Press Release

Gillibrand Announces Key Senate panel Approves $500,000 To Help Recruit and Serve Queens Science Teachers

Jul 31, 2009

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that late yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $500,000 for the New York Hall of Science in the FY10 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill, which will be used to train thousands of New York City science teachers through development workshops. Senator Gillibrand aggressively lobbied members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.

“This federal investment in New York Hall of Science, a leading pioneer in science technology and education, will produce a generation of Queens teachers that will inspire future inventors, doctors, and scientists,” Senator Gillibrand said.

The New York Hall of Science in Queens is New York City’s only hands-on science and technology center. The Hall, known as one of the nation’s best science museums, features hundreds of hands-on exhibits in biology, chemistry and physics. Funding will help bolster professional development workshops to recruit and train 4,000 New York City science teachers who can earn graduate-level credit courses and certification.

Late yesterday, the Appropriations Bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education passed the full committee. The legislation will now head to the floor for a vote before the full Senate. The legislation will now head to the floor for a vote before the full Senate. The bill will then proceed to the House-Senate Conference Committee, before final passage in both chambers, and sent to the President to become law.