inSPIRE STEM USA » Press Releases http://inspirestemusa.org Supporting Productive Immigration Reform & Education Wed, 30 Oct 2013 02:25:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8 inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director Beneva Schulte Statement on National Immigration Reform Fly-In http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-national-immigration-reform-fly/ http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-national-immigration-reform-fly/#comments Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:00:52 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=618 Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE STEM USA is proud to be a part of the Americans for Reform national fly-in that will feature more than 600 leaders from across the country visiting Capitol Hill and stressing the need to reform the nation’s high-skilled immigration program. inSPIRE members will also urge members to support a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education fund to create an American workforce able to fill high-skill jobs, which are among the fastest-growing in the country. Immigration reform has garnered broad and bipartisan support, and Congress should ensure reform legislation, with a substantial STEM fund, passes... Read More »

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]]> Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE STEM USA is proud to be a part of the Americans for Reform national fly-in that will feature more than 600 leaders from across the country visiting Capitol Hill and stressing the need to reform the nation’s high-skilled immigration program. inSPIRE members will also urge members to support a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education fund to create an American workforce able to fill high-skill jobs, which are among the fastest-growing in the country. Immigration reform has garnered broad and bipartisan support, and Congress should ensure reform legislation, with a substantial STEM fund, passes this year.

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-national-immigration-reform-fly/feed/ 0 Halliburton Joins inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition http://inspirestemusa.org/halliburton-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/ http://inspirestemusa.org/halliburton-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/#comments Thu, 29 Aug 2013 19:00:09 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=612 Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA today announced Halliburton as its newest member as the coalition continues its support for inclusion of the SKILLS VISA Act as a part of immigration reform. The act is currently under consideration in the House and overhauls the nation’s high-skilled immigration program while encouraging the creation of a national education fund to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science education programs in the states. “STEM-related jobs are among the fastest growing in the country, yet companies throughout the U.S. continue to fall short in finding... Read More »

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]]> Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA today announced Halliburton as its newest member as the coalition continues its support for inclusion of the SKILLS VISA Act as a part of immigration reform.

The act is currently under consideration in the House and overhauls the nation’s high-skilled immigration program while encouraging the creation of a national education fund to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science education programs in the states.

“STEM-related jobs are among the fastest growing in the country, yet companies throughout the U.S. continue to fall short in finding enough qualified workers to fill high-skilled positions,” inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director Beneva Schulte said. “The SKILLS Visa Act helps address America’s skills gap and is supportive of an all-important STEM education fund, which will help create an American workforce capable of meeting the growth in STEM jobs.”

Halliburton has made a commitment to helping provide students with more opportunities to study STEM. The company sponsored the 2012 GEAR competition and presented a $26,700 grant to Texas A&M University to establish high school mathematics programs that will better prepare students for future careers in technology.

The addition of Halliburton brings inSPIRE STEM USA’s membership to a total of 53. A full list of members can be found here.

Contact: Jenna Alsayegh
[email protected]
202-772-0457

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/halliburton-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/feed/ 0 STEM For Kids Joins inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition http://inspirestemusa.org/stem-for-kids-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/ http://inspirestemusa.org/stem-for-kids-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/#comments Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:00:47 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=606 Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA today announced STEM For Kids as the newest member of the coalition. The North Carolina-based organization hosts summer camps and after school programs for elementary school students, integrating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. “STEM For Kids has a crucial role in exposing the next generation to STEM education and STEM careers, and we are glad to have them join our push for a national STEM education fund as part of immigration reform,” said inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director, Beneva Schulte.... Read More »

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]]> Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA today announced STEM For Kids as the newest member of the coalition. The North Carolina-based organization hosts summer camps and after school programs for elementary school students, integrating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

“STEM For Kids has a crucial role in exposing the next generation to STEM education and STEM careers, and we are glad to have them join our push for a national STEM education fund as part of immigration reform,” said inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director, Beneva Schulte. “The U.S. is facing a substantial shortage of workers in STEM fields, and our coalition is working hard to ensure Congress addresses this crisis when members return to Washington in the coming weeks.”

inSPIRE STEM USA is a leading supporter a national STEM education fund and the SKILLS VISA Act, currently under consideration in the House, which encourages the creation of the fund.

“More than half of high school graduates in the U.S. are not ready for college-level courses in math, and just 30 percent of graduates are ready for college-level science,” Schulte said. “In order to sustain the growth of jobs in these fields, we need to ensure more students are proficient in these areas and have opportunities to study STEM from a very young age.”

With the addition of STEM For Kids, inSPIRE STEM USA’s membership total now stands at 52. A full list of members can be found here.

Contact: Jenna Alsayegh
[email protected]
202-772-0457

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/stem-for-kids-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/feed/ 0 inSPIRE STEM USA Joins More Than 400 Major U.S. Businesses and Advocacy Organizations in Call for Immigration Reform in U.S. House http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-joins-more-than-400-major-u-s-businesses-and-advocacy-organizations-in-call-for-immigration-reform-in-u-s-house/ http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-joins-more-than-400-major-u-s-businesses-and-advocacy-organizations-in-call-for-immigration-reform-in-u-s-house/#comments Tue, 30 Jul 2013 19:00:15 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=589 Broad, Ad-Hoc Coalition Calls Reform Essential to Achieve Fully Revitalized U.S. Economy Washington, D.C. – Today, the inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition joined more than 400 leading U.S. businesses and advocacy organizations in calling on the U.S. Congress to enact immigration reform legislation. The letter was signed by a broad cross section of industries that includes agriculture, housing, retail, tourism, hospitality, technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, venture capital, consumer electronics, and others with a combined presence in every state in the United States. The letter can be found here: http://bit.ly/18OVlYP The following is the text of the letter that was sent to... Read More »

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]]> Broad, Ad-Hoc Coalition Calls Reform Essential to Achieve Fully Revitalized U.S. Economy

Washington, D.C. – Today, the inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition joined more than 400 leading U.S. businesses and advocacy organizations in calling on the U.S. Congress to enact immigration reform legislation. The letter was signed by a broad cross section of industries that includes agriculture, housing, retail, tourism, hospitality, technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, venture capital, consumer electronics, and others with a combined presence in every state in the United States.

The letter can be found here: http://bit.ly/18OVlYP

The following is the text of the letter that was sent to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi:

“The undersigned organizations urge the United States Congress to enact legislation that would bring meaningful reforms to critical components of our nation’s immigration system. Reform of an outdated, broken immigration system is essential if we are to achieve a fully revitalized economy that provides rewarding and lasting jobs and opportunities for all Americans.

“Thought leaders from across the ideological spectrum agree that enacting immigration reform now will accelerate U.S. economic growth at a critical time when it has struggled to recover, and will help to enable sustained growth for decades to come. Done right, reform will also serve to protect and complement our U.S. workforce, generating greater productivity and economic activity that will lead to new innovations, products, businesses, and jobs in communities across the U.S.

“We deal with an immigration system that is now in its third decade and completely incapable of being responsive to an ever-changing national economy and hypercompetitive global marketplace. Today, the problems with our immigration system have grown and multiplied to become an emerging threat to the current and future productivity, ingenuity, and competitiveness of key sectors of our economy, including agriculture, housing, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism, engineering, and technology.

“We are united in the belief that we can and must do better for our economy and country by modernizing our immigration system. We already have been engaged with many members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats — on numerous components of a modern immigration system, and we urge that you not let this momentum slip and progress vanish.

“Failure to act is not an option. We can’t afford to be content and watch a generation-old immigration system work more and more against our overall national interest. Instead, we urge Congress to remain mindful of the clear benefits to our economy if we succeed, and work together and with us to achieve real, pro-growth immigration reform.”

The following is a list of companies, associations and organizations that have signed on to the letter:

Adams Insurance Service, Inc.

Adobe

Advanced Decisions, Inc.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

AGCO Corporation

Albany-Colonie (NY) Regional Chamber

Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers

ALOM

American Action Forum

American Action Network

American Association of University Women (AAUW)

American Beekeeping Federation

American Coatings Association

American Council of Engineering Companies

American Council on International Personnel

American Farm Bureau Federation

American Feed Industry Association

American Honey Producers Association

American Hotel & Lodging Association

American Immigration Lawyers Association

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

American Jewish Committee (NJ)

American Meat Institute

American Nursery & Landscape Association

American Project Consultants, LLC

American Sheep Industry Association

American Standard Development Company

Anaheim (CA) Chamber of Commerce

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce

Applied Materials

Appvance Inc.

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Arizona Farm Bureau Federation

Arizona Nursery Association

Arizona Technology Council

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas

Arlington Chamber of Commerce (Texas)

Arsenal Venture Partners

Aspen Square Hotel

Associated Industries of Massachusetts

Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Association for Competitive Technology

AT&T

Austin Ventures

Autodesk, Inc.

Avid Park Capital, LLC

Axcelis Technologies

Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber

Baton Rouge Area (LA) Chamber

Belton Area Chamber of Commerce

Bennington Area (VT) Chamber of Commerce

Blount Partnership

Brokaw Nursery, Inc.

BSA | The Software Alliance

Buckeye Valley (AZ) Chamber of Commerce

Business Council of Alabama

Business Council of New York State, Inc.

Cabarrus (NC) Regional Chamber of Commerce

Cadence Design Systems

California Chamber of Commerce

California Cotton Ginners Association

California Farm Bureau Federation

California Grape and Tree Fruit League

California Strawberry Commission

CALinnovates

Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd.

Capital Factory

Cargill

Carpet Empire Plus

Cervilenz Inc.

Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (IN)

Chamber of Commerce Southwest LA

Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties (CA)

Chandler (AZ) Chamber of Commerce

Cherry Lane Farms

Chicago Southland (IL) Chamber of Commerce

Chicagoland (IL) Chamber of Commerce

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Collaborative Communications

Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry

Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association

Committee of 100 for Economic Development, Inc. (LA)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Compete America

CompTIA

Computer & Communications Industry Association

Concord Servicing Corporation

Concord Software Leasing Corporation

Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association

Consumer Electronics Association

Cordele-Crisp (GA) Chamber of Commerce

Corning Incorporated

Cottonwood Technology Fund – NVCA Member

Dairy Producers of New Mexico

Dakota County (MN) Regional Chamber of Commerce

Dallas Regional Chamber

Danna & Danna, Inc.

Danna Farms, Inc.

Danna Investment Co.

Danna Land Co.

Danna Properties, LP

Daytona (FL) Regional Chamber of Commerce

Dell

Deloitte LLP

Delta Planning, Inc.

Denton Glass Company

Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

Diversified Thermal Insulation

Dow Chemical Company

East Bay (RI) Chamber of Commerce

eBay Inc.

EcoFactor Inc.

Edison Ventures

Einstein’s Alley NJ

Elance, Inc.

EMC

EnerNOC, Inc.

Engine

Erie (PA) Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership

ETM-Electromatic Inc.

Everett Partners, Ltd

F5 Networks

Facebook

Fall River Area (MA) Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Farmers Investment Co

Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

Finelite Inc.

FirstFruits of Washington

Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies

Florida Chamber of Commerce

Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association

FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.

FWD.US

Gatlinburg (TN) Chamber of Commerce

Gazzang INc

General Electric

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Georgia Green Industry Association

Gilbert (AZ) Chamber of Commerce

Global Immigration Benchmarking Council

GLOBALFOUNDRIES

Google Inc.

Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition

Greater Boca Raton (FL) Chamber of Commerce

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Greater Des Moines (IA) Partnership

Greater Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce

Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce

Greater Houston Partnership

Greater Indianapolis (IN) Chamber of Commerce

Greater Irving-Las Colinas (TX) Chamber of Commerce

Greater Memphis (TN) Chamber

Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Chamber of Commerce

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Greater Richmond (VA) Chamber

Greater San Antonio (TX) Chamber of Commerce

Greater Topeka (KS) Chamber of Commerce

Green Bay Area (WI) Chamber of Commerce

Grok Inc.

Grower-Shipper Association of Central California

Henderson County (NC) Chamber of Commerce

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton (SC) Chamber of Commerce

Hilton Worldwide

Hispanic Leadership Network

HR Policy Association

Hudson County (NJ) Chamber of Commerce

Huffman & Hawbaker Farms

IBC Bank

IBM Corporation

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois Green Industry Association

Illinois Technology Association

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Indiana Farm Bureau

Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association

Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association

Infinera

Information Technology Industry Council

Ingersoll Rand

inSPIRE STEM USA

Intel Corporation

International Dairy Foods Association

Intersouth Partners

Intuit

IRONCO Enterprises LLC

Irrigation Association

Jan Medical, Inc.

Jefferson Chamber of Commerce

Johnson City TN Chamber of Commerce

JumpStart Inc.

Juniper Networks

K & W Mfg. Co., Inc.

Kansas Chamber of Commerce

Kansas Farm Bureau

Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce

Kingsport CoC

Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers

KnowledgeTree Inc.

Kovio, Inc.

Laredo (TX) Chamber of Commerce

Las Vegas (NV) Metro Chamber of Commerce

Lassen Canyon Nursery, Inc.

Lee & Hayes, PLLC

Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce

LiveOps, Inc.

Lone Star Boat, RV & Self Storage

Longview (TX) Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)

Loudoun County (VA) Chamber of Commerce

Louisiana Irrigation Association

Lubbock (TX) Chamber of Commerce

Madrona Venture Group

Manhattan (NY) Chamber of Commerce

Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.

Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX)

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council

MC Marketing Group LLC

Melaleuca, Inc.

MetricStream

Metro South Chamber of Commerce

Michigan Apple Association

Michigan Farm Bureau

Michigan Milk Producers Association

Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association

Microsoft Corp.

Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

MIND Research Institute

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Minnesota Farm Bureau

Minnesota High Tech Association

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Mitsubishi International Corporation

Monterey County Farm Bureau

Morgenthaler

Morris County (NJ) Chamber of Commerce

Morris County (NJ) Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce

Motive Power Systems Inc.

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Myrtle Beach Area (SC) Chamber of Commerce

Naperville Area (IL) Chamber of Commerce

NASDAQ OMX

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

National Association of Manufacturers

National Christmas Tree Association

National Council of Agricultural Employers

National Council of Chain Restaurants

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

National Foreign Trade Council

National Grape Cooperative Association Inc.

National Immigration Forum

National Onion Association

National Potato Council

National Retail Federation

National Roofing Contractors Association

National Venture Capital Association

New England Apple Council

New Jersey Main Street Alliance

New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association

New York Farm Bureau

New York Technology Council

NewComLink

Nisei Farmers League

Nitero, Inc.

NM Association of Commerce & Industry

North American Blueberry Council

North Carolina Farm Bureau

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association

North Carolina Technology Association

North East Ohio International Business Network

Northeast Dairy Producers Association

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

Northumberland County (VA) Chamber of Commerce

OCZ Technology Group, Inc.

OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals

Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Ohio Venture Association

ON Semiconductor

OnShift, Inc.

Oracle

Oregon Association of Nurseries

Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc.

Oregon Farm Bureau

Outdoor Amusement Business Association, Inc.

Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Overstock.com

Oxnard (CA) Chamber of Commerce

Packard Place

Palm Desert Area (CA) Chamber of Commerce

Paramount Citrus

Paramount Farming Company

Partnership for a New American Economy

Paymetric Inc.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

Permac Industries

Pokeware

Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce

Preemptive Solutions

Prescott (AZ) Chamber of Commerce

Prime Time International

Produce Marketing Association

Producers Chemical Co.

Professional Landcare Network

PTV Sciences

Purple Leaf, LLC

Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

Qualcomm

R&L Well Drilling LLC

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.

Rancho Cordova (CA) Chamber of Commerce

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Revolution

River Cities Capital Funds

Robert Mann Packaging, Inc.

Rogers-Lowell Area (AR) Chamber of Commerce

Rollins, Inc.

Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship

S3 Ventures, LLC

SailPoint Technologies, Inc.

Salt Lake (UT) Chamber

San Antonio (TX) Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

San Diego County Farm Bureau

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Santa Clara (CA) Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau

Santa Clara University

Schuylkill (PA) Chamber of Commerce

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International

Semiconductor Industry Association

Signature Landscape Inc.

Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Society for Human Resource Management

Society of American Florists

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

South Carolina Farm Bureau

South Metro Denver Chamber

Sports Tutor, Inc.

St. Louis (MO) Regional Chamber

State Agriculture and Rural Leaders

Statewide Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce (NJ)

Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NJ)

StepLeader

Sun-Maid Growers of California

Sunshine Hope

Surplus Service

SV Angel

Sweet Potato Council of California

Sylvatex

Symantec

Synopsys, Inc.

TechAmerica

TechNet

Technology Association of Oregon

Technology CEO Council

Telecommunications Industry Association

Tempe (AZ) Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Tennessee Farm Bureau

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

Texas Association of Business

Texas Farm Bureau

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Texas International Produce Association

Texas Nursery & Landscape Association

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

The Center for APA Women

The Chamber of Reno, Sparks, and Northern Nevada

The Internet Association

The MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce

The National Grange

The New England Council

The Partnership for a New American Economy

The Shurtleff Group

The Technology Association of Georgia

Tompkins County (NY) Chamber of Commerce

TransPak, Inc.

TransPremier LLC

Trimble Navigation

Tucson (AZ) Hispanic Chamber

Tucson (AZ) Metro Chamber of Commerce

Tulsa (OK) Regional Chamber

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Travel Association

Uesugi Farms, Inc.

Ugaldes Restaurant

United Dairymen of Arizona

United Fresh Produce Association

UnitedAg

Valley Industry & Commerce Association

Ventura County Agricultural Association

Venture Investors LLC

Vessey & Company, Inc.

Vida Capital Inc.

Virgin America

Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association

Virginia Farm Bureau

Virginia Green Industry Council

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

Washington Farm Bureau

Washington Growers League

Washington Laboratories and American Certification Body

Washington State Dairy Federation

Washington Technology Industry Association

Welch Foods Inc.

West Coast Mennonite Central Committee

Western Agricultural Processors Association

Western Digital Corporation

Western Growers

Willits & Newcomb, Inc.

Wine Institute

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Woodrow Engineering Company

Woolley Engineering Research Corp.

XTn Group, LLC

Yahoo!

Yelp

Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association

Zacarias Actuarial Consultants, Inc

Zachry Holdings

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-joins-more-than-400-major-u-s-businesses-and-advocacy-organizations-in-call-for-immigration-reform-in-u-s-house/feed/ 0 American Association of University Women Joins inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition http://inspirestemusa.org/american-association-of-university-women-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/ http://inspirestemusa.org/american-association-of-university-women-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/#comments Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:00:33 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=585 Coalition Continues Support of STEM Fund in Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. – The inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA coalition today announced the American Association of University Women (AAUW) as its newest member. The non-profit organization is one of the largest funding sources to advance equity for women through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. “The SKILLS Visa Act takes a major step toward solving the nation’s STEM jobs crisis,” said inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director, Beneva Schulte. “It also encourages the creation of a national STEM education fund which would help us solve the problem in the... Read More »

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]]> Coalition Continues Support of STEM Fund in Immigration Reform

Washington, D.C. – The inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA coalition today announced the American Association of University Women (AAUW) as its newest member. The non-profit organization is one of the largest funding sources to advance equity for women through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

“The SKILLS Visa Act takes a major step toward solving the nation’s STEM jobs crisis,” said inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director, Beneva Schulte. “It also encourages the creation of a national STEM education fund which would help us solve the problem in the long-term and ensure we have the talent to fill jobs in this fast-growing field.”

AAUW is the latest member to join inSPIRE STEM USA’s coalition of businesses, advocacy organizations, and education groups. The coalition supports a national education fund for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science as the House considers the SKILLS Visa Act. The Act encourages creation of a fund for states to enhance STEM education programs.

“Women make up half of America’s workforce but hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs,” Schulte said. “We are proud to have the American Association of University Women join us as we work to provide more opportunities for women and other underrepresented demographics to acquire the skills needed to fill the growing number of STEM jobs in our country.”

With the addition of AAUW, inSPIRE STEM USA’s membership total now stands at 52. A full list of members can be found here.

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/american-association-of-university-women-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/feed/ 0 National Council of La Raza Joins inSPIRE STEM USA Coalition http://inspirestemusa.org/national-council-of-la-raza-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/ http://inspirestemusa.org/national-council-of-la-raza-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/#comments Mon, 01 Jul 2013 19:00:23 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=571 Coalition Continues Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Washington, D.C. – Just days after the Senate passed its bi-partisan comprehensive immigration bill, the inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA coalition today announced the addition of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Sunshine Hope as its newest members. NCLR and Sunshine Hope, a group that teaches children about leadership development, join inSPIRE STEM USA at a critical point in the immigration reform debate as the issue moves to the U.S. House of Representatives. “Passing comprehensive immigration reform this year is imperative for our country and our... Read More »

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]]> Coalition Continues Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

Washington, D.C. – Just days after the Senate passed its bi-partisan comprehensive immigration bill, the inSPIRE (Supporting Productive Immigration Reform and Education) STEM USA coalition today announced the addition of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Sunshine Hope as its newest members.

NCLR and Sunshine Hope, a group that teaches children about leadership development, join inSPIRE STEM USA at a critical point in the immigration reform debate as the issue moves to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Passing comprehensive immigration reform this year is imperative for our country and our economic future,” said inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director, Beneva Schulte. “Not only will immigration reform significantly reduce the federal deficit, it will also help to create millions of new jobs, something that will help Americans in every corner of the country.”

The Senate’s immigration reform bill received a boost last month when the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released estimates saying the legislation would reduce the deficit by $197 billion over the next 10 years and by $700 billion over the next two decades.

inSPIRE STEM USA also released a set of infographics outlining the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform to the U.S. economy.

With the addition of NCLR and Sunshine Hope, inSPIRE STEM USA’s membership total now stands at 51. A full list of members can be found here.

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/national-council-of-la-raza-joins-inspire-stem-usa-coalition/feed/ 0 Tech Leaders Applaud Senate Action on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation http://inspirestemusa.org/tech-leaders-applaud-senate-action-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform-legislation/ http://inspirestemusa.org/tech-leaders-applaud-senate-action-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform-legislation/#comments Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:00:07 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=569 Washington, D.C. – After extensive advocacy work focused on overhauling the U.S. immigration system to better create new jobs and industries here at home, leading technology and innovation organizations today applauded the Senate for approving a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744). The organizations are: Association for Competitive Technology (ACT); BSA | The Software Alliance; CompeteAmerica; Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA); CompTIA; Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); Engine; Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); inSPIRE STEM USA; Internet Association; Partnership for a New American Economy; SEMI; Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA); SIIA – Software & Information Industry Association; TechAmerica; TechNet; and,... Read More »

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]]> Washington, D.C. – After extensive advocacy work focused on overhauling the U.S. immigration system to better create new jobs and industries here at home, leading technology and innovation organizations today applauded the Senate for approving a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744).

The organizations are: Association for Competitive Technology (ACT); BSA | The Software Alliance; CompeteAmerica; Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA); CompTIA; Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); Engine; Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); inSPIRE STEM USA; Internet Association; Partnership for a New American Economy; SEMI; Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA); SIIA – Software & Information Industry Association; TechAmerica; TechNet; and, Technology CEO Council.

“Immigration reform is central to America’s long-term ability to create new jobs and remain the world’s innovation leader. The strong, bipartisan support in the Senate for balanced immigration legislation is a significant step away from old, misguided stereotypes and toward a stronger future for American workers and American communities.

“The many reforms in the Senate legislation that impact high-skilled immigration will help solve our national talent shortage in the near-term, while also creating an effective long-term pipeline of American workers through new investments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The bill also would ensure American workers have the opportunity to fully participate in the innovation economy, and enable employers and entrepreneurs of all sizes in every state to recruit and retain the world’s best talent to work in America.

“With its bipartisan proposal, the Senate Gang of 8 set the tone for a productive debate and established a strong foundation for Senate action. They came together motivated by the harsh reality that our immigration system is broken and reform is critical if we are to achieve our full economic potential. We appreciate the careful consideration given by all the Senators who came together to shape and pass a bill that focuses on America’s national economic interests.

“The Senate vote is a major achievement, but it is also just another step in the process of shaping a new immigration system. We welcome efforts in the House of Representatives to move forward with immigration reform, and we look forward to progress that will lead to a truly modern immigration system. If we want next-generation industries to be founded in St. Louis instead of Shenzhen, then policymakers must seize this moment and produce legislation that all sides can support. Done right, immigration reform will result in a stronger innovation economy for the U.S., with new industries, new jobs, and new opportunities.”

inSPIRE STEM USA Media Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/tech-leaders-applaud-senate-action-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform-legislation/feed/ 0 Passage of Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform a Victory for Nation, STEM Education http://inspirestemusa.org/passage-of-senate-comprehensive-immigration-reform-a-victory-for-nation-stem-education/ http://inspirestemusa.org/passage-of-senate-comprehensive-immigration-reform-a-victory-for-nation-stem-education/#comments Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:30:25 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=568 Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE STEM USA applauds the Senate for addressing America’s STEM crisis in the comprehensive immigration legislation passed today. Coalition Co-Chairs John Sununu and Maria Cardona observed that this historic bill has the potential to alter the nation’s science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and computer science jobs and education landscape and help America remain a leading innovator in the global economy. The Coalition is also encouraged that the House Judiciary Committee has endorsed the concept of a national STEM fund and will pursue separate legislation to establish the fund. “Our coalition joins leaders in education and business communities... Read More »

The post Passage of Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform a Victory for Nation, STEM Education appeared first on inSPIRE STEM USA.

]]> Washington, D.C. – inSPIRE STEM USA applauds the Senate for addressing America’s STEM crisis in the comprehensive immigration legislation passed today. Coalition Co-Chairs John Sununu and Maria Cardona observed that this historic bill has the potential to alter the nation’s science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and computer science jobs and education landscape and help America remain a leading innovator in the global economy. The Coalition is also encouraged that the House Judiciary Committee has endorsed the concept of a national STEM fund and will pursue separate legislation to establish the fund.

“Our coalition joins leaders in education and business communities to applaud the Senate for addressing the national STEM jobs gap by reforming high-skilled immigration to fill the current gap and creating a stronger STEM education pipeline to ensure America’s high-skilled jobs are filled in the future,” Sununu said.

Along with provisions around immigration reform, the Senate bill also provides immediate and long-term solutions to the nation’s STEM jobs and education crisis. Through an improved H-1B visa program, companies can hire more high-skilled workers from overseas to fill currently vacant positions. Additional fees companies pay for these visas will go toward a national STEM education fund that will help create a stronger STEM education pipeline to ensure more Americans are prepared to fill these high-skilled jobs in the long-term.

The fund would be the only federal funding stream for enhancing these education opportunities in all states throughout the country. inSPIRE STEM USA, a coalition of businesses, education groups and advocacy organizations, was created in January of 2013 and has spent the past five months calling attention to the STEM jobs crisis and seeking this two-part solution.

“This bill is an important step toward not only fixing an outdated system but providing more Americans with opportunities to acquire skills in STEM,” said Cardona. “Establishing a STEM fund will help produce more homegrown talent from all communities to ensure America is producing the entrepreneurs and innovators our country needs to be competitive in a global economy. Our coalition will be working hard in the coming months to ensure the STEM fund is a part of the final legislation.”

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/passage-of-senate-comprehensive-immigration-reform-a-victory-for-nation-stem-education/feed/ 0 inSPIRE STEM USA Executive Director Beneva Schulte Statement on Senate Border Security Deal http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-on-senate-border-security-deal/ http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-on-senate-border-security-deal/#comments Thu, 20 Jun 2013 19:00:40 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=562 Washington, D.C. – “While no one expects passage of a wide-ranging comprehensive immigration reform bill to be easy, today’s Senate agreement on border security shows that the issue is too important to the nation for leaders not to find common ground. The Senate reaching agreement on this legislation and getting the bill passed by July 4th is a crucial step to getting comprehensive immigration reform accomplished this year. We applaud the Senate for continuing to advance legislation that will have a positive impact not just on millions of immigrants but on virtually every American.” Contact: Tony Welch [email protected] 202-777-0676

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]]> Washington, D.C. – “While no one expects passage of a wide-ranging comprehensive immigration reform bill to be easy, today’s Senate agreement on border security shows that the issue is too important to the nation for leaders not to find common ground. The Senate reaching agreement on this legislation and getting the bill passed by July 4th is a crucial step to getting comprehensive immigration reform accomplished this year. We applaud the Senate for continuing to advance legislation that will have a positive impact not just on millions of immigrants but on virtually every American.”

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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]]> http://inspirestemusa.org/inspire-stem-usa-executive-director-beneva-schulte-statement-on-senate-border-security-deal/feed/ 0 National and State Education Organizations and Tech Companies Voice Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform http://inspirestemusa.org/national-and-state-education-organizations-and-tech-companies-voice-support-for-comprehensive-immigration-reform/ http://inspirestemusa.org/national-and-state-education-organizations-and-tech-companies-voice-support-for-comprehensive-immigration-reform/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:00:52 +0000 http://inspirestemusa.org/?p=539 Legislation Would Boost National Economy and Education Washington, D.C. – Citing potential improvements to the nation’s economy and its education system, 41 education organizations, corporations, and advocacy groups asked members of the U.S. Senate to support a national STEM education fund as a part of the bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform bill. In a letter issued on Tuesday, the organizations encourage their Senators to support a national fund that would help states improve STEM and computer science education throughout the U.S. “We are united in the belief that our nation’s competitiveness in the global economy depends a great deal on improving... Read More »

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]]> Legislation Would Boost National Economy and Education

Washington, D.C. – Citing potential improvements to the nation’s economy and its education system, 41 education organizations, corporations, and advocacy groups asked members of the U.S. Senate to support a national STEM education fund as a part of the bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform bill.

In a letter issued on Tuesday, the organizations encourage their Senators to support a national fund that would help states improve STEM and computer science education throughout the U.S.

“We are united in the belief that our nation’s competitiveness in the global economy depends a great deal on improving the education of American children in the science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and computer science fields,” the letter states.

Signers of the letter include: Alexandria Technical & Community College, American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Campaign for Environmental Literacy, The Center for Asian Pacific American Women, Citistates Group, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), Code, Computing in the Core, Delaware State University, East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI), Education Development Center (EDC), Excelencia in Education, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), National Math + Science Initiative, North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA), The New England Council, South Carolina Coalition for Mathematics & Science, South Central College, STEM Council, STEM For Kids, STEM Preparatory Academy, TAG Education Collaborative, Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, University of Hartford, Wilmington University, Dean of the Business College at Wilmington University, Mark Stellini (Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Delaware Technical and Community College), St. Paul College (MN), Rob Buccini (University of Delaware Trustee), Will Pinkston (Chair, Budget and Finance Committee, Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education).

Support for a national STEM education fund enjoys bipartisan support. A bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, includes an amendment from Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chris Coons (D-DE) that uses additional fees from employers seeking visas and green cards to create a stronger STEM fund.

“As we cultivate more U.S. STEM graduates, our country relies on immigrants with STEM degrees to fill vacant high-skilled jobs and help keep us competitive in the world,” the letter states. “Utilizing a portion of the increased fees paid by employers that hire foreign workers to support a substantial funding mechanism to improve and support U.S. STEM education is the right path forward.”

Contact: Tony Welch
[email protected]
202-777-0676

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