To watch the interview with Suzanne Bonamici in its entirety, click here or on the image below.
When Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici successfully added an arts education amendment into the re-write of the major new federal education law, we knew we had to thank her personally. Rep. Bonamici and her staff came to our offices in Washington, D.C. to discuss the next implementation steps to advance the STEAM movement. Luckily for us, the Congresswoman graciously agreed to tell us in her own words why she advocated so passionately for the STEAM amendment.
This is not the first time Rep. Bonamici has proposed giving schools incentives for providing students with a well rounded education that includes the arts. In fact, she is the co-chair of the STEAM caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. But as a member of the conference committee that determined the exact language of the final education bill, Rep. Bonamici was finally able to muster the support to pass the STEAM amendment. And this was no contentious vote - the amendment passed unanmously.
This is a clear sign that the STEAM movement is, well, gaining steam, and that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are realizing that the arts enhance STEM sujects (science, technology, engineering, and math) rather than detract from them.
As many of our members know, we are collecting wish cards as part of our Annual Year End Campaign, asking: "If you could tell the next President of the United States your one wish for the arts in America, what would it be?" Rep. Bonamici gave us her wish, and we couldn't agree more. Full STEAM ahead, Congresswoman!
