounted for more than 
        62,500,000 residents in 2021;
Whereas the number of Latinos enrolled at an institution of higher education has 
        increased from 2,900,000 in 2010, to 3,600,000 in 2019;
Whereas Latinos are responsible for 78 percent of the growth of the United 
        States labor force since the recession of 2007 to 2009;
Whereas the Latino population is growing more rapidly than the non-Latino 
        population, and has a younger median age of 29.5 years, as compared to 
        40.6 years among non-Latinos;
Whereas the overall number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        (referred to in this resolution as ``STEM'') graduates increased, but 
        Latino workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce, making up 
        18 percent of total employees across all occupations, but only 8 percent 
        of all STEM workers;
Whereas the percentage of Latino workers in STEM occupations has increased, but 
        the increase has only been 1 percent annually since 2016;
Whereas the attractiveness of STEM career paths is evidenced by the fact that 
        the number of bachelor's degrees in STEM increased for all citizens of 
        the United States by 62 percent between 2010 and 2018 in comparison to a 
        20-percent growth for all other degrees;
Whereas while surveys indicate that Latino students are interested in STEM 
        education and aspire to STEM careers at similar rates as overrepresented 
        groups, they make up a disproportionately low share of the STEM 
        workforce;
Whereas many Latino students are not adequately prepared or well-positioned to 
        take full advantage of financial aid opportunities to attend an 
        institution of higher education;
Whereas the National Center for Education Statistics reports that 70 percent of 
        Latino students have unmet financial needs, the highest of any 
        demographic and such challenges are particularly significant for first 
        generation college students in Latino families, making it far more 
        difficult for them to pursue STEM education and careers;
Whereas the growth of well-paying STEM jobs is expected to outpace non-STEM jobs 
        at 10.8 percent, as opposed to 4.9 percent in non-STEM sectors through 
        2031, making STEM fields even more attractive for Latino students and 
        young adults and increasing the need for new strategies to facilitate 
        their entrance; and
Whereas greater investment in the Latino community will generate more 
        individuals eager to pursue STEM jobs and will greatly increase the 
        domestic high-skilled workforce: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goal of increasing Latino individuals in 
        STEM as a way to promote economic empowerment and 
        sustainability, not only in their community, but in the overall 
        United States economy;
            (2) acknowledges that, while Latino individuals have been a 
        foundation for the United States economy, they are 
        underrepresented in STEM fields to the detriment of these 
        industries and the broader United States economy;
            (3) acknowledges that a strong commitment toward diversity 
        and inclusion, which has been shown to improve the performance 
        of the STEM workforce, will require greater investment in the 
        Latino community, and this emphasis will help develop talented 
        and capable STEM workers, reduce the Nation's dependence on 
        foreign workers, and secure the Nation's future as a leader in 
        STEM;
            (4) encourages increased Federal support for initiatives 
        aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM 
        education and career paths, particularly engineering; and
            (5) recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving 
        institutions and all institutions of higher education must play 
        in order to achieve this goal of increasing Latino individuals 
        in STEM.
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