- Marty Meehan on "Question of the Year"-
What knowledge or skills will students need most to be effective citizens of our world in the future?
"Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in
education. Our requirements for world leadership, our hopes for economic
growth, and the demands of citizenship itself in an era such as this all
require the maximum development of every young American's capacity. The
human mind is our fundamental resource."
-John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy's words resonate loudly in today's global economy. In
order to succeed in the public and private sectors, students must be able
to understand, effectively communicate, and think critically about public
policy, government, business, mathematics, science, and the global
economy. Today, it is essential that students become "Renaissance" men
and women and gain a broad range of skills and knowledge.
For this to happen, we must work to increase educational opportunities
for young people and adults. I am working in Congress to expand Pell
Grants, eliminate loan fees, and lower the interest rates for student
loans. Furthermore, for U.S. students to remain competitive globally, it
is especially important that we train new mathematicians, scientists, and
engineers. Training future scientists and engineers will ensure that the
U.S. continues to create new technologies and the next wave of
high-paying jobs.
The benefits of a higher education system that challenges students to
become global citizens and learn and think critically about a number of
subjects are clear. We must continue to work on a federal, state, and
local level to provide student's with the educational experience they
will need for success.
Congressman Martin Meehan has represented the Fifth Congressional District of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. He is a member of both the House Armed Services and Judiciary Committees, and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health.