WASHINGTON – The United States Senate has approved a bipartisan resolution to mark National Chemistry Week and highlight the importance of the science of chemistry in our lives and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced the resolution, which passed unanimously. National Chemistry Week begins October 19th.
"Chemistry is the science of matter, and it impacts everything in our lives," Senator Coons said. “Innovations from the brilliant chemists in Delaware have led to improvements in food, medicine, materials, and energy, to name a few. National Chemistry Week is a great opportunity to reflect on these breakthroughs and to stimulate the interest of young people across the country in science.”
“Chemistry plays a major role in both the Pennsylvania and national economies,” Senator Toomey said. “Its broad applications are vital to improving the quality of life and National Chemistry Week will encourage research and innovation amongst students nationwide.”
“National Chemistry Week promotes the value of chemistry in everyday life and raises awareness at the local level,” American Chemistry Society President Thomas J. Barton, Ph.D. said. We are thrilled to have the support of Senator Toomey and Senator Coons to highlight the contributions of chemistry to students and adults across the country.”
The resolution notes that “chemistry has broad applications, including food science, water quality, energy, sustainability, medicine, and electronics,” and “is vital to improving the quality of human life and plays an important role in addressing critical global challenges.”
A PDF of the resolution is available here. The text is below:
A Resolution
Title: Designating the week beginning on October 19, 2014, as ``National Chemistry Week''.
Whereas chemistry is the science of basic units of matter and, consequently, plays a role in every aspect of human life;
Whereas chemistry has broad applications, including food science, water quality, energy, sustainability, medicine, and electronics;
Whereas the science of chemistry is vital to improving the quality of human life and plays an important role in addressing critical global challenges;
Whereas innovations in chemistry continue to spur economic growth and job creation and have applications for a range of industries;
Whereas National Chemistry Week is part of a broader vision to improve human life through chemistry and to advance the chemistry enterprise and the practitioners of such enterprise for the benefit of communities and the environment;
Whereas the purpose of National Chemistry Week is to reach the public with educational messages about chemistry in order to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the applications and benefits of chemistry;
Whereas National Chemistry Week strives to stimulate the interest of young people, including women and underrepresented groups, in enthusiastically studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and in pursuing science-related careers that lead to innovations and major scientific breakthroughs; and
Whereas students who participate in National Chemistry Week deserve recognition and support for their efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates the week beginning on October 19, 2014, as “National Chemistry Week”;
(2) supports the goals of and welcomes the participants in the 27th annual National Chemistry Week;
(3) recognizes the need to promote the fields of science (including chemistry), technology, engineering, and mathematics and encourage youth to pursue careers in such fields; and
(4) commends the American Chemical Society and the partners of such society for organizing and convening events and activities surrounding National Chemistry Week each year.