by Eva Dameron
Daily Lobo
President George Bush visited Intel in Rio Rancho on Friday.
One of the items on his agenda was education reform in America.
Bush spoke to about 200 people on his plan to keep America competitive in the global economy.
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One of the most important ways to do this is to get kids focused on math and science, he said.
"I proposed to Congress that we double basic research programs and physical sciences over the next 10 years," Bush said. "By doing so, we'll be the leader in Nano Technology research, and I'm just beginning to understand what that means."
He said the second thing Congress needs to do is encourage private investment in research and development.
"Most of the research done in the United States is done through the private sector, about two-thirds of it," he said. "Fifteen-thousand companies take advantage of what is called Research and Development Tax Credit. It's part of our tax code. The problem is it is temporary. Congress needs to make the research and development tax credit a permanent part of our tax code to encourage more private sector research to keep America on the leading edge of innovation."
A discussion panel included Laura Bush, Intel's chairman, a TVI instructor, local entrepreneurs and a high school student.
Nicole Lopez, a Rio Rancho High School senior, spoke about how math and science changed her life.
"My freshman year I was starting to become very involved in gangs and hanging out with the wrong people," she said. "If it weren't for two teachers to pull me out, I would not be where I am today."
She said her mentor helped her get involved with research in math and science.
"I found out that I was pretty good at it," Lopez said. "With that I have become very good with communicating as well as mentoring. I've learned who I am and what I want to become, thanks to them as well as the math and science program at the high school."
Bush said the government cannot fix everything, and most problems are solved locally.
"You just described the whole spirit of helping America's youth," Bush told Lopez. "You also just described the true strength of the country. Our country's strength is not our military or the size of our wallet. It is the fact that there are millions of people with a great heart who want to improve somebody else's life."
He called his plan a chance for Republicans and Democrats to "put aside all the foolishness that's going on in Washington and come together and get something done for the future of this country."
Bush also spoke about the need to stay focused in times of war.
"In times of uncertainty there's a tendency throughout our foreign policy history to withdraw," he said. "In times of uncertainty, sometimes folks say, 'Why do we need to compete? Why don't we just come within ourselves, why don't we protect ourselves home from the war?'"
UNM Regent Don Chalmers said he was excited about plans for more research in the sciences.
"Obviously, it's right up our alley because we're a research university to begin with, and I think we encourage those sorts of things," he said. "We could actually be a model for the whole country right at UNM."
Gail Doherty, whose daughter is an Intel employee, got tickets to hear Bush speak.
"It was a phenomenal experience just to be in the presence of the president," she said. "I like what he has to say. There are times that I don't totally agree, but I love the small format. We saw a part of him we don't usually see."
