Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Signs Memo Expanding STEM Education - September 25, 2017 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:26 (26 sec)

Well, thank you all. It's a great pleasure to be here with Secretary DeVos, Secretary Acosta, and Ivanka. I also want to express my appreciation to Representatives Bradley Byrne, Susan Brooks, Lamar Smith, and Virginia Foxx. Thank you all for being here. Thank you. Thank you very much for being with us. And Mimi Walters, thank you very much. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Susan.

Donald Trump

00:00:26 - 00:00:41 (15 sec)

I want to just talk about leadership. It's the most important issue. We need leadership in this country -- women and girls and for every child in America, represented by all of the incredible students here today. These are great students. Are you all good students?

Audience

00:00:41 - 00:00:43 (2 sec)

Donald Trump

00:00:43 - 00:00:52 (9 sec)

Everybody has really terrific marks. Right? Well, you're doing fantastically. That's why you're in -- I just said before the press came in: What's the name of this office?

Audience

00:00:52 - 00:00:54 (2 sec)

The Oval Office.

Donald Trump

00:00:54 - 00:01:06 (12 sec)

Every one of them knew that. [Laughter] As you know, the workplace is changing. We need to create new pathways for all our citizens to get the best jobs. When you get out of school you want to get great jobs, right?

Audience

00:01:06 - 00:01:07 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:07 - 00:01:18 (11 sec)

I've asked Ivanka to lead up the White House efforts on workforce development, and the initiative today is a critical part of that endeavor. Have you seen Ivanka? Do you know Ivanka?

Audience

00:01:18 - 00:01:18 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:18 - 00:01:35 (17 sec)

Where is Ivanka? There's Ivanka. My administration will do everything possible to provide our children, especially kids in underserved areas, with access to high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and math. Are you a good math student?

Audience Member

00:01:35 - 00:01:36 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:36 - 00:01:43 (7 sec)

Are you? Let's see. What's your strength in school? Science?

Audience Member

00:01:43 - 00:01:43 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:43 - 00:01:45 (2 sec)

Good science, right? What's your strength?

Audience Member

00:01:45 - 00:01:48 (3 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:48 - 00:01:55 (7 sec)

Thank you. Thank you. [Laughter]

Donald Trump

00:01:55 - 00:02:10 (15 sec)

In particular, computer science for grades K-12 -- that's so important now, right? It's a whole new world. You got to know how to use those computers. Currently, more than half of high schools do not offer computer programming, and nearly 40 percent do not offer physics.

Donald Trump

00:02:10 - 00:02:13 (3 sec)

Now, do you have computer programming in your schools? All of you?

Audience

00:02:13 - 00:02:13 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:02:13 - 00:02:15 (2 sec)

How about you? Do you them in your schools?

Audience

00:02:15 - 00:02:15 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:02:15 - 00:02:17 (2 sec)

You're all pretty good with the computers?

Audience

00:02:17 - 00:02:18 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:02:18 - 00:02:32 (14 sec)

That's important nowadays. Greater access to STEM and computer science programs will ensure that our children can develop the skills they need to compete and to win in the workforce of tomorrow. Who likes to win?

Audience

00:02:32 - 00:02:32 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:02:32 - 00:02:44 (12 sec)

Anybody like to lose? I don't think so. Oh, so a little wise guy back there. [Laughter] Better STEM education also means higher-paying jobs for American workers and families.

Donald Trump

00:02:44 - 00:03:01 (17 sec)

You get out of school you get great -- really great jobs -- high-paying jobs. And we're doing very well with the employment rolls today. You get really good jobs. And we want our amazing young Americans to fill these jobs, earn a great living, lift up their communities, and achieve their American dreams.

Donald Trump

00:03:01 - 00:03:14 (13 sec)

The directives I am sharing today, with Secretary DeVos at the helm, to make STEM education, including computer science, a priority for the Department of Education. Is that right, Betsy?

Betsy DeVos

00:03:14 - 00:03:14 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:03:14 - 00:03:15 (1 sec)

That's going to be a big thing that you're doing.

Betsy DeVos

00:03:15 - 00:03:18 (3 sec)

Absolutely, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:03:18 - 00:03:20 (2 sec)

And that's working out well?

Betsy DeVos

00:03:20 - 00:03:20 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:03:20 - 00:03:33 (13 sec)

You're moving on it incredibly. The department will explore ways to add or increase computer science to existing K-12 and post-secondary education programs.

Donald Trump

00:03:33 - 00:03:48 (15 sec)

It also establishes a goal of devoting at least 200 -- listen to this number -- $200 million each year in grants toward funding this priority. So that's $200 million a year. Does that sound like big bucks?

Audience

00:03:48 - 00:03:48 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:03:48 - 00:03:55 (7 sec)

What do you guys think? It's peanuts, it's peanuts, right? [Laughter] You're going to say, "give us more."" Right? [Laughter] You got to get more."

Donald Trump

00:03:55 - 00:04:09 (14 sec)

But now $200 million each year in grants, and that's toward funding this very, very important priority. So with today's action, we will help give our American children a pathway to success in the workforce of tomorrow.

Donald Trump

00:04:09 - 00:04:19 (10 sec)

Thank you, and God bless you all. And I really appreciate you being in the White House. And I know you're going to take a tour in a little while, but we start right here in the Oval Office.

Donald Trump

00:04:19 - 00:04:29 (10 sec)

But it's an honor to have all of you, and someday you'll be great students and you'll be the leaders of the world -- the United States and the world. Right?

Audience

00:04:29 - 00:04:30 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:30 - 00:04:39 (9 sec)

Would any of our representatives -- maybe I'll start with Betsy. Would you like to say something? Betsy DeVos, everybody.

Betsy DeVos

00:04:39 - 00:04:49 (10 sec)

Mr. President, thank you for your support of STEM initiatives, and especially to the students who are here today. Thank you for your commitment to your own futures.

Betsy DeVos

00:04:49 - 00:05:10 (21 sec)

And with this initiative, we hope and trust that you're going to have more opportunities to pursue the things that are most interesting to you and that will afford you the greatest opportunities for your future, and collectively for our future. So thank you so much, Mr. President. And for all of the students: Good luck, and all the best in your studies.

Audience

00:05:10 - 00:05:10 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:05:10 - 00:05:23 (13 sec)

Well, thank you, Betsy. And the Secretary has been working really hard to get this done. This is just one of many things, but you've been working really hard. And, Alex, would you say a few things? Secretary Alex Acosta.

Alex Acosta

00:05:23 - 00:05:48 (25 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President. As the father of two young girls, I know firsthand how important it is to start early. And what's so exciting about this initiative, from my perspective, is all the young kids that are going to be exposed to computer science and to coding and to STEM because, if you start early, it's transformative, especially for young girls.

Alex Acosta

00:05:48 - 00:05:57 (9 sec)

I see that at home. It's so important. I'm excited to see all of you here. So, you know, it's wonderful you're here. And, Mr. President, thank you for doing this for all of us.

Donald Trump

00:05:57 - 00:06:00 (3 sec)

Well, thank you very much. Thank you, Alex. Great job. Bradley?

Bradley Byrne

00:06:00 - 00:06:15 (15 sec)

Mr. President, I'm from Alabama. We started the Alabama Math/Science Technology Initiative almost 20 years ago, and we thought it was the thing of the future. Well, it's a thing of the present, and your signing this today means a lot to young people and educators all over America. Thank you for this.

Donald Trump

00:06:15 - 00:06:19 (4 sec)

Well, thank you. And Alabama is a great state. We love Alabama. Susan Brooks.

Susan Brooks

00:06:19 - 00:06:42 (23 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President. Hello, kids. I'm from Indiana. I was at 4th grade class last week in Carmel, Indiana -- Mrs. McKay's class in Towne Meadow Elementary, and they're using computers all day long doing virtual field trips, learning instantly, and the teacher knows where their problems are right away. And just so you know, the jobs of the future, we don't know even know what they all are.

Susan Brooks

00:06:42 - 00:06:48 (6 sec)

And so because of technology, because of this funding computer science in class, you're going to be ready. So thank you.

Donald Trump

00:06:48 - 00:06:55 (7 sec)

Thank you very much, Susan. And these are all very powerful people that are speaking, just so you know. Okay? Now Lamar Smith.

Lamar Smith

00:06:55 - 00:07:05 (10 sec)

Mr. President, thank you. I'm chairman of the science committee in the House, and I just want to thank the President for giving a priority to STEM education and to computer science in particular.

Lamar Smith

00:07:05 - 00:07:16 (11 sec)

In the last Congress, I introduced a bill that became law to expand the definition of STEM to include computer science, and I'm especially grateful to the President for emphasizing that. And Mr. President, good to be here.

Donald Trump

00:07:16 - 00:07:18 (2 sec)

Excellent. Virginia.

Virginia Foxx

00:07:18 - 00:07:25 (7 sec)

Well, as chairwoman of the education workforce committee, Mr. Speaker -- Mr. President. [Laughter]

Donald Trump

00:07:25 - 00:07:31 (6 sec)

I'll take Speaker, too. [Laughter] Get things done.

Virginia Foxx

00:07:31 - 00:07:47 (16 sec)

We are so proud of you for doing this. We know we have 5.6 million jobs available right now to our workforce, and many of them are unfilled because our employees do not have the skills they need.

Virginia Foxx

00:07:47 - 00:08:09 (22 sec)

So it's wonderful to see us encouraging these young people to begin early to be involved in these subject matters. And we need to spread this idea throughout our culture for people of all ages, but we particularly, as others have said, want to get the young people engaged, involved, and excited about all of these subjects.

Donald Trump

00:08:09 - 00:08:12 (3 sec)

Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Mimi, where are you?

Mimi Walters

00:08:12 - 00:08:21 (9 sec)

I'm right here, Mr. President. I'm Mimi Walters from California. I want to thank you very much for signing this legislation today.

Mimi Walters

00:08:21 - 00:08:38 (17 sec)

I'm a mom of four kids, and STEM is very exciting. When I was in high school, computers were just getting into school. So we've come a long way, and it's very exciting to see so many young kids here that are interested in STEM. So thank you very much for signing this today.

Donald Trump

00:08:38 - 00:08:49 (11 sec)

Thank you very much, and you've done a great job, and we appreciate it. You've all done a great job, and it's something very special. My daughter is here. Should we hear from Ivanka? What do you think? Yes? I think so, right? Ivanka, go ahead.

Ivanka Trump

00:08:49 - 00:08:59 (10 sec)

First of all, thank you all for being here. You are the future of innovators and entrepreneurs and engineers and programmers in this country. So it's so exciting to see your enthusiasm.

Ivanka Trump

00:08:59 - 00:09:11 (12 sec)

But today represents a giant leap forward as we think about aligning the skills that are taught in the classroom with the skills that are in demand in the modern economy.

Ivanka Trump

00:09:11 - 00:09:22 (11 sec)

So we're very excited about today's announcement and towards really focusing on the goal of putting Americans to work and making sure that all Americans get great-paying jobs.

Ivanka Trump

00:09:22 - 00:09:29 (7 sec)

So thank you all for being here, and I look forward to watching you all go on to accomplish many amazing and extraordinary things.

Donald Trump

00:09:29 - 00:09:51 (22 sec)

Thanks, Ivanka. And education is just so important at every level, whether it's this or whatever you study. And always remember this: Do what you love. Study what you love. You parents may want you to do something -- and you should always listen to your parents -- but try to focus on the things that you love, whether it's in studies or when you get out of school.

Donald Trump

00:09:51 - 00:10:01 (10 sec)

Do what you love and you're going to be successful. Work hard, all of those things -- but you have to follow your heart to a certain extent and maybe even to a large extent.

Donald Trump

00:10:01 - 00:10:16 (15 sec)

So when you get out there, make sure that you're -- you know, it's very interesting. I say this a lot -- do what you love -- but then it's not work. Because if you love it, it's not working. It's like a pleasure. So always follow your hearts, and you're going to be tremendously successful people.

Donald Trump

00:10:16 - 00:10:40 (24 sec)

And you're going to remember this day because it's a special place. You're in a special place, and very few get to come and see this, but I wanted you to see it today. It is a very, very special area of the world. It all happens here. And you're here today, and it's my honor to have you. So go out there, work really hard, and do really well. Okay? And I'll see you soon. We'll see you soon. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:10:40 - 00:11:14 (34 sec)

So we're going to sign. The question is, who gets the pen? Who's going to get this pen? I'll get you another one, okay? [Laughter] You know, get me some additional pens, and while we're going to do this, we're going to give them out to the students.

Donald Trump

00:11:14 - 00:11:33 (19 sec)

Because you'll be the ones signing this in the future for future generations. All right, so if you could get me some additional pens. Okay, we'll send them the good ones. [Laughter] Not the bad ones, the good ones -- like this. [The memorandum is signed]

Donald Trump

00:11:33 - 00:11:38 (5 sec)

So we're going to give this to a very special woman who has worked so hard on this, and I think that's -- are you ready for it?

Virginia Foxx

00:11:38 - 00:11:38 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:11:38 - 00:11:38 (0 sec)

Okay, thank you.

Virginia Foxx

00:11:38 - 00:11:39 (1 sec)

God bless you. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:11:39 - 00:12:06 (27 sec)

I think we'll put her in charge of healthcare. I think we're going to put you in charge. [Laughter] It'll get done, right? If we do the healthcare, it will get done. Okay everybody. This is very important. Thank you all very much.