[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 121 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 121

     Supporting the goals and ideals of the World Year of Physics.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              July 8, 2004

  Mr. Bingaman (for himself and Mr. Domenici) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                         and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Supporting the goals and ideals of the World Year of Physics.

Whereas throughout history, physics has contributed to knowledge, civilization, 
        and culture around the world;
Whereas physics research has been and continues to be a driving force for 
        scientific, technological, and economic development;
Whereas many emerging fields in science and technology, such as nanoscience, 
        information technology, and biotechnology, are substantially based on, 
        and derive many tools from, fundamental discoveries in physics and 
        physics applications;
Whereas physics will continue to play a vital role in addressing many 21st-
        century challenges relating to sustainable development, including 
        environmental conservation, clean sources of energy, public health, and 
        security;
Whereas Albert Einstein is a widely recognized scientific figure who contributed 
        enormously to the development of physics, beginning in 1905 with 
        Einstein's groundbreaking papers on the photoelectric effect, the size 
        of molecules, Brownian motion, and the theory of relativity that led to 
        Einstein's most famous equation, E = mc<SUP>2</SUP>;
Whereas 2005 will be the 100th anniversary of the publication of those 
        groundbreaking papers;
Whereas the General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied 
        Physics unanimously approved the proposition designating 2005 as the 
        World Year of Physics; and
Whereas the Department of Energy is the leading source of Federal support for 
        academic physics research, accounting for a majority of Federal funding 
        for physics: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of the World Year of 
        Physics, as designated by the General Assembly of the 
        International Union of Pure and Applied Physics;
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the World Year of Physics as a special occasion for giving 
        impetus to--
                    (A) education and research in physics; and
                    (B) the public's understanding of physics;
            (3) calls on the Secretary of Energy to lead and coordinate 
        Federal activities to commemorate the World Year of Physics;
            (4) encourages the Secretary, all science-related 
        organizations, the private sector, and the media to highlight 
        and give enhanced recognition to--
                    (A) the role of physics in social, cultural, and 
                economic development; and
                    (B) the positive impact and contributions of 
                physics to society; and
            (5) encourages the Secretary and all people involved in 
        physics education and research to take additional steps 
        (including strengthening existing and emerging fields of 
        physics research and promoting the understanding of physics) to 
        ensure that--
                    (A) support for physics continues; and
                    (B) physics studies at all levels continue to 
                attract an adequate number of students.
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