SENATE CAUCUS ROOM YIELDS THE FLOOR TO CEE ALUMNI DR. PAM TAUB OF UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH AND INTEL FIRST PLACE WINNER AMOL PUNJABI
CONGRESSWOMAN COMSTOCK (VA), CONGRESSMAN PETERS (CA), AND CONGRESSMAN WITTMAN (VA) PROVIDED STEM COMMENTARY TO SUPPORT CEE’S PROGRAMS
April 21, 2016 (McLean, VA) - The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), in partnership with the National Confectioners Association (NCA), hosted CEE’s Annual Congressional Luncheon Wednesday, April 20th, at the Kennedy Caucus Room, in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Congressman Scott Peters, and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA) addressed attendees at the event.
“It is difficult to garner support for programs focused on assisting this nation’s most academically talented students in STEM,” said Joann P. DiGennaro, President of CEE. “However, global competition makes it essential for the U.S. to recognize that it is crucial for its resources to also nurture those most able to make the breakthrough discoveries in health, environment, national security, energy, agriculture, to benefit our nation and the world.”
Dr. Pam Taub, Associate Professor of Medicine, UC San Diego Health, an alumnus of the Center’s Research Science Institute (RSI), and First Place Winner in the Intel Science Talent Search Competition, Amol Punjabi, also an alumnus of the RSI, highlighted the profound impact the RSI made in their lives. Dr. Taub prescribed two squares of dark chocolate per day for everyone’s diet. Her research over the years has shown that cocoa and dark chocolate can play a beneficial role in patient’s lives who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attacks. Amol discussed how he took his RSI project and expanded his research to earn his accolade of First Place at Intel.
“It is a pleasure and honor for us to be here today to celebrate and recognize the importance of STEM education,” said John Downs, President and CEO of the National Confectioners Association. “We get a chance to talk about the development of future leaders in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. The scholarship programs, the competitions, and the educator enrichment program that CEE operates, are first class in our country. We are so honored to serve as a sponsor for this luncheon.”
The luncheon celebrates the success of the Center’s Research Science Institute (RSI) offered in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), collaboratively partnered with Marymount University, and the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP), held in eight states and the District of Columbia.
About the Center for Excellence in Education
The Center for Excellence in Education was founded in 1983 by the late Admiral H.G. Rickover and Joann P. DiGennaro, President of the Center. The Center's mission is to nurture high school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to encourage collaboration between and among leaders in the global community. For more information about the Center and its programs, visit CEE’s web site, www.cee.org.
About the National Confections Association
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization representing the $35 billion U.S. confections industry. With members in more than 40 states employing approximately 55,000 workers in more than 1,000 facilities across the U.S., NCA exists to advance, protect and promote the confectionery industry. NCA and its members value the fun and enjoyment of chocolate, candy, gum and mints, serving as a transparent and trustworthy source while building and promoting a responsible industry. As the leading trade association for the industry, NCA is proud of the role it plays in the public’s understanding and appreciation of candy’s unique role in a happy, balanced lifestyle. For more information, visit NCA’s website, www.candyusa.com
| Sources: | Abby Mitchell,703-448-9062 ext. 236 | |
Related websites:
Center for Excellence in Education: http://www.cee.org/
Teacher Enrichment Program: http://www.cee.org/teacher-enrichment-program
Research Science Institute: http://www.cee.org/research-science-institute
USA Biology Olympiad: http://www.cee.org/usa-biology-olympiad-usabo