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.