Rex Tillerson participates in Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week

Chairman and CEO Rex W. Tillerson speaking at Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week

October 4, 2007

Chairman and CEO Rex W. Tillerson recently urged Hispanic students to pursue opportunities in math and science and become part of a new generation of scientists and engineers required to keep the nation a technological and economic leader.

Tillerson made the call to action in a speech to more than 1,000 middle and high school students, educators and business leaders at the University of Texas-Pan American's sixth annual HESTEC Week.

"Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week provides a unique and valuable opportunity to focus on the important contribution Latino students can make to strengthen the United States' leadership as an innovation nation," said Tillerson. "ExxonMobil is proud to support HESTEC's work and other Hispanic outreach initiatives."

The energy industry is at the cutting edge of technology and requires constant innovation, he said.

"It is important that we continue to find new and better ways to develop energy resources in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. As today's students, you could help make that happen."

While at the University, Tillerson participated in Robotics Expo Day which is part of the HESTEC Week, an annual initiative founded and hosted by the university and Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. The Robotics Expo, sponsored by ExxonMobil, provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, compete in a robotics competition and interact with new and innovative technologies.

In addition to Robotics Expo, ExxonMobil also sponsored Latinas Day, a series of panel discussions on a range of educational, business and leadership topics focused on young women and their mothers.

"Celebrating its sixth anniversary, HESTEC is an innovative program that promotes the importance of science literacy to thousands of students, their parents and teachers," said Rep. Hinojosa. "Through the involvement and support of corporations such as ExxonMobil, HESTEC has become a national model that has had a tremendous impact in improving students' attitudes toward careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."