STEM Education Caucus Co-Chair Luz Rivas Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating National STEM Day

LOS ANGELES - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (D-CA-29) - the only Latina in Congress with a background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and co-chair of the STEM Education Caucus - introduced a bipartisan resolution to commemorate National STEM Day on November 8 with her STEM Education Caucus co-chair Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL-02).

"I believe in the talent and potential of our students to become STEM leaders and pave the way on solutions that address the climate crisis, work with emerging technologies, and find cures to rare diseases," said Congresswoman Rivas. "Our resolution reaffirms our commitment to protecting opportunities for STEM education for students of all backgrounds. As a community, we have a duty to foster opportunities and prepare future generations of STEM leaders to keep America competitive on the global stage."

"STEM education is a necessary investment for our country's future," said Congressman Dunn. "We must ensure that we are equipping our nation's youth with valuable skills to further American innovation, stay competitive with other countries such as China, and give students real skills that they can profit from in the job market."

The lawmakers' resolution has support from the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), Afterschool Alliance (AA), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), STEM Education Coalition, Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, STEM Ecosystems, Afterschool STEM Hub, and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

"I commend Congressman Dunn and Congresswoman Rivas for introducing this resolution recognizing the importance of National STEM Day. STEM education provides the foundation for the U.S. to move forward economically and technologically," said Joann P. DiGennaro, President and Co-Founder of The Center for Excellence in Education. "The U.S. came in second behind China in the 2025 Center for Excellence in Education's Index that ranked the performance of high school students across the globe in each of the five major STEM-related Olympiad competitions. The U.S. should be #1 and with the necessary support and resources we can achieve that goal."

"The Afterschool Alliance is delighted to support Representatives Luz Rivas and Neal Dunn in acknowledging and celebrating National STEM Day," said Anita Krishnamurthi, PhD, Senior Vice President for STEM and Youth Civic Engagement. "We appreciate this opportunity to uplift the vital role that afterschool STEM programs play in the STEM education ecosystem. This Resolution thoughtfully encompasses the various partners that must work together to ensure that all young people have access to quality STEM education in order to develop the workforce of the U.S., nurture a STEM-literate society, and utilize STEM to improve people's lives."

"Expanding pathways in STEM education is vital to building a stronger, more resilient, and innovative workforce," said Suzanna Valdez-Wolfe, CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). "The National STEM Day Resolution recognizes the importance of harnessing the full STEM ecosystem, bringing together community-based organizations, industry leaders, and academic and research institutions, to create opportunities that inspire more students, strengthen the STEM pipeline, and prepare the next generation to lead in science and technology."

"The STEM Education Coalition is proud to support this bipartisan resolution recognizing National STEM Day and the vital role that STEM learning plays in preparing America's students for the jobs and challenges of the future," said James Brown, Executive Director, STEM Education Coalition. "Representative Rivas and Representative Dunn are right to highlight that strong, inclusive STEM education - across classrooms, afterschool programs, and communities - is essential to U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness."

Background:

Congresswoman Luz Rivas and Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL-02), co-chairs of the bipartisan STEM Education Caucus, introduced a resolution acknowledging November 8 as National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Day.

The resolution uplifts STEM education and reaffirms the responsibility to ensure all students have access to STEM education, including technological literacy, digital access, and opportunities to experience computer science and artificial intelligence (AI).

The full resolution can be found here.

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