To the Editor:

If the U.S. is to stop the slide in its international educational standing, more emphasis needs to be placed on our school and university systems’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programs. These are the areas in education, which not only help keep our nation at the forefront of scientific discovery, but also are the degrees that are more likely than not to have ample employment opportunities in the near future.

Southeast Virginia should be a hub for such jobs and the students looking to obtain them. Luckily for Virginia, Congressman Randy Forbes recognizes this need and the potential it has for Southeast Virginia. A supporter of STEM initiatives and a leader in the ‘Modeling and Simulation’ technology push, Forbes is doing his part to bring these education initiatives to our region, and putting them to use.

Bruce Powell
Smithfield