High tech companies and those looking for skilled tradesmen are going to love the latest move by Congressman Fred Upton. His long time friendship with billionaire inventor Dean Kamen has turned the St. Joseph Republican into an avid fan of the FIRST Robotics program. In fact, the Congressman has joined Democratic colleague Rep. Debbie Dingell of Dearborn in introducing bipartisan legislation designed to sustain the science programming well into the future. Kamen was founder of FIRST Robotics and is still heavily engaged in the campaign to get kids interested in science, technology, engineering and math.
Upton and Dingell were joined by original co-sponsors Representatives Randy Hultgren, an Illinois Republican and Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat in championing FIRST Robotics through House Resolution 5168.
That bi-partisan legislation would issue a commemorative coin to honor Christa McAuliffe, the science teacher who tragically perished on the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, in recognition of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), which was founded to inspire young people’s interest in science and technology. Funds for the sale of the coin will help support FIRST’s efforts to mentor and foster Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, a Republican from New Hampshire, has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
Congressman Upton says, "FIRST Robotics is one of the premier groups in the country teaching our kids the benefits of science and math education.” He points out that, “Because of these opportunities, these kids will grow up to become inventors, engineers, small business owners, and community leaders of all stripes. It’s vitally important that we continue to encourage this type of innovative learning and team building and I can think of no better way to help support these efforts than by honoring Christa McAuliffe, who inspired a generation of students and teachers to seek out science in order to engineer a better world. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bipartisan legislation passed.”
For her part, Congresswoman Dingell says, “I have witnessed the positive impact FIRST Robotics has had in Michigan for a long time and seen how smart, talented and creative the young people are who participate.” She adds, “Students are not only getting hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, they are graduating at higher rates and are more likely to pursue careers in science and engineering, where they will help tackle some of our most pressing future challenges. We need to encourage this talent and creativity. This coin is a pathway to support these efforts and I am proud to work with Congressman Upton to encourage young people to be at the forefront of innovation and technology.”
