[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 108 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 108

Honoring the National Science Foundation for 50 years of service to the 
                                Nation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 25, 2001

 Mr. Smith of Michigan submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
             which was referred to the Committee on Science

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the National Science Foundation for 50 years of service to the 
                                Nation.

Whereas Congress created the National Science Foundation in 1950 to promote the 
        progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and 
        welfare, and to secure the national defense;
Whereas the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 was signed into law by 
        President Harry S. Truman on May 10, 1950;
Whereas the National Science Foundation strengthens the economy and improves the 
        quality of life in the United States as the Federal Government's only 
        agency dedicated to the support of education and fundamental research in 
        all scientific and engineering disciplines;
Whereas the National Science Foundation has worked continuously and successfully 
        to ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in discovery, 
        learning, and innovation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
Whereas the National Science Foundation has supported the research of more than 
        half of the United States Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, and 
        economics;
Whereas the National Science Foundation has been the lead Federal agency in a 
        number of national science initiatives, such as those in information 
        technology and nanotechnology;
Whereas the National Science Foundation funds almost 20,000 research and 
        education projects in science and engineering at over 2,000 colleges and 
        universities, elementary and secondary schools, nonprofit organizations, 
        and small businesses throughout our Nation;
Whereas the National Science Foundation's innovative education programs work to 
        ensure that every American student receives a solid foundation in 
        science, technology, and mathematics through support for the training 
        and education of teachers, the public, and students of all ages and 
        backgrounds, and by supporting research into new teaching tools, 
        curricula, and methodologies;
Whereas the programs funded by the National Science Foundation are an exemplary 
        demonstration of the value of scientific peer review in selecting the 
        most innovative and technically excellent research activities using a 
        network of over 50,000 scientists and engineers each year;
Whereas the National Science Foundation's international programs promote new 
        partnerships and cooperative projects between United States scientists 
        and engineers and their foreign colleagues, and such partnerships play a 
        key role in establishing and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties; 
        and
Whereas research supported by the National Science Foundation has led to 
        discoveries, technologies, and products which affect our daily lives, 
        including a greater understanding of bacteria, viruses, and the 
        structure of DNA; medical diagnostic tools, such as Magnetic Resonance 
        Imaging (MRI); the Internet, web browsers, and fiber optics, which have 
        revolutionized global communication; polymer materials used in products 
        ranging from clothing to automobiles; Doppler radar used for accurate 
        weather forecasting; artificial skin that can help recovering burn 
        victims; economic research in game and decision theory which has led to 
        a greater understanding of economic cycles; and discoveries of new 
        planets, black holes, and insights into the nature of the universe: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the significance of the anniversary of the 
        founding of the National Science Foundation;
            (2) acknowledges the completion of 50 years of achievement 
        and service by the National Science Foundation to the United 
        States; and
            (3) reaffirms its commitment for the next 50 years to 
        support research, education, and technological advancement and 
        discovery through the National Science Foundation, the premier 
        scientific agency in the Federal Government.
                                 <all>