Assembly Resolution No. 600

BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        September  16-22, 2019, as STEM and Tech Week in the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  weeks  that  are  set  aside  to  recognize  the importance of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 16-22,  2019,
as STEM and Tech Week in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Science,  Technology,  Engineering,  and  Mathematics  are
crucial fields for New York's economy and innovation; and

  WHEREAS, Many of the  fastest  growing  occupations  in  the  United
States require some form of expertise in the areas of STEM; and

  WHEREAS, STEM careers represent some of the highest-paying positions
in  any field, thereby providing desirable career opportunities and real
pathways out of poverty; and

  WHEREAS, The median wage of New York State STEM  occupations  is  67
percent higher than the median annual wage for all workers in the State;
and

  WHEREAS,  Preparing  students for the STEM workforce is essential to
fulfill the demands of our 21st century, innovation-focused economy; and

  WHEREAS, A significant diversity gap exists in participation in STEM
disciplines and the technology workforce; and

  WHEREAS, While women make  up  nearly  50  percent  of  the  working
population,  they represent only about 28 percent of the STEM workforce;
and

  WHEREAS, While African Americans constitute 17 percent of the United
States population, they represent only 5 percent of the STEM  workforce;
and

  WHEREAS,  While  Latinos  make  up  17  percent of the United States
population, they represent only 6 percent of the STEM Workforce; and

  WHEREAS, Only 2.5 percent  of  the  total  workforce  identifies  as
lesbian,  gay,  bisexual,  transgender,  or  queer, with an estimated 20
percent fewer LGBTQ workers on government STEM-related jobs than  should
be expected; and

  WHEREAS,  While  women  and  underrepresented communities constitute
about 70 percent of college students, they only earn 45 percent of  STEM
degrees; and

  WHEREAS,  Out of the total bachelor's degrees earned in STEM fields,
only 45 percent  are  earned  by  women,  and  only  36  are  earned  by
underrepresented minorities; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 16-22,  2019,
as  STEM  and  Tech  Week in the State of New York, and to encourage and
celebrate diversity in the STEM field in the State of New York;  and  be
it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.