Assembly Resolution No. 1023

BY: M. of A. Rules (Jean-Pierre)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 16-22, 2022, as Diversity in 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 16-22, 2022, as
Diversity in 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 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, 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 27 percent of the STEM workforce;
and

WHEREAS, While African Americans constitute 11 percent of the United
States population, they represent only 9 percent of the STEM workforce;
and

WHEREAS, While Latinos make up 16 percent of the United States
population, they represent only 7 percent of the STEM workforce; and

WHEREAS, Out of all the degrees earned in STEM fields, Black and
Hispanic graduates are underrepresented compared to all the degrees
earned by these communities; and

WHEREAS, While the share of all bachelor's degrees earned by Black
graduates is 10 percent, only 7 percent are represented by STEM
bachelor's degrees; and

WHEREAS, While the share of all degrees earned by Hispanic graduates
is 15 percent, only 12 percent are represented by STEM degrees; and

WHEREAS, While the share of all bachelor's degrees earned by women
is 58 percent, only 53 percent are represented by STEM bachelor's
degrees; and

WHEREAS, Women are underrepresented within the STEM fields; out of
all the bachelor's degrees, 85 percent are in health-related fields and
only 22 and 19 percent are in engineering and computer science,
respectively; and

WHEREAS, The Americans that self-identify themselves as LGBTQ+ have
been increasing over the years and a gap exists for LGBTQ+ people
studying and working in STEM; and

WHEREAS, Men that identify themselves within LGBTQ+ are 12 percent
less likely to have a STEM-related degree compared to heterosexual men;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 16-22, 2022, as
Diversity in STEM and Tech Week in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.