Today's choices impact future of Texans' identity

By Sen. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON

As Albert Einstein once said, "Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." This is why our country has for centuries attracted the greatest minds in the world. The free, creative spirit of Texas has always been conducive to scientific research and innovation. During the past few decades, our state has been home to the invention of the computer chip, the buckyball (which is the basis of nanotechnology), and the balloon stent that opens arteries to prevent heart attacks.

But despite individual gains, Texas has not reached its full potential. Our best researchers pursued their work independently from those in other Texas institutions, and sometimes they even competed against each other for federal grants. This lack of synergy was one reason why Texas ranked only sixth in the nation in federal research and development dollars.

At the national level, there is growing concern about the scientific base that has fueled our economy for the past 100 years. In 2005, the National Academies released an eyeopening report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm," which identified alarming trends and worrisome indicators in science education in America's public schools. The conclusion of the National Academies report was clear: if we want to remain the undisputed leader of the global economy, we need to improve our science, math, and engineering education, and we need to do it urgently.

Last year, I strongly supported and championed the America Competes Act, a bipartisan bill which is aimed at better positioning American students to compete with their international counterparts and to create a bettereducated U.S. workforce. This landmark legislation increases research investment, especially at the National Science Foundation and NASA, and improves teacher education in math, science, engineering and other technical disciplines. President Bush signed the bipartisan legislation into law in August. But more must be done. The choices we make today will have a powerful impact on our standard of living tomorrow. We must advance every initiative that strengthens Texas's identity as a preeminent destination for research and economic opportunity.

Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior Senator from Texas.