SHAHEEN, STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHT OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES, STEM EDUCATION

(May 13, 2013)—Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller lead a discussion on export reform at The Warren B. Rudman Center at UNH School of Law.

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, met with Granite State leaders today to promote export reform and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education for women.  Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller joined Shaheen for the Concord and Manchester forums. In Concord, Professor Erin Corcoran moderated a discussion with New Hampshire state officials and businesses at The Warren B. Rudman Center at UNH School of Law.

“There are a few obvious keys to growing our economy and creating the jobs we need to compete in the evolving twenty-first century marketplace,” Shaheen said. “Making it easier for American small businesses to export and participate in overseas markets and investing in our students with STEM education are chief among the ways we can better position the U.S. economy for current and future demands.”

Shaheen has long been a strong and active proponent of streamlining the outdated U.S. export control system.  Shaheen also helped create the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program to assist small businesses looking to take advantage of emerging global market places and has also introduced two pieces of legislation, the Small Business Export Growth Act and Go Global Act, focused on increasing exports for small businesses.  Her call to streamline the export system were recently answered by the Administration’s Export Control Reform Initiative, which announced key reforms in March.

“I was so glad to visit New Hampshire and participate with in export control reform and STEM events with Senator Shaheen,” said Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Gottemoeller.  “She understands the critical role both issues play in advancing American national security and American business.”

Shaheen and Gottemoeller also led a discussion in Manchester promoting  STEM among young women.  The New Hampshire Senator has been a longtime supporter STEM efforts since her days as Governor and is a recognized leader by STEM Connector in their 100 Women in STEM publication. Shaheen plans to reintroduce legislation that would give students greater access to innovative STEM education programs like FIRST Robotics in science and engineering and is committed to narrowing the gender gap within the STEM fields.