Curt Weldon,Education support and outreach On April 5, 2006, Congressman Weldon welcomed 47 all-star academics from the 7th District to Washington, D.C. These straight-A athletes were participating in the 17th Annual Scholar Athlete Program, which commends students from across the 7th District for their outstanding academic performance and athletic pursuits. The students went to the Iceworks facility in Aston, Pa. where they were welcomed by former Philadelphia Philly Dickie Noles and former Philadelphia Flyer Jim Watson. Then they were off to the nation’s capital for a VIP reception and tours of national buildings and monuments. As a final tribute, Congressmen Weldon hosted a special luncheon for the students to hear from accomplished current and former athletes, including Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), former Washington Redskin Ray Brown, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan and PGA Tour golfer Billy Hurley. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Congressman Weldon has been a strong supporter of America's public libraries. On April 21, 2006, he presented the Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Library System's (DCLS) Award for Outstanding Public Official to Pennsylvania State Senator Dominic F. Pileggi. Congressman commended Senator Pileggi for his commitment to the Delaware County's library system. Congressman Weldon himself was the first recipient of the Outstanding Public Official Award in 1996. He continues to work hard to expand and improve America's public libraries and literacy initiatives. In Congress, Weldon recently signed a letter to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Member urging them to include more than $320 million in fiscal year 2007 funding for library and literacy programs. Congressman Weldon played a key role in establishing the Delaware County Library System - a federated system comprised of 26 member libraries located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia - with the goal of optimizing library services to the citizens of Delaware County through cooperative efforts. Congressman works hard to ensure that this system befits from federal and state funding. On February 24-27, 2006, Congressman Weldon, a senior member of the House Science Committee and Subcommittee on Research, was recognized by the Engineers’ Council for his lifetime of work toward advancing science and technology. Congressman Weldon is the first and only member of Congress to be awarded the Council’s highest honor, the Honorary Engineer of the Year Award. Past recipients include President Ronald Reagan, Secretaries of Defense Rumsfeld and Dr. William Perry, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, Brigadier General (Ret.) Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager. Founded in 1955, the Engineers’ Council is a not-for-profit professional society that aims to advance education and career opportunities in engineering and the sciences, and recognizes engineers for their significant accomplishments. As Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, Rep. Weldon has played a key role in ensuring an effective transfer of technology between the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. He also has actively supported science and technology in the classroom as a member of the Congressional Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) Caucus.