Washington, DC – Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) won Science Committee approval Wednesday of his amendment aimed to increase transportation educational opportunities for women and minorities.

Neugebauer secured support for his amendment creating the Garrett Morgan Technology and Transportation Program.  The amendment was included as part of H.R. 3551, the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2004.  The bill was approved by the full committee by voice vote.

The program aims to improve the preparation, especially women and minorities, in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through curriculum development and other activities related to transportation.

“By engaging students in solving real-world problems, this program will connect kids to the world of transportation.  And, with its specific focus on female and minority students, can help bring greater diversity into the transportation workforce,” said Neugebauer. 

Garrett Morgan was an African-American inventor and publisher.  He was credited with many great inventions, most notably the traffic light.  This program was originally developed by Rodney Slater when he was Secretary of Transportation during the Clinton Administration.  It would provide grants to states and local education agencies to develop internships for students, bring engineers and scientists into the classroom, and use transportation concepts to help get kids excited about math and science. 

H.R. 3551 is designed to create a more relevant research and development program and improve the quality of university programs related to transportation.

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