November 30, 2005

Honorable Frank Wolf
U.S. House of Representatives
Chairman of Science-State-Justice-Commerce Subcommittee on Appropriations
241 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Wolf:

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition would like to express our greatest appreciation to you for your bold leadership in providing significantly increased funding in fiscal year 2006 for the National Science Foundation and its educational programs. The decision by the Subcommittee to provide $807 million for the Education and Human Resources Directorate and $64 million for the Math and Science Partnerships represents a clear commitment to strengthen our nation’s STEM education system and bolster U.S. competitiveness.

Our coalition fully supports your ongoing efforts on this issue.

The STEM Education Coalition is comprised of more than 50 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and education groups and has been in existence prior the No Child Left Behind Act. We have continually supported programs at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, and other agencies that offer STEM related programs for teachers and students.

We recognize that in a time when our country is engaged militarily abroad and confronted with natural disasters of an unprecedented scale at home, Congress, and especially your Committee, is faced with tough decisions on funding priorities. Within this context, we are especially pleased that you have been able to provide strong funding support this year for the educational program of the NSF.

Thank you for your leadership. Your commitment to support the educational mission of the NSF has reverberated throughout the STEM Community.

Please contact James Brown at (202) 872-6229 or Jodi Peterson at (703) 312-9214 if you need any additional information or if you have any questions.