What This Bill Does
This resolution expresses support for calling March 14, 2023, "National Pi Day." The resolution recognizes the importance of mathematics and science education. It encourages schools and educators to use the day to teach students about Pi and mathematics.
Who It Affects
Schools and educators are directly encouraged to participate. Students learning mathematics and science are the intended beneficiaries. The National Science Foundation's programs are recognized.
Key Provisions
* The House of Representatives supports the designation of "Pi Day" and its celebration around the world (Sec. 1)
* The House recognizes the continuing importance of the National Science Foundation's math and science education programs (Sec. 2)
* Schools and educators are encouraged to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them in studying mathematics (Sec. 3)
What Changes
If this resolution passes, it establishes March 14, 2023, as "National Pi Day" with House support. Schools and educators would be encouraged to create activities on that date to teach students about Pi and mathematics.
Important Definitions
Pi is the Greek letter that represents the ratio of a circle's circumference (the distance around the edge) to its diameter (the distance across through the center). Pi is an irrational number (a number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction) that continues infinitely without repeating.
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
IV
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 221
Expressing support for designation of March 14, 2023, as ‘‘National Pi
Day’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 10, 2023
Mr. FOSTER (for himself, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. CASTEN, Mr. COHEN, Mr.
FLEISCHMANN, Ms. HOULAHAN, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. KILMER, Ms. MCCOL-
LUM, Ms. TOKUDA, Mr. TONKO, Mr. SCHIFF, and Mr. MULLIN) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of March 14, 2023, as
‘‘National Pi Day’’.
Whereas the Greek letter (Pi) is the symbol for the ratio of
the circumference of a circle to its diameter;
Whereas Pi is an irrational number, which will continue infi-
nitely without repeating, and has been calculated to over
62 trillion digits;
Whereas Pi is a fundamental mathematical constant that has
been studied throughout history and is central in mathe-
matics as well as science and engineering;
Whereas mathematics and science are a critical part of our
children’s education;
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•HRES 221 IH
Whereas aptitude in mathematics, science, and engineering is
essential for a knowledge-based society;
Whereas, according to the 2015 Trends in International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey done by
the National Center for Education Statistics, American
children in the fourth and eighth grades were out-
performed by students in other countries including Singa-
pore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan;
Whereas students from underrepresented minorities and from
schools with high poverty rates have lower than average
scores on the TIMSS survey;
Whereas, while through eighth grade girls and boys have
similar math and science scores on the TIMSS survey,
there is a significant gender gap in math and physics
scores at the end of high school;
Whereas the United States needs to reinforce mathematics
and science education for all students in order to better
prepare children for the future and to succeed in a 21st-
century economy;
Whereas the National Science Foundation has been driving
innovation in math and science education at all levels
from elementary through graduate education since its
creation 73 years ago;
Whereas mathematics and science can be a fun and inter-
esting part of a child’s education, and learning about Pi
can be an engaging way to teach children about geometry
and attract them to study science and mathematics; and
Whereas Pi can be approximated as 3.14, and thus March
14, 2023, is an appropriate day for ‘‘National Pi Day’’:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
1
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•HRES 221 IH
(1) supports the designation of a ‘‘Pi Day’’ and
1
its celebration around the world;
2
(2) recognizes the continuing importance of the
3
National Science Foundation’s math and science
4
education programs; and
5
(3) encourages schools and educators to observe
6
the day with appropriate activities that teach stu-
7
dents about Pi and engage them about the study of
8
mathematics.
9
Æ
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