Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), a long-time advocate for math and science education, announced that he will not seek re-election in November after serving eight full terms in the House of Representatives. Ehlers was a professor of physics at Calvin College from 1966-83 and the first research physicist to serve in Congress.
He serves on the House committees on Education and Labor; Science and Technology; and Transportation and Infrastructure and is also co-chair of the STEM Education Caucus.
Ehlers has been involved with a variety of legislation aimed at improving the outcome of math and science education, including the current reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, last year’s introduction of the Improving Mathematics and Science Teacher Quality Act, and the SPEAK Act, a bi-partisan effort introduced with democrat Senator Christopher Dodd, who also plans to retire after completing this term. Ehlers also sponsored National Computer Science Education Week, which will take place December 2010.
According to the Washington Post, Ehlers says that he may return to his roots in the sciences. “I’ve always dreamed of building my own airplane and flying it so that’s still a dream, but I don’t know if I’ll have the time or the energy to do it,” he said.
Ehlers recognizes that he still has work left to do before his term ends. “Many serious issues still need diligent attention from Congress,” he says, “and I intend to participate vigorously in my work for the remainder of this year.”
