[Senate Hearing 117-]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2020
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U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
[Clerk's Note.--The subcommittee was unable to hold
hearings on nondepartmental witnesses. The statements and
letters of those submitting written testimony are as follows:]
Prepared Statement of the American Astronomical Society
nasa and the national science foundation
On behalf of the over 7,000 members of the American Astronomical
Society (AAS), thank you for the opportunity to submit outside witness
testimony regarding our funding priorities for NASA and the National
Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year 2020.
Before I get to fiscal year 2020, I would like to express our
sincere thanks for your subcommittee's incredibly strong support of the
astronomical sciences in prevous years. Our community of students,
scientists, engineers, and educators recognizes and appreciates your
steadfast support for key programs at NASA and the NSF enabling
worldclass research in astronomy, planetary science, and heliophysics.
These wise investments opened a completely new way of seeing the
universe, through gravitational waves. They made possible dramatic
discoveries, ranging from the composition of the surface of Mars to the
formation of distant planets circling other stars, to the siren call of
two black holes spiraling together to become one.
Regarding fiscal year 2020, we understand there are many competing
priorities and budgetary pressures, so we are advocating elsewhere for
both a new bipartisan agreement raising the non-defense discretionary
budget caps and strong 302(b) allocations for your subcommittee.
Assuming that another budget deal is reached, the AAS asks that your
fiscal year 2020 subcommittee bill include at least $9.0 billion for
NSF and at least $22.6 billion for NASA. I have included a more
detailed summary table at the end of this testimony.
As you may know, our community sets its ranked priorities for new
investment via a consensus-based ``decadal survey'' process,
commissioned by the agencies and carried out independently by the
National Academy of Sciences. AAS advocates for a balanced Federal
astronomical sciences portfolio that follows the guidance of the
decadal surveys, associated midterm reports, and other scientific
community inputs like senior, portfolio, and standing advisory
committee reviews. These guiding inputs paired with strong support from
Congress have allowed the U.S. to be the clear world leader in space
science research since the U.S. astronomy community pioneered the
decadal survey mechanism in the 1960s.
national science foundation (nsf)
The AAS joins the other 100+ organizations of the Coalition for
National Science Funding (CNSF) to urge you to prioritize the NSF for
what we recognize is an ambitious increase by providing a $9.0 billion
(+11 percent) investment in fiscal year 2020. The demand is real and
far exceeds this requested $1 billion increase. The NSF must deny the
equivalent of billions of dollars of support to excellent-rated,
research and education grant proposals every year. The most recent NSF-
wide solicitation of interest in mid-sized instrumentation identified
$3 billion in high impact projects in the $20-70 million range. Our
national research and development enterprise depends on a strong NSF
that is empowered to support bold, transformative science and prepare a
highly-skilled and diverse technical workforce. The U.S. should rise to
meet the challenge of an era of both immense scientific and technical
potential and unprecedented global competition.
In the space sciences, NSF plays a key complementary role to NASA.
NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST), in the Mathematical and
Physical Sciences Directorate (MPS), is the Federal steward of ground-
based astronomy in the U.S., and the Division of Atmospheric and
Geospace Science (AGS) in the Geosciences Directorate (GEO), supports
complementary studies of our Sun and its interaction with Earth. GEO
pioneered the innovative Cubesat program that supports training of
students and support for researchers at many smaller institutions
across the Nation. Ever-increasing grant pressure and growing costs of
building and operating the cutting-edge facilities befitting a global
leader persist in both divisions. We risk missing potential paradigm-
shifting scientific investigations from the widest possible research
community and settling for diminished returns on U.S. taxpayer
investment in both existing and future facilities.
The Astronomy and Geospace Portfolio Reviews acknowledged the
important science made possible by existing facilities such as the
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and the Green Bank Observatory in
West Virginia, but the reviews still recommended divestment of these
facilities because it was overly constrained by pessimistic budget
forecasts. With exception of a welcome infusion of one-time funds in
fiscal year 2018 (including Hurricane Maria emergency supplemental
funds), the overall budget situation for NSF astronomy was, and
remains, so dire as to risk future U.S. scientific leadership in
ground-based astronomy. In tandem, the significant reductions in
publicly-funded telescope time and data analysis deepens the divide
within the astronomical community between the ``haves'' at elite
institutions and the ``have-nots,'' reducing broad, diverse access to
the study of the universe.
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and Large Synoptic Survey
Telescope, soon to be completed, require operational support that, as
currently planned, will be carved out of the competed research grant
programs. Right now, the National Academies' Astronomy and Astrophysics
Decadal Survey (Astro2020) is considering what the next generation of
world-leading observatories should look like. These proposed world-
leading observatories cannot be built, let alone operated, with the
current NSF budget and approach to building and operating large
facilities. The dramatic--not incremental--leap in capability and
scientific understanding represented by these new machines, together
with a generation of scientists and engineers and their technological
achievements, stand to be lost without an ambitious recommitment to
NSF.
NSF is strongest when its research programs and education
programs--housed within both the Research and Related Activities (R&RA)
and Education and Human Resources (EHR) accounts--are strong and able
to engage a STEM workforce across diverse sectors and career stages.
NSF education programs provide opportunities for both students and
educators in a dedicated way that no other science agency does.
national aeronautics and space administration (nasa)
At NASA, as in previous years, the AAS requests support for a
balanced , world-leading scientific program guided by the decadal
surveys, consistent with past congressional appropriations and
authorizations. While we do not specify a number for NASA's STEM
Engagement office, we are totally opposed to the administration's
proposal to eliminate these important programs.
The divisions of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) engage in
discovery research across size and distance scales, from using local
laboratory measurements here on Earth to interpret information carried
by photons and particles, to collecting those photons and particles
with space-based telescopes and detectors on robotic vehicles.
Scientific exploration of space can lay the intellectual and technical
groundwork for the human exploration of space; the expansion of human
knowledge of phenomena in space and the search for life's origin,
evolution, distribution, and future in the universe are statutory
objectives for NASA.
Astrophysics Division: We ask that you reject the administration's
proposed 30 percent budget reduction that would devastate our Nation's
efforts to understand how the universe works, how we got here, and
whether we are alone. We request that your subcommittee continue to
support a strong astrophysics portfolio that grows by a steady 5
percent per year. An additional appropriation of $134 million would
also enable continued development of the next decade's Wide Field
Infrared Survey Telescope, WFIRST ($446 million; +43 percent), which is
building on the scientific legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope and
learning from the hard development and budgeting challenges of the
James Webb Space Telescope. New small and medium explorers will advance
through their early development stages in fiscal year 2020, and the
2019 Astrophysics Senior Review and two SOFIA reviews will ensure
efficient use and maximum scientific return from the fleet of existing
astrophysics assets in fiscal year 2020 and a strong appropriation. The
total Astrophysics Division request--including the planned increase for
WFIRST development on top of a 5 percent increase for the rest of the
program to ensure balance--is $1.37 billion (+15 percent).
Heliophysics Division: Consistent with past support from your
subcommittees, we ask that you provide continued robust funding in
support of the top-priority Heliophysics DRIVE initiative, to provide
critical support for early career scientists and for the development of
new technologies in anticipation of an increased cadence for Explorer
missions. Also, consistent with the provisions of the Senate's space
weather program, invest in space weather observations and forecasting
that advance research-to-operations and operations-to-research efforts.
Planetary Science Division: Thanks to Congress' strong commitment
to exploring the worlds of our Solar System, fiscal year 2020 is poised
to include the launch of the first stage of Mars Sample Return, the
Mars2020 Rover, and also reveal the rich scientific return of recent
planetary encounters--like New Horizons' flyby of MU69, OSIRIS-REx's
study of the asteroid Bennu, and InSight's examination of the Martian
interior. Now is not the time to undermine that progress, but rather
embolden it with steady growth in concert with the other scientific
divisions.
We request that funding for Planetary Science programs and missions
beyond the recommendations of the decadal survey continues--as Congress
did in fiscal year 2019--to be added above and beyond full support of
the rest of the work of the division (i.e., above and beyond our
request here) only if and when they are prioritized as part of a
balanced program in a future decadal survey. This list includes the
Lunar Exploration, Planetary Defense, and Europa Lander (recommended by
the Planetary midterm assessment to be reprioritized in the next
decadal).
JWST: The AAS community appreciates and welcomes rigorous
Congressional oversight over the JWST project. We share Congress'
``profound disappointment,'' as expressed in the fiscal year 2019 final
appropriations committee report, and we too lament the opportunity cost
to other NASA activities. We nevertheless hold not only that the
science of JWST will be worth the wait and cost when it starts
operating after its March 2021 launch, but also that NASA has our
confidence for mission success, given the findings and responses to the
recent Independent Review Board (IRB).
Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD): Finally, we are
concerned about the policy and accounting implications of the
administration's Moon-Mars initiative for the critical role that the
STMD plays in projects across all the science divisions. Of immediate
concern is the apparent disappearance of STMD's significant promised
contribution to the coronograph development for the WFIRST mission.
SUMMARY TABLE
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2019 2020 Pres 2020 AAS Ask--2019 Ask--2019
Agency/Program ($B) Enacted Bud Ask ($) (%)
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NSF............................................ 8.08 7.07 9.00 +0.92 +11
EPSCoR..................................... 0.18 0.15 0.20 +0.02 +11
NASA........................................... 21.50 21.02 22.58 +1.08 +5
Science.................................... 6.91 6.30 7.50 +0.59 +8
Astrophysics........................... 1.19 0.84 1.37 +0.18 +15
JWST................................... 0.30 0.35 0.35 +0.05 +17
Planetary.............................. 2.76 2.62 2.90 +0.14 +5
Heliophyiscs........................... 0.72 0.70 0.76 +0.04 +5
Space Technology........................... 0.93 1.01 0.97 +0.04 +6
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[This statement was submitted by Dr. Megan Donahue, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Bar Association
legal services corporation
Request: Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Subcommittee
Members, I am Bob Carlson, President of the American Bar Association
(ABA) and a shareholder with the Butte, Montana, law firm of Corette
Black Carlson & Mickelson, P.C. I submit this statement today on behalf
of approximately 400,000 members of the ABA. The ABA has long been
committed to ``Equal Justice Under Law'' in our country, establishing
our Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants in 1920.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, while serving as ABA
President in 1964, understood the need for equal justice and became a
key, early supporter of Federal legal aid before President Nixon signed
the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Act into law in 1974. The LSC has
requested $593 million for fiscal year 2020 funding and the ABA fully
supports that request. LSC intends to allocate this increased funding
amount entirely to basic field grants so that LSC's grantees can assist
with 55 percent more civil legal problems than they currently serve.
2017 Justice Gap Study: The basis for the $593 million request is
the 2017 Justice Gap Report. If approved, this requested budget would
put the LSC on a better trajectory to achieve the pledge of justice for
all.
In June 2017, the University of Chicago's NORC provided analysis
regarding the unmet civil legal needs of indigent Americans. The survey
of more than 2,000 adults living in low-income households (at or below
125 percent of the Federal Poverty Level) updated two previous reports.
The report states, ``Eighty-six percent of the civil legal problems
faced by low-income Americans in a given year receive inadequate or no
legal help.'' Specifically, LSC Board Chair John G. Levi pointed out:
``Low-income seniors, for example, received inadequate or no
professional help for 87 percent of their civil legal problems. For
low-income rural residents, the number was 86 percent, while for low-
income veterans or other military personnel, the number was 88
percent.''
Disaster Funding Request: The ABA also supports LSC's supplemental
disaster appropriations requests. The $15 million provided in H.R. 268
is much appreciated. LSC has now requested additional funding of
$500,000 above the $15 million appropriation due to subsequent
disasters. We hope the committee will keep a close eye on 2019
disasters and will provide needed supplemental funds for LSC disaster
legal services again this year.
Additionally, we appreciate the subcommittee's removal of funding
restrictions for the disaster money. This removal will enable more
direct, immediate aid to those suffering from disasters.
LSC Disaster Task Force: On March 13, 2018, at a Capitol Hill
briefing, LSC Board Chair John Levi announced a Disaster Task Force
comprising LSC grantees, business leaders, emergency management experts
and other stakeholders to take a more comprehensive approach to its
disaster work to increase its impact nationwide. The task force aims to
provide a report with recommendations, a grantee's guide for continuity
of operations planning (COOP), and a toolkit for grantees that builds
on the disaster preparedness and response work of LSC's Midwest Legal
Disaster Coordination Project. The toolkit will include: (1) templates
for education materials about civil legal aid assisting disaster
survivors; (2) training materials specifically for volunteer attorneys
that cover the most common legal issues faced by disaster survivors;
(3) instructions for creating a disaster relief and response hotline
and online application; (4) access to preparedness go-kit checklists
for the user to fill out ahead of a disaster; and (5) a guide for
developing mobile-optimized disaster websites.
Stafford Act & FEMA's National Response Framework: The Federal
Government is integrally involved in Presidentially-declared disasters
and has a crucial role in Federal justice for all--which should not be
passed on to the States, Tribes, and localities as an unfunded mandate.
When the President declares a national disaster, the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.
Sec. 5143(b), Public Law 93-288, as amended (Stafford Act), creates the
mandate to ``assist local citizens and public officials in promptly
obtaining assistance to which they are entitled.'' Furthermore, the
Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5143(b) states:
Whenever the President determines that low-income individuals
are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their
needs as a consequence of a major disaster, consistent with the
goals of the programs authorized by this Act, the President
shall ensure that such programs are conducted with the advice
and assistance of appropriate Federal agencies and State and
local bar associations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) organizes disaster
response and recovery efforts through the National Response Framework
(NRF). The NRF is a guide that describes specific authorities and best
practices for managing incidents and outlines several coordinating
structures-the most pertinent to legal aid providers are the Emergency
Support Functions (ESFs). The Federal ESFs are the primary Federal
coordinating structures for building, sustaining, and delivering the
response core capabilities. There are 15 ESFs in total.
Pages 2, 8, 11, and 18 of ESF #6: Mass Care, Emergency Assistance,
Temporary Housing, and Human Services (https://www.fema.gov/media-
library-data/1470149820826-7bcf80b5dbabe158953058a6b5108e98/
ESF_6_MassCare_
20160705_508.pdf) direct the provision of civil legal services.
ABA & LSC in the National Response Framework: ESF #6 indicates on
page 18 that this Federal mandate to provide disaster legal services is
carried out through the ABA's Young Lawyers Division (YLD):
American Bar Association (ABA) Through the ABA's Young Lawyers
Program, provides free disaster legal services for low-income
individuals who, before or because of the disaster, are unable
to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-
related needs.
To this end, FEMA and the ABA originally executed a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) in December 1972 and renewed it in 2007. The YLD's
Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program fulfills this MOA during
disasters. The DLS Program coordinates the pro-bono legal efforts of
multiple State and local bar associations when activated by FEMA
following a natural disaster. LSC grantees working in the impacted
disaster area typically manage these efforts.
LSC maintains regular communication with the American Red Cross and
FEMA to coordinate a response, convening regular national Legal Aid
Disaster Network calls, and sponsoring the National Disaster Legal Aid
website, www.disasterlegalaid.org. LSC grantees thus provide critical
resources to manage disaster response efforts effectively and
efficiently in accordance with the terms of the FEMA/ABA YLD agreement
and the Stafford Act's Federal mandate. Funding for this Federal
mandate cannot be passed onto States, Tribes, and localities.
Disaster Legal Work: Disasters have a severe and disproportionate
impact on the poor, resulting in a sharp increase in the need for legal
help. The ABA statistic on disaster declarations in each state can be
found on the infographics on the ABA website at https://
www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/
LSC%20Infographic_Senate-1.pdf. LSC describes the disaster work of
their grantees in these districts as follows:
In the immediate wake of a disaster or crisis, disaster-related
legal issues follow a common pattern. Survivors often need help
obtaining copies of important documents such as birth
certificates, driver's licenses, and Social Security cards to
apply for or restore benefits and supports. The need for
adequate housing is generally a major issue for survivors of
most disasters. In addition, low-income and other vulnerable
people who need housing after an emergency are more susceptible
to scams and price gouging. With families experiencing even
more stressors than before, there is also an increase in the
need for more legal information on core areas of practice for
legal aid, such as public benefits, domestic violence
prevention, consumer law, and fraud prevention.
Opioids: In addition to LSC's new Disaster Task Force, on April 10,
2018, at LSC's quarterly board of directors meeting, LSC Chair John
Levi announced a new LSC Opioid Task Force, co-chaired by LSC Board
Members Victor Maddox and former ABA President Robert Grey, and
comprising LSC leaders, grantees, healthcare and social services
experts, and stakeholders.
The task force addresses and educates the public about the legal
issues raised by the opioid crisis in areas such as healthcare, family
law, domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and housing.
In Harrison County, West Virginia, for example, an advocate reports
that she primarily sees grandparents raising grandchildren, who are
often informally placed in their care due to neglect by the addicted
parents. ``Grandparents aren't really aware of the kinds of benefits
that can come from establishing formal legal custody in court,''
Courtney Crowder told the Exponent Telegram. ``Medical treatment and
school enrollment are two barriers that come with not having legal
custody of a child. As well, grandparents can receive benefits through
the Department of Health and Human Resources. That can be really
helpful for grandparents, especially those who are living on a fixed
income and probably didn't plan on raising three extra kids,'' Crowder
said.
The ABA developed a statistic on opioid deaths in each state that
can be found on the infographics on the ABA website at https://
www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/
LSC%20Infographic_Senate-1.pdf. With the opioid crisis placing heavy
new burdens on legal aid, a funding increase is critical.
Additional Considerations: Beyond Federal responsibilities
regarding the costs that natural disasters and the opioid crisis impose
upon LSC grantees, four other points should be considered for LSC
funding: (1) The cuts in LSC funding vis-a-vis historic levels; (2) The
demonstrated cost-benefit value of legal aid; (3) The role of legal aid
referrals from Federal constituent services representatives; and (4)
The popularity of legal aid in America.
1. Funding for LSC is Down 43 Percent Since the 1980s: I want to
thank this subcommittee for the partial restoration of funding for LSC
in fiscal year 2019. That money will permit LSC to serve more needy
clients. Nevertheless, the fiscal year 2019 LSC appropriation of $415
million is still 18 percent lower than it was in fiscal year 2010. The
fiscal year 2010 appropriation would be $489.5 million in 2019 dollars.
The fiscal year 2019 funding is down 43 percent from LSC's average
appropriation of $728,107,080 in 2019 dollars during the 1980s. At the
same time, the number of people qualifying for assistance is over 10
percent higher than it was in 2007. LSC funding needs restoration in
these good economic times when unemployment is low, and the stock
market is high. The ABA fully supports LSC's request to restore its
funding to $593 million in fiscal year 2020, although that still will
not meet the total need.
2. Cost-Benefit: The American Bar Association collects dozens of
statewide studies of the cost-benefit impact of legal aid. All studies
show a big positive impact: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/
legal_aid_indigent_defendants/
resource_center_for_access_to_justice/atj-commissions/
atj_commission_self-assessment_materials1/studies/.
For example, Community Services Analysis LLC published a 2018
report regarding the return on investment of civil legal aid services
in the State of Louisiana. The report reveals that, ``For every $1
invested in Louisiana Legal Aid during the year 2018, the citizens of
Louisiana receive $9.13 of immediate and long-term financial
benefits.''
3. Constituent Service: Civil legal aid is a constituent service
performed in every State and congressional district in the country,
complementary to and often by referral from your own constituent
services staff. Key beneficiaries of legal aid services include: (1)
Veterans; (2) Older Americans; (3) Rural Americans; (4) Domestic
violence survivors; (5) Women, constituting 71.5 percent of clients;
(6) Opioid victims, and (7) Natural-disaster victims.
4. Polling: 82 percent of those surveyed believe it is important
to ensure everyone has access to civil legal help or representation,
according to polling by Voices for Civil Justice: https://
voicesforciviljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/Lake-Tarrance-Expanding-
civil-legal-aid-2013.pptx3.pdf.
Conclusion: As the economy recovers, LSC funding should also
recover. Down 43 percent from the 1980s average appropriation, down 18
percent from fiscal year 2010 (in 2019 dollars), and with over 10
percent more people qualifying for legal aid, the ABA fully supports
the LSC funding request for restoration to $593 million. Given LSC's
excellent benefit/cost ratio and that 82 percent of LSC's funding
supports access to civil legal help, we encourage you to heed
constituents' views and support access to equal justice under law.
[This statement was submitted by Bob Carlson, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Educational Research Association
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
subcommittee; thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony
on behalf of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). I
want to begin by recognizing your longstanding support for the National
Science Foundation and thank you and your staff for your strong
commitment to maintaining agency flexibility to fund cutting edge
science. AERA recommends that the National Science Foundation (NSF)
receive $9 billion in fiscal year 2020. This recommendation is
consistent with that of the Coalition for National Science Funding
(CNSF), in which AERA is a long-term active member. Furthermore, this
request aligns with the dear colleague letter led by Senator Markey.
AERA also recommends funding the Census Bureau at $8.45 billion,
including at least $7.581 billion in direct funding for 2020 Decennial
Census operations, consistent with the recommendation of The Census
Project.
AERA is the major national scientific association of 25,000
faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other distinguished
professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge about education,
encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education, and promoting the
use of research to serve public good. Many of our members are engaged
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education
research. Our members work in a range of settings from universities and
other academic institutions to research institutes, Federal and State
agencies, school systems, testing companies, and nonprofit
organizations engaged in conducting research in all areas of education
and learning from early childhood through the workforce. Given the
expertise of the AERA membership, my testimony will focus on the
importance of the Education and Human Resources (EHR) and the Social,
Behavioral and Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorates. Many of our
members depend on an accurate Census count and data available from the
American Community Survey to do their work.
The EHR and SBE Directorates are central to the mission of the
National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance fundamental knowledge and
scientific breakthroughs and to ensure significant continuing advances
across science, engineering, and education. Research and science
supported by these directorates are intertwined with science and
research of the other Directorates (for example, Computer and
Information Science and Engineering). Furthermore, the EHR and SBE
directorates are vital not just to producing essential knowledge and
innovative methodologies but also to preparing our students and
citizens to use new technologies and harness knowledge to enhance
productivity, safety, security, and social economic well-being.
As indicated in the agency's budget request for fiscal year 2020,
95 percent of appropriated funds directly supported research and
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education
through grants and contracts in fiscal year 2018, with 77 percent of
funding supporting research at colleges and universities. In addition,
nearly 200,000 K-12 students benefitted from programs that directly
engage them in STEM experiences within and outside the classroom.
education and human resources directorate
The EHR Directorate at NSF is responsible for providing the
research foundation necessary to achieve excellence in U.S. STEM
education. EHR accomplishes this goal by supporting the development of
a scientifically-literate citizenry as well as a STEM-skilled
workforce. As stated in the NSF Strategic Plan 2018-2022: ``NSF's
investments in basic research on how peoples learn, in the traditional
period stretching from pre-kindergarten to college as well as
continually throughout life, will be crucial to the advances in U.S.
education needed to ensure that the Nation thrives in a rapidly
evolving 21st century world.''
The EHR Directorate supports STEM education and education research
from early childhood learning to doctoral work and beyond and promotes
evidence-based innovations in teaching practices, instructional tools,
and programs that advance STEM education and prepare the next
generation of STEM professionals. EHR funded researchers are asking key
questions, for example, about how to spark students' interest in math
and science and keep them engaged, or about why so many students lose
interest and confidence and about what can be done to keep them
engaged. Understanding these and many other questions will help the
United States build a well-educated and technology-literate workforce
necessary for a prosperous economic future.
social, behavioral and economic sciences directorate
In addition to the significant investments in education sciences
provided by EHR, AERA values the important role the SBE Directorate in
funding important education research and in social, family, and peer
contexts connected to learning. The SBE Directorate also houses the
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).
The SBE Directorate supports research to better understand people
and reveals basic aspects of human behavior in the context of education
and learning. SBE funded research adds fundamental knowledge essential
to promoting the Nation's economy, security, and global leadership.
Understanding social organizations and how social, economic, and
cultural forces influence the lives of students is key to improving
teaching and learning and advancing STEM education.
The budget for SBE is not even 4 percent of the NSF budget, yet it
provided approximately 62 percent of the Federal funding for basic
research in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences at academic
institutions in fiscal year 2018.
national center for science and engineering statistics (ncses)
In addition, AERA has a strong interest in the National Center for
Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within SBE. As one of the
Federal principal statistical agencies, NCSES provides invaluable
statistical information about the science and engineering
infrastructure and workforce in the U.S. and around the world. NCSES
collects and analyzes data on the progress of STEM education and the
research and development, providing valuable information on the
trajectories of STEM graduates both in STEM and non-STEM careers.
Adequate funding in fiscal year 2020 for NCSES would support critical
activities to develop new data techniques building on administrative
data and enhance data tools, techniques, and visualizations to
facilitate access to statistical resources.
As you know, the public strongly supports a Federal investment in
science. According to a report issued by the American Academy of Arts &
Sciences, 71 percent of U.S. adults said that government investments in
basic scientific research pay off in the long run. When asked about
priorities for scientific research, 56 percent of respondents consider
improving education and how our children learn to be an urgent
priority. (American Academy of Arts and Science, Perceptions of Science
in America 2018.)
On behalf of AERA, I thank both the Chairman and the Ranking Member
for your ongoing recognition of the importance of providing NSF with
the flexibility to determine directorate funding levels within the
Research and Related Activities Account. AERA shares the opinion of
Director Cordova, that this flexibility enables NSF to best ``build a
portfolio of the most exciting research across all fields.''
In addition to my attention in this testimony to the National
Science Foundation, I also wish to emphasize the importance of adequate
support for the Census Bureau, especially critical with the ramp up to
the administration of the 2020 Decennial Census. AERA recommends
funding the Census Bureau at $8.45 billion, including at least $7.581
billion in direct funding for 2020 Decennial Census operations. Even
with the much-needed resources provided in the final fiscal year 2019
appropriations bill to plan for the 2020 Census, funding for the Bureau
remains below the levels required to appropriately prepare for the
decennial census. Adequate support for the Census Bureau will enable
the necessary technology, methodologies, and staff for the rollout of
the decennial census to ensure an accurate count of the U.S.
population. The recommended funding support will also allow the Census
Bureau to continue to conduct the American Community Survey and the
Current Population Survey.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony in
support of $9 billion for the National Science Foundation and sharing
our particular interest in the Education and Human Resources
Directorate and the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic
Sciences in fiscal year 2020. AERA would welcome the opportunity to
work with you and your subcommittee to best further the crucial
advances of the National Science Foundation. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if AERA can provide additional information regarding this
budget proposal or the significant science made possible through NSF
support.
[This statement was submitted by Felice J. Levine, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a non-profit, non-partisan
scientific society whose mission is to promote discovery in the Earth
and space sciences for the benefit of humanity., appreciates the
opportunity to submit testimony regarding the fiscal year 2020 budget
request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the
National Science Foundation (NSF). The AGU, on behalf of its 60,000
Earth and space scientist members, respectfully requests that the 116th
Congress appropriate:
--$22.575 billion overall for NASA, including:
--$7.5 billion for the Science Mission Directorate,
--$2.097 billion for Earth Science,
--$2.995 billion for Planetary Science,
--$782 million for Heliophysics;
--at least $6.2 billion overall for NOAA; and
--$9 billion for NSF.
national aeronautics & space administration
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $22.575 billion for NASA in
fiscal year 2020--a 5 percent increase above the amount provided in
fiscal year 2019. This increase will ensure that NASA is able to
continue its work and preserve U.S. leadership in Earth and space
science and exploration. Additionally, AGU requests that Congress
appropriate $7.5 billion for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, an 8.6
percent increase over fiscal year 2019. A request of $7.5 billion will
allow NASA's Science Mission Directorate to advance the
Administration's plans and the agency's current program of record and
make critical progress towards achieving the scientific goals outlined
in the National Research Council Decadal Surveys.
Our requests for NASA's Earth Science, Planetary Science, and
Heliophysics missions mirror the requested 8.6 percent increase for the
Science Mission Directorate.
Earth Science and Planetary Science Divisions
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $2.1 billion for Earth
Science in fiscal year 2020. More than a third of the U.S. economy is
affected by climate, weather, and natural hazards. Missions within
NASA's Earth Science Division give us greater insight into how our
Earth is changing on daily and long-term scales in terms of weather,
climate, air quality, water availability, soil nutrients, and other
resources. NASA Earth Science produces critical information and data
that public and private sector decision-makers, such as farmers, the
military, retailers, and emergency managers, can use to mitigate the
risks and understand the opportunities of the Earth's changes.
A particularly crucial source of Earth science data is our current
fleet of Earth observation satellites. Robust funding for Earth Science
will allow for the continuation of the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and
Ecosystem (PACE) and the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity
Observatory Pathfinder (CLARREO Pathfinder) missions, and for the
implementation of the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey recommendation
to competitively select future missions that address Designated and
Earth System Explorer target observables. Competitively selected
missions will help to constrain costs and resources, while
simultaneously helping to leverage the talents of a broad array of
scientists and universities. The Earth System Explorer missions will
provide needed insight into sea level rise, changes to ozone
concentrations, and the sources and sinks of CO2 and methane, among
other research areas.
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $2.995 billion for Planetary
Science in fiscal year 2020. NASA's Planetary Science Division is
helping to expand our understanding of the universe, approximately 90
percent of which is still not well understood--even our own solar
system. The awe-inspiring missions and discoveries of the Planetary
Science Division inspire future generations of scientists and STEM
professionals to choose science as a career. With appropriate funding,
NASA can stay on schedule to launch the next Mars rover and a Europa
mission in the 2020s, furthering our understanding of the conditions
needed to sustain life. Additionally, robust funding for Planetary
Science will allow NASA to pursue the Administration's Moon to Mars
program without sacrificing other decadal priorities, including a
balanced portfolio of missions and exploration targets in our solar
system.
Earth and planetary sciences are complementary and integrally
related to one another. From picking the perfect day to launch a
satellite to ensuring that our understanding of other planets is
accurate, our knowledge of Earth informs our understanding of other
worlds in the solar system. In turn, our exploration of other worlds
advances our knowledge of Earth's evolution and processes.
Heliophysics Science Division
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $782 million for
Heliophysics in fiscal year 2020. Increased funding for NASA's
Heliophysics Division will further our understanding of the Sun,
helping to mitigate the hazards that solar activity poses to the ground
and space-based platforms that strengthen our national security, as
well as our economic and scientific competitiveness. Increased funding
will support the new early career investigator program (ECIP), which is
critical to creating the next generation of heliophysics scientists.
This program is part of the Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture,
Educate (DRIVE) initiative, the top priority of the Decadal Survey.
Increased investment in DRIVE will enable novel technologies for next
generation missions, help to create DRIVE Science Centers, and provide
researchers with the necessary tools and platforms to conduct cutting-
edge multidisciplinary research.
Robust funding for NASA's Heliophysics division will also advance
implementation of the agency's 2-year cadence of small and mid-size
missions, which often accomplish scientific goals for a fraction of the
cost of a flagship mission and allow heliophysics researchers to
participate and respond rapidly. These missions accelerate scientific
understanding while simultaneously developing the scientific workforce
through increased research opportunities for students and faculty.
NASA's Heliophysics Division advances our understanding of the
threat of space weather, as directed by the 2016 National Space Weather
Action Plan. The Division carries out activities related to basic
research into solar radiation and forecasting and studies ways to
mitigate the effects of big space weather events, which have can damage
our space- and ground-based national security assets, aviation systems,
power grid, and electric rail systems. Additional funding for space
weather research will support innovation in observational capabilities
and continue development of the Space Weather Science Applications
Project that advances research-to-operations, operations-to-research,
and computational aspects of space weather mitigation.
national oceanic & atmospheric administration
AGU requests that Congress appropriate at least $6.2 billion for
NOAA in fiscal year 20, a 14.3 percent increase over the fiscal year
2019 appropriated level for NOAA. Investing in NOAA not only keeps
communities around the Nation resilient in the face of natural hazards,
but also provides superior economic and national security services by
enabling businesses and governments to better manage risk.
The forecasts, infrastructure, and research provided by NOAA save
lives in time-sensitive emergencies. Flooding occurs in every county in
the U.S., and NOAA predicts that an estimated 200 million people are at
risk for flooding in their communities this spring, in addition to the
record flooding that has already occurred in Nebraska, Minnesota and
Iowa. Strong support for NOAA will allow the agency to continue
creating detailed flooding forecasts and developing monitoring systems
for the millions of Americans who do not currently have them; maintain
the NEXRAD radar system used for 85 percent of all tornado and severe
storm warnings; and continue the satellite rescue program that has
saved over 43,000 lives by locating aviators, mariners, and land-based
users in distress. In addition, continued and predictable support for
both geostationary and polar orbiting satellites such as the GOES
series and JPSS will ensure that we are equipped to collect data that
is high quality and reliable. Finally, the continuation of
uninterrupted data through programs such as the Polar Follow On, which
serves as the next phase for the JPSS satellites, plays a critical role
in keeping American families safe by ensuring that forecasters and
decision makers have the best available data to assess risk.
NOAA is also essential to our Nation's economic stability. From
coast to coast, one third of U.S. GDP is affected by weather and the
environment. In 2018 alone, the U.S. saw 12 major weather and climate
disaster events that resulted in $91 billion in damages. For example,
losses from weather-related aviation delays alone are estimated at more
than $1 billion per year, and NOAA drought forecasts are worth up to $8
billion per year to the farming, transportation, tourism, and energy
sectors. From large corporations to small businesses, the decision-
based forecasts provided by NOAA save vital time, money, and resources.
NOAA also plays a unique and vital role in supporting homeland
security and national defense. The Pentagon reports that flooding,
drought, and wildfires driven by climate change pose a threat to two-
thirds of the U.S. military's installations and expects climate change
worldwide to cause more extreme weather, food scarcity, and mass
migration, which leads to instability. The Pentagon classifies climate
change as threat multiplier, and in order to combat these issues, we
need the best science available. Without robust funding, we risk losing
the data needed to make informed and proactive decisions, and our
national security will be left in a dangerously vulnerable position.
national science foundation
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $9 billion for NSF in fiscal
year 2020, an almost 11.5 percent increase over the fiscal year 2019
appropriated level for NSF. Ambitious and robust funding for NSF is
critical if the U.S. hopes to maintain its leadership in science and
technology and reap the economic and national security benefits of that
leadership. According to the most recent OCED report, China will
surpass the United States in total R&D funding from all sources in
2019. NSF accounts for only 4 percent of Federal R&D spending but
supports nearly 60 percent of the nonmedical basic research at our
colleges and universities. Research and education programs supported by
NSF help increase and develop the knowledge base needed to push the
frontiers of science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines,
contribute to the development of the future science and technology
workforce, underpin new fields of inquiry, and promote
interdisciplinary research and education.
Increased funding for NSF will allow the agency to pursue its Ten
Big Ideas, including growing Convergence Research and the Inclusion
Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented
Discovers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) program. These two
programs will promote transformational science, the first by creating a
platform for the integration of multiple science and engineering
disciplines to address extremely challenging and complex scientific
questions and pressing societal needs; and the second by creating a
capable and innovative workforce that reflects the diversity of our
Nation.
[This statement was submitted by Lexi Shultz, Vice President,
Public Affairs and Brittany Webster, Program Manager, Public Affairs.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
On behalf of the Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs),
which collectively are the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
(AIHEC), we thank you for the opportunity to share our recommendations
regarding the National Science Foundation's TCU Program (NSF-TCUP),
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Minority University
Research and Education Program (NASA-MUREP).
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Education and Human Resources Directorate (EHR):
--Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP): TCUs urge the
subcommittee to fund competitively awarded NSF-TCUP grants at a
minimum of $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. This program also
awards grants to Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian
Serving Institutions.
--Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP): TCUs urge
the subcommittee to support NSF- LSAMP program with an added
emphasis for American Indian, Alaska Native, and TCU students.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
--NASA Headquarters, Office of Education--Minority University
Research and Education Programs (MUREP): TCUs urge the
subcommittee to continue the NASA MUREP program with robust
funding and support a TCU-specific program within MUREP at
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
Tribal Colleges and Universities: Training the Nation's Native STEM
Workforce.--TCUs are an essential component of American Indian/Alaska
Native (AI/AN) STEM education and research. Currently, 37 TCUs operate
more than 75 campuses and sites in 16 States. TCU geographic boundaries
encompass 80 percent of American Indian reservations and Federal Indian
trust lands. American Indian and Alaska Native TCU students represent
at least 233 of the 573 federally recognized Tribes and hail from more
than 30 States. Nearly 80 percent receive Federal financial aid. TCUs
serve over 160,000 American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other rural
residents each year through a wide variety of academic and community-
based programs. TCUs are public institutions accredited by independent,
regional accreditation agencies and, like all U.S. institutions of
higher education, must regularly undergo stringent performance reviews
to retain their accreditation status. Each TCU is committed to
improving the lives of its students through higher education and to
moving AI/ANs toward self-sufficiency. To do this, TCUs serve many
roles in their reservation communities functioning as career and
business centers, open access computer labs, STEM summer camps,
Saturday academies, community farms, economic development centers, GED
or HiSET training and testing centers, place-based applied research
hubs, and more.
The Federal Government, despite its direct trust responsibility and
binding treaty obligations, has never fully funded TCU institutional
operations as authorized under Federal law. Yet despite funding
challenges, TCUs are responding to the STEM workforce needs across the
country. For example, 16 TCUs have established nursing programs, 12
TCUs have established pre-engineering programs, one of which also
offers bachelor's degree programs in engineering, and seven TCUs have
established STEM teacher education programs through NSF-TCUP. These
efforts are preparing AI/AN nurses, engineers, and science and math
teachers who are collectively strengthening the STEM pipeline in Indian
Country. TCUs train other professionals in high-demand fields,
including agriculture and natural resources management and information
technology. By teaching the job skills most in demand on our
reservations, TCUs are laying a solid foundation for tribal economic
growth, with benefits for surrounding communities and the Nation as a
whole. But that is not enough. TCU leadership understands that we must
do more--we must move beyond simple workforce training. Today, TCUs are
tackling the tougher--and much more significant--issue of job creation,
because we know that to break the cycle of generational poverty and end
the culture of dependency that grips so much of Indian Country, simply
preparing students for a very limited labor market is not enough. We
must create new industries, new businesses, and build a culture of
self-sufficiency and innovation. Our job creation initiative focuses
initially on advanced manufacturing, through a partnership with the
U.S. Department of Energy, National Laboratories, TCUs, Tribes, and
industry.
national science foundation
Education and Human Resources Directorate (EHR)--Tribal Colleges
and Universities Program (TCUP): TCUs urge the subcommittee to fund
competitively awarded NSF-TCUP grants at a minimum of $16,000,000.--The
NSF-TCUP, administered by the Education and Human Resources
Directorate, is a competitive grant program that enables TCUs and
Alaska Native Serving/Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHs) to
develop and expand critically needed STEM education and research
programs relevant to their respective communities from Michigan to
Alaska and Hawaii. Through this program, TCUs and ANNHs have been
awarded grants to enhance their STEM instructional courses, workforce
development, research, and outreach programs.
AI/AN youth have the highest high school drop-out rate of any
ethnic or racial group in the country. Those who do pursue
postsecondary education often require developmental classes before
taking on a full load of college-level courses. Placement tests
administered at TCUs to first-time entering students in academic year
2017-18 show that 61 percent required remedial math. Our data indicates
that while 68 percent will successfully complete the course, many will
not have done so in 1 year. Without question, a large proportion of the
TCUs' already limited resources are dedicated to addressing the
continual failings of K-12 education systems.
Through NSF-TCUP grants, TCUs and ANNHs are actively working to
prevent this problem by developing strong partnerships with their K-12
feeder schools to engage students in culturally appropriate STEM
education and outreach programs. These efforts include weekend
academies and summer STEM camps that reinforce and supplement current
K-12 STEM programs.
NSF-TCUP provides crucial capacity-building assistance and
resources to TCUs and ANNHs. Since the program began, NSF-TCUP has
become the primary Federal program for building STEM programmatic and
research capacity at TCUs. For example, NSF-TCUP funding supported
Navajo Technical University (Crownpoint, NM) in the development of its
electrical and industrial engineering program, which received
accreditation from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and
Technology (ABET) in 2018. This marks a significant milestone, with NTU
leading the way as the first TCU to receive ABET accreditation. NTU
students will now be prepared to fill high demand STEM jobs that
require a degree from an ABET-accredited program.
Through NSF-TCUP, 12 TCUs have established engineering or pre-
engineering programs and are developing partnerships with larger
institutions that enable AI/AN students to seamlessly transfer to
graduate-level programs. The first graduate of United Tribes Technical
College's (Bismarck, ND) pre-engineering program, Jeremy McLeod (Turtle
Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians) is an example of how students,
tribal communities and States benefit from these partnerships. After
graduating from UTTC, Jeremy completed his baccalaureate degree in
civil engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Upon
graduation, he was employed with Knife River Corporation as a project
manager and is now a water resource engineer at the North Dakota State
Water Commission. He also serves as an advisory board member for the
pre-engineering program at UTTC.
Across Indian Country, TCUs provide students with the opportunity
to serve their communities through place-based research that has
national and international impacts. At Northwest Indian College (NWIC)
(Bellingham, WA), students conduct complex research related to food
security focused on salmon, shellfish, and Indigenous sea cucumbers.
NWIC also has a partnership with Western Washington University through
which students continue to master's degree programs. Aaniiih Nakoda
College (Harlem, MT) monitors streams for contaminants and investigates
West Nile virus vectors; and Sitting Bull College (SBC) (Fort Yates,
ND) has established a water quality monitoring laboratory serving the
Standing Rock Sioux and surrounding communities. Research at SBC shows
that students participating in research opportunities have retention
rates that are double the rate of students who are not engaged in
research.
Programs funded through the NSF-TCUP are highly leveraged and
successful. For example, students from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic
Institute (Albuquerque, NM) and NTU compete in NASA's national
``Swarmathon'' competition. For the past 3 years, the SIPI student team
received high awards, placing first in the Nation in 2017 and second in
2018. SIPI has achieved other successes of national note: NSF Science
and Engineering Indicators (2016) showed that of students graduating
with a science or engineering degree, AI/ANs comprised 0.3 percent, of
which 13 percent were female. In a time when engaging diverse
populations in higher education is a priority and retaining female
students in STEM fields is a challenge, the SIPI pre-engineering
program is doing something right. In 2017, SIPI's retention rate for
engineering students was 44 percent. Its retention rate for female
engineering students was 67 percent. SIPI's female students attribute
their success to several TCU-specific factors: caring faculty who set
expectations, sense of community, team research experiences, culturally
grounded place-based experiential learning, and unfailing student
support.
Despite its advances and successes, funding for the NSF-TCUP
program has been stagnant for many years. Therefore, not all of the
TCUs have had an opportunity to benefit from this very important
program. We urge the subcommittee to fund competitively awarded NSF-
TCUP grants at a minimum of $16,000,000.
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP): TCUs urge
the subcommittee to support the NSF LSAMP program with an added
emphasis for American Indian, Alaska Native, and TCU students.--In
fiscal year 2019, $46 million was appropriated for the LSAMP program to
support historically underrepresented students in STEM fields. However,
only one TCU was awarded direct funding under this program. The All
Nations LSAMP (ANLSAMP) program at Salish Kootenai College (Pablo, MT)
has had tremendous success in increasing AI/AN degree attainment in
STEM programs. Many small underfunded TCU STEM programs consider
ANLSAMP as the center for expanding AI/AN student research
opportunities, sharing best practices, and student support. Through the
combined efforts of the 34 ANLSAMP colleges and universities, more than
2,000 AI/ANs and under-resourced minority students have graduated with
bachelor's degrees in STEM. Additionally, a recent survey revealed that
more than 80 percent of ANLSAMP participants contacted had either
graduated with a STEM major or bridged to an advanced degree program.
Unfortunately, since the creation of the LSAMP program in 1991, NSF has
neglected to prioritize AI/AN-serving programs, such as ANLSAMP, which
are critically needed to support STEM degree attainment in Indian
Country.
In 2018, after several years of no funding for a TCU-led grant
proposal, $1 million was awarded through an LSAMP grant and supplement
to support TCU students over the next 5 years. However, it is alarming
that less than 1 percent of the total $46 million was awarded to TCUs
in fiscal year 2019. ($200,000 was provided in new funding, as a grant
supplement, to TCUs in fiscal year 2019.) We ask that the subcommittee
specifically urge NSF to strengthen support for AI/AN students through
the LSAMP grant program.
national aeronautics and space administration (nasa)
Office of Education/Minority University Research and Education
Programs (MUREP): TCUs urge the subcommittee to continue the NASA MUREP
program with robust funding and support a TCU specific program within
MUREP at $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.--Under the MUREP umbrella,
NASA has funded TCUs in various programs for the past several years at
a modest level. For example, in fiscal year 2014, NASA awarded $1.28
million to TCUs under MUREP, with total TCU support at $1.55 million.
In fiscal year 2015, NASA MUREP provided $2 million to TCUs, with total
TCU support of $2.53 million. In fiscal year 2016, TCU support was $1.7
million under MUREP and $2.7 million overall. With these modest funding
levels, NASA MUREP is only able to fund three TCUs each year, each of
which receives a 3-year award. In fiscal year 2017, the 3-year awards
went to SIPI to continue its engineering/robotics work, NWIC, and Chief
Dull Knife College (Lame Deer, MT).
Under a previous grant from NASA, SIPI students and local AI/AN
high school students engage in hands-on projects through which they
learn computer programming, computer networking, microprocessors,
sensor technology, 3D printing, and design engineering. The annual NASA
Swarmathon, funded by MUREP and mentioned previously, is an advanced
robotics competition in which students test their STEM skills by
writing complex robotic codes and building robots equipped with
sensors, webcams, and GPS systems. The STEM knowledge and analytical
skills needed to compete in Swarmathon are the same high-demand skills
needed to advance our space technology and future space exploration. We
are proud that the SIPI teams ranked in the top three nationally over
the past 4 years.
AIHEC strongly disagrees with the administration recommendation to
eliminate the MUREP program as proposed in the President's fiscal year
2018 and fiscal year 2019 Budget Requests. The NASA MUREP program
provides TCUs with resources to advance and build strong STEM programs
across Indian Country. TCUs urge the subcommittee to continue the NASA
MUREP program through robust funding and to support a Tribal College
and University-specific program within MUREP at $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 2020.
conclusion
Tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to high-quality,
culturally appropriate postsecondary education opportunities, including
STEM-focused programs, for thousands of AI/AN students. The modest
Federal investment in TCUs has paid great dividends in terms of
employment, education, and economic development. We ask you to renew
your commitment to help move our students and communities toward self-
sufficiency and request your full consideration of our fiscal year 2020
appropriations requests. Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Institute of Biological Sciences
national science foundation
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) appreciates
the opportunity to provide testimony in support of fiscal year 2020
appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). We encourage
Congress to provide NSF with at least $9 billion in fiscal year 2020.
AIBS is a scientific association dedicated to promoting informed
decisionmaking that advances biological research and education for the
benefit of science and society. AIBS works to ensure that the public,
legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to
information that can guide informed decisionmaking.
Biological research is in our national interest. Increasing our
knowledge of how genes, cells, tissues, organisms, and ecosystems
function is vitally important to efforts to improve the human
condition. Food security, medicine and public health, national
security, economic growth, and sound environmental management are
informed by the biological sciences. The knowledge gained from NSF-
funded research contributes to the development of new research tools
and industries.
Biological research strengthens our economy. The translation of
biological knowledge into formal and informal education programs
fosters the development of a scientifically and technically informed
workforce. NSF research programs are important engines powering our
Nation's economy. Over the past 50 years, roughly half of the economic
growth at private businesses in the United States has resulted from
advances in knowledge resulting from research and development. Research
funding from NSF has given rise to successful companies, such as
Genentech, Allylix, and Chromatin, as well as new industries that
provide more robust food crops or disease detection tools and
techniques. Additionally, data show that employers continue to seek
workers with scientific and technical skills. Since 1960, growth in
U.S. employment in science and engineering has outpaced growth in total
employment, increasing at an average rate of 3 percent per year.
The cornerstone of NSF excellence is a competitive, merit-based
review system that underpins the highest standards of excellence.
Through its research programs, NSF invests in the development of new
knowledge and tools that solve the most challenging problems facing
society.
--Combating emerging diseases: Long before Zika virus made headlines
in the United States, the NSF was supporting research to study
the environmental and social factors that put people at risk
from diseases carried by mosquitos, to understand the
physiology and life cycles of disease vectors, to model the
spread of mosquito-borne disease, and to understand the
evolution of insecticide resistance. Knowledge gained from this
work enabled public health officials to respond quickly when an
outbreak of Zika virus started in the U.S. in late 2015.
--Mobilizing big data: Access to and analysis of vast amounts of data
are driving innovation. The NSF enables integration of big data
across scientific disciplines, including applications in the
biological sciences. Digitization of natural science
collections involves multi-disciplinary teams, which have put
more than 95 million specimens and their associated data online
for use by researchers, educators, and the public.
--Enabling synthetic biology: DNA editing has become more advanced
and targeted with techniques such as CRISPR-CAS9 allowing
scientists to rewrite genetic code and redesign biological
systems. The NSF funds research on how these techniques can be
used to bio-manufacture new materials, treat diseases, and
accelerate the bioeconomy.
Other examples of research that have benefited the public are
chronicled in a recent AIBS report, ``Biological Innovation: Benefits
of Federal Investments in Biology,'' which is available at https://
www.aibs.org/public-policy/biological_
innovation_report.html.
The NSF supports recruitment and training of our next generation of
scientists. Support for science education for undergraduate and
graduate students is critically important to our research enterprise.
Students learn science by doing science, and NSF programs engage
students in the research process.
NSF awards reached 1,800 colleges, universities, and other public
and private institutions across the country in fiscal year 2018.
Initiatives such as the Graduate Research Fellowship and the Faculty
Early Career Development program are important parts of our national
effort to attract and retain the next generation of researchers. Since
1952, the number of students supported by NSF Graduate Research
Fellowships has grown to 57,700. Support for Graduate Research
Fellowships and CAREER grants would be cut by 10 percent compared to
fiscal year 2018 under the President's proposal, while the budget for
Faculty early career development programs would shrink by 13 percent.
Other programs, such as the NSF Research Traineeship and Postdoctoral
Research Fellowships in Biology, which provide opportunities to train
biologists in high priority areas like data-enabled science and
research using biological collections, are also facing budget cuts.
The NSF is an important supporter of biological research
infrastructure, such as field stations, natural history museums, and
living stock collections. These place-based research centers enable
studies that take place over long periods of time and diverse
geographic scales.
Federal R&D investments as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product
are declining. The U.S. is still the largest performer of R&D globally,
but its share of worldwide R&D has diminished over the past 15 years.
Other countries, especially China, are rapidly increasing their
investments in science. To fully realize the benefits of NSF-supported
research and to remain at the global forefront of innovation, the
government must make new and sustained investments in the NSF.
Unpredictable swings in funding can disrupt research programs, create
uncertainty in the research community, and stall the development of the
next great idea.
Funding rates have become ``dangerously low'' according to NSF.
When pre-proposals are considered, the funding rate for some program
areas within the Directorate for Biological Sciences are in the single
digits. The NSF is the primary Federal funding source for biological
research at our Nation's universities and colleges, providing 69
percent of extramural Federal support for non-medical, fundamental
biological and environmental research at academic institutions.
The President's budget request for fiscal year 2020 proposes a 12.5
percent cut to NSF, including a 13 percent reduction in its research
activities. If enacted, this budget will hurt research and undermine
our ability to address national challenges. Congress provided NSF with
$8.075 billion in funding for fiscal year 2019, an increase of 4
percent. This increase allows for critical Federal investments in
scientific and educational research as well as support for the
development of the scientific workforce. We encourage Congress to
continue supporting increased investments in our Nation's scientific
capacity.
Funding NSF at $9 billion in fiscal year 2020 is a step toward
responding to years of stagnant funding that have slowed discovery. The
requested funding enables NSF to accelerate progress on its 10 Big
Ideas. These are important new cutting-edge initiatives at the
frontiers of science and engineering. These include research programs
such as Understanding the Rules of Life (URoL), Navigating the New
Arctic (NNA), Growing Convergence Research (GCR), and Harnessing the
Data Revolution for 21st-Century Science and Engineering (HDR).
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for
your prior efforts on behalf of science and the National Science
Foundation.
[This statement was submitted by Jyotsna Pandey, Public Policy
Manager and Robert Gropp, Executive Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Library Association
On behalf of the American Library Association (ALA), I write to
respectfully request adequate funding for the U.S. Census Bureau to
conduct the 2020 Census, including funding for Integrated Partnership
and Communications activities and for Questionnaire Assistance Centers.
Census experts have raised concerns that the President's budget
proposal for fiscal year 2020 will be inadequate for the Census Bureau
to carry out its Constitutional obligation to count every person
residing in the United States.\1\
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\1\ See letter from The Census Project, et al., to the Senate and
House Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies, April 16, 2019, available at http://www.ala.org/
advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/Sign-ons/fy-2020-census-
project-sign-on-letter-pre-cjs-mark-up-4-16-19.pdf.
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If the Census Bureau does not have the resources necessary to do
its job, then states and communities across the country will lose
funding, representation, and information crucial to decisionmaking.
That loss of funding and representation will last for a decade--and the
loss of information will last forever.
integrated partnership and communications activities
We urge the subcommittee to provide adequate funding for Integrated
Partnership and Communications activities, which are essential to
achieving an efficient and accurate Census.
As the Census Bureau notes, in the upcoming fiscal year, ``The
formation of key national partnerships and the cultivation of hundreds
of thousands of other local relationships necessary to ensure the
Census Bureau can maximize self-response across all localities and
population groups will occur at peak levels of intensity.'' \2\
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\2\ U.S. Census Bureau, ``U.S. Census Bureau's Budget fiscal year
2020,'' March 2019, at CEN-95, available at https://www.commerce.gov/
sites/default/files/2019-03/fy2020_census_
congressional_budget_justification_0.pdf.
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ALA and libraries across the country will be among those partners
working to provide information to the public about responding to the
2020 Census. As a demonstration of this commitment, on April 1, 2019,
the president of the American Library Association spoke at the Census
Bureau's press briefing marking 1 year to Census Day.\3\ Adequate
funding for Integrated Partnership and Communications activities
ensures that partners will have the messages and materials to support
their communities in achieving a complete count.
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\3\ U.S. Census Bureau, ``Census Bureau Press Briefing Marks One
Year Out From Census Day,'' April 1, 2019, available at https://
www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019/one-year-out.html.
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questionnaire assistance centers
Similarly, it will be critical to provide sufficient funding for
Questionnaire Assistance Centers. In the fiscal year 2019 conference
report, Congress directed the Census Bureau to ``devote funding to . .
. open local questionnaire assistance centers in hard-to-count
communities'' in the 2020 Census.\4\ However, the Census Bureau's
fiscal year 2020 budget submission does not describe how the Bureau
will implement that direction or what additional resources are needed
in order to do so.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ H. Rept. 116-9 (2019), at 611.
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On March 19, 2019, ALA joined 90 stakeholder organizations in a
letter to the Census Bureau, expressing our view that ``a robust
program of Questionnaire Assistance Centers is crucial to provide an
effective on-the-ground presence for the 2020 Census in local
communities in order to raise public awareness, deliver trustworthy
information, and provide options for self-respondents to receive
questionnaire assistance.'' \5\
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\5\ Letter from 90 stakeholder organizations to Census Bureau
Director Dillingham, ``Questionnaire Assistance Centers for the 2020
Census--Stakeholder Recommendations,'' March 19, 2019, available at
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/
govinfo/Sign-ons/
Questionnaire%20Assistance%20Center%20recommendations%20031919%20%281%29
.pdf.
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With the reduced number of regional and area census offices in the
2020 Census, we expect that many people will turn to their local public
library for information about the Census. While libraries are preparing
in order to address the public's questions about the Census, they
cannot do so alone, and they should not have to. In fact, libraries
hosted more than 6,000 Questionnaire Assistance Centers and Be Counted
sites in the 2010 Census.\6\ We believe that libraries are ready to do
so again, if Congress and the Census Bureau commit the funding to
operate those sites.
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\6\ Geoff Jackson, Keith Wechter, and Susanna Winder, ``2010 Census
Be Counted and Questionnaire Assistance Centers Assessment,'' U.S.
Census Bureau (May 22, 2012), at 27, available at https://
www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2010/program-management/5-
review/cpex/2010-memo-194.pdf.
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On April 25, 2019, the Census Bureau provided a report to the
Appropriations Committees outlining its plan to implement the fiscal
year 2019 conference report language through a ``Mobile Response
Initiative''--essentially a new term for Questionnaire Assistance
Centers. We ask the subcommittee to provide the necessary funding and
direction to the Census Bureau to implement this plan at minimum.
However, important questions remain as to whether the plan will be
sufficient to provide needed assistance in hard-to-count communities.
We encourage the subcommittee to seek clarification of the Census
Bureau's plan and, if necessary, provide resources and direction to
enlarge the operation.
conclusion
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony regarding
appropriations for the U.S. Census Bureau in fiscal year 2020. We ask
for the subcommittee's support in providing adequate funding, including
for Integrated Partnership and Communications activities and for
Questionnaire Assistance Centers.
[This statement was submitted by Gavin Baker, Assistant Director,
Government Relations.]
The American Library Association (``ALA'') is the foremost national
organization providing resources to inspire library and information
professionals to transform their communities through essential programs
and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted
voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries,
advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing
learning and ensuring access to information for all.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Mathematical Society
national science foundation
The American Mathematical Society is a professional society, home
to approximately 30,000 individuals and over 500 institutional members.
The AMS has been serving the mathematical sciences community since
1888. The Society's programs and services for its members and the
global mathematical community include professional programs;
publications of books and journals; meetings and conferences; support
for young scholars programs; and tools for researchers such as
MathSciNet. The organization is headquartered in Providence, Rhode
Island, with a Government Relations Office in Washington, DC.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) appreciates the opportunity
to submit written testimony in support of fiscal year 2020
appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF).
We encourage Congress to provide the NSF with $9 billion in fiscal
year 2020.\1\
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\1\ This is the same amount supported by the Coalition for National
Science Funding.
The NSF is a key funding agency for the mathematical sciences. Most
mathematics research is done by Ph.D. mathematicians at universities
and colleges. The NSF accounts for approximately 64 percent of Federal
support for academic research in the mathematical sciences.
The NSF is the only Federal agency that supports research and
education across all fields of science, engineering, and mathematics
and at all educational levels. Research and education programs
supported through the NSF are essential for increasing and developing
the knowledge base needed for pushing the frontiers of science,
mathematics, and engineering disciplines; developing new fields of
inquiry; and supporting technological innovation. Support for the
scientific training of undergraduate and graduate students is
critically important to our research enterprise. Other NSF investments
in education support broadened participation in STEM fields and
development of the STEM workforce in demand by American employers.
The entire country benefits from NSF funding and Chairman Moran's
State can serve as an example.\2\
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\2\ https://cnsf.us/factsheets2017.cfm
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Kansas, an EPSCoR State,\3\ received $42 million in NSF funding in
fiscal year 2017. There were 138 NSF grants awarded to researchers in
Kansas. Funds go toward research--for example, researchers in the
Kansas State University Medical Component Design Laboratory used NSF
funding to develop supplemental sensors for ingestible-pill technology
that monitor the health of livestock, protecting against disease
outbreaks. Funds go toward STEM education--for example, The Noyce
Teacher-Leaders for Western Kansas project at Fort Hays State
University is developing STEM teachers for rural Kansas communities.
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\3\ EPSCoR enhances research competitiveness of targeted
jurisdictions (States, territories, commonwealth) by strengthening STEM
capacity and capability. For more information, see https://www.nsf.gov/
od/oia/programs/epscor/
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The NSF has funded mathematics research and education in Kansas:
--At Wichita State University, Professor Victor Isakov is making
groundbreaking changes in the way we make measurements in
biomedicine, economics, geophysics, and material science. In
particular, the results of his work will dramatically enhance
the quality of a cheap, fast, and safe diagnostic imaging
method called electrical impedance tomography.\4\
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\4\ https://nsf.gov/awardsearch/
showAward?AWD_ID=1514886&HistoricalAwards=false
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--Kansas State University is the site of an NSF-funded Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in mathematics.
Each summer, students from across the country come to Manhattan
where they are trained to become independent researchers while
working on problems in the important fields of network security
and biomathematics.
--Kansas State Professor Dave Auckly has funding to expand the Navajo
Nation Math Circles.\5\ This includes a mathematical visitor
program sending mathematicians to schools to work with students
and their teachers as well as inclusion of mathematics in
public festivals to increase community mathematical awareness.
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\5\ Navajo Nation Math Circles was featured in the documentary
``Navajo Math Circles,'' which aired nationwide in September 2016 on
the Public Broadcasting System.
Society has benefitted from the many products, procedures, and
methods that have resulted from NSF supported research in mathematics--
research performed over many years and typically not intended for
specific applications. These benefits include innovations such as the
Google Page Rank algorithm, enhancement of magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), and in cybersecurity. The plethora of applications that have
resulted from basic research in the mathematical sciences is described
in the National Academies report ``The Mathematical Sciences in 2025''
or in the executive summary ``Fueling Innovation and Discovery: The
Mathematical Sciences in the 21st Century''. \6,7\
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\6\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/15269/the-mathematical-sciences-in-
2025
\7\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13373/fueling-innovation-and-
discovery-the-mathematical-sciences-in-the-21st
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Strong and sustained investment will allow the NSF to continue to
support innovative and transformational scientific research that fuels
the American economy, strengthens national security, maintains our
global competitiveness, improves public health and the quality of life
for Americans, and contributes to the development of the next
generation of science, mathematics, and engineering researchers.
Our global competitors are making tremendous investments in
scientific research yet funding for research in the U.S. has only
increased incrementally. Because our national investment in basic
science research has been declining as a share of the Federal budget
for decades, we are losing our global edge. To compare, China has grown
its R&D spending rapidly since 2000, at an average of 18 percent
annually. During the same period, U.S. R&D spending grew by 4 percent
[per year].\8\
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\8\ https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsb20181/report
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While our competitors (and allies) are increasing support for
science research and education, the U.S. is failing to fund many
important projects. According to the National Science Board,
approximately $3.92 billion of cutting-edge research deemed ``very good
or higher'' in NSF's merit criteria was unfunded in fiscal year 2017.
A strong level of funding together with a predictable pattern of
funding will facilitate a robust stream of high-level research and
researchers that, in turn, will support the level of technological
development needed to remain globally competitive.
Thank you for your consideration of this request, and for your
prior efforts on behalf of the NSF.
[This statement was submitted by Jill Pipher, President and Karen
Saxe, Director of Government Relations.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Physiological Society
The American Physiological Society (APS) thanks you for your
sustained support of science at the NSF and NASA. In this statement we
offer our recommendations for fiscal year 2020 funding levels for these
two agencies.
--The APS urges you to fund the fiscal year 2020 NSF budget at a
level of at least $9 billion to prevent further erosion of
program capacity and allow researchers to take advantage of
scientific opportunities.
--The APS urges you to restore cuts to NASA's life sciences research
budgets and to increase funding for the Human Research Program.
NSF and NASA support scientific research and technology development
programs essential to the future technological excellence and economic
stability of the United States. Federal investment in this research is
critically important because breakthroughs in basic and translational
research provide the foundation for new technologies to fuel our
economy and make it possible for the United States to remain a global
leader in science, technology and engineering. According to the 2018
Science and Engineering Indicators, other countries including China
continue to increase basic research funding at a rate that outpaces the
growth of U.S. investments.\1\
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\1\ https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsb20181/report/sections/
overview/introduction
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSF funds outstanding research and education programs
NSF provides support for 25 percent of all federally funded basic
science and engineering as well as 69 percent of the support for non-
medical research in biology. NSF invests in basic biological research
across a broad spectrum of sub-disciplines along with as the equipment
and other infrastructure scientists need for their work. Time and time
again we have seen that knowledge gained through basic biological
research provides foundation for more applied studies that sustain the
health of animals, humans and ecosystems. Moreover, NSF-funded research
has led to countless new and unexpected discoveries that could not have
been envisioned when the research began. These unforeseen applications
have had enormous impacts on science, health and the world's economy.
The majority of the NSF funding is awarded in the form of grants
selected through competitive, merit-based peer review. Merit review
ensures that the best possible science is supported. Both the
scientific reviewers and NSF program staff consider not only the
intellectual merit of each research proposal, they also consider its
broader impacts. NSF's criteria for these broader impacts address the
potential for the research to benefit society or to achieve specific
outcomes. NSF has an exemplary record of funding research with far-
reaching potential. Since its inception in 1950, NSF has supported the
work of 236 Nobel Laureates, including the 2018 winners of the
Chemistry, Physics and Economics prizes.
Biological research is just one part of the NSF portfolio. The APS
believes that each of the NSF directorates support research that is
critical to NSF's mission ``to promote the progress of science; to
advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the
national defense. . .'' Collaboration among scientific disciplines is
increasingly recognized as the best and most efficient way to advance
science. This will only be possible with strong support for all
disciplines of research.
In addition to funding innovative research in labs around the
country, the NSF education programs foster the next generation of
scientists. The APS is proud to have partnered with NSF in programs to
provide training opportunities and career development activities to
enhance the participation of underrepresented minorities in science. We
believe that NSF is uniquely suited to foster science education
programs of the highest quality, and we recommend that Congress
continue to provide Federal funds for science education through the
NSF.
The APS joins the Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (FASEB) in recommending that the NSF be funded at a level of at
least $9 billion in fiscal year 2020.--The NSF budget has been flat in
real terms for approximately the last 15 years. When NSF Director Dr.
France Cordova testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee
on Commerce, Justice and Science on March 26, 2019, she stated that
each year the NSF receives approximately $4 billion worth of well-rated
proposals that the agency is unable to fund within its current budget.
Providing the agency with a significant budget increase would allow the
NSF to support approximately 1,000 additional research grants. The NSF
is poised to address major challenges facing our Nation and our world
in the 21st Century, but it needs adequate resources to continue to
carry out its mission.
Support for Life Sciences Research should be increased at NASA
NASA sponsors research across a broad range of the basic and
applied life sciences, including gravitational biology, biomedical
research and the Human Research Program (HRP). The gravitational
biology and biomedical research programs explore fundamental scientific
questions through research carried out both on Earth and aboard the
International Space Station, which provides an environment for the
conduct of experiments in space. NASA's HRP conducts focused research
and develops countermeasures with the goal of enabling safe and
productive human space exploration. The program funds more than 300
research grants that go to academic researchers in more than 30 States
around the country.
During prolonged space flight, the physiological changes that occur
due to weightlessness, increased exposure to radiation, confined living
quarters, and alterations in eating and sleeping patterns can lead to
debilitating conditions and reduced ability to perform tasks.
Scientists are actively engaged in research that explores the
physiological basis of these problems with the goal of contributing to
the identification of therapeutic targets and development of novel
countermeasures. One of the most well-known studies of these
physiological changes is the NASA Twin Study which compared identical
twins and fellow astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly to see what changes
occurred following Scott Kelly's 1 year mission aboard the
International Space Station.\2\ The knowledge gained from this research
is not only relevant to humans traveling in space, but is also directly
applicable to human health on Earth. For example, some of the muscle
and bone changes observed in astronauts after prolonged space flight
are similar to those seen in patients confined to bed rest during
periods of critical illness as well as during the process of aging.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-confirms-
preliminary-findings
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NASA is the only agency whose mission addresses the biomedical
challenges of human space exploration. Over the past several years, the
amount of money available for conducting this kind of research at NASA
has dwindled. In the past, appropriations legislation specified funding
levels for biomedical research and gravitational biology, but ongoing
internal reorganizations at NASA have made it difficult to understand
how much money is being spent on these programs from year to year. The
APS recommends that funding streams for these important fundamental
research programs be clearly identified and tracked within the NASA
budget. The APS also recommends restoration of cuts to peer-reviewed
life sciences research to allow NASA-funded scientists to conduct
research that will be critical in not only supporting the success of
future long-range manned space exploration but also leading to
innovative discoveries that can be applied to Earth-based medicine. As
highlighted above, investment in the basic sciences is critical to our
Nation's technological and economic future. This innovative engine of
research fuels our world leadership and our economy. The APS urges you
to make every effort to provide these agencies with increased funding
for fiscal year 2020.
The APS is a nonprofit devoted to fostering education, scientific
research and dissemination of information in the physiological
sciences. The Society was founded in 1887 with 28 members and now has
over 10,000 members, most of whom hold doctoral degrees in physiology,
medicine and/or other health professions.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and
professional organization of more than 118,000 psychologists and
affiliates. APA is the largest scientific and professional organization
representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest
association of psychologists. APA works to advance the creation,
communication, and application of psychological knowledge to benefit
society and improve people's lives.
national science foundation (nsf)
APA urges the Committee to fund the National Science Foundation
(NSF) at $9 billion in fiscal year 2020.
The Coalition for National Science Funding, an alliance of over 140
universities, businesses, and scientific associations also endorses
this level of support for NSF, the only Federal research agency
``charged with the promotion of scientific progress across all
scientific and engineering disciplines'' and one that is vital to U.S.
economic health, educational achievement, global competitiveness, and
national security.
Support Core Psychological Research at NSF
NSF is the only Federal agency whose primary mission is to support
basic research and education in math, engineering and science--
including the behavioral and social sciences. NSF's investment in basic
research across these disciplines has allowed for extraordinary
scientific and technological progress, ensuring continued economic
growth, improvements in the design, implementation and evaluation of
public education, strengthened national security, and the generation of
cutting-edge new knowledge.
Although psychologists receive funding from various programs within
NSF, most core psychological research is supported by the Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE), which focuses on
the variables that determine human behavior across all ages,
interactions among individuals and groups, and the development of
social and economic systems. In addition to core behavioral research in
cognitive neuroscience, human cognition and perception, learning and
development, and social psychology, SBE will continue to invest funds
to participate in special initiatives and cross-directorate programs
that address vital national priorities.
The Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO) at NSF also provides
support for research psychologists who ask questions about the
principles and mechanisms that govern life at the level of the genome
and cell, or at the level of a whole individual, family or species. In
previous testimony, APA has expressed concern about diminishing support
for key behavioral research programs within this Directorate, most
notably those focused on learning and cognition.
The Computer and Information Science Engineering Directorate (CISE)
is of particular importance given the emphasis from both Congress and
the administration on emerging technology, artificial intelligence
(AI), and autonomous vehicles. Psychology has an essential place within
each of CISE's divisions. Regardless of the technology, human behavior
plays an essential role in its design and implementation. NSF should
receive support to allow full investment into the ambitious work
proposed by NSF's 10 Big Ideas in addition to, and not in replacement
of, the core research programs being done within the directorates.
Counter Specific Threats to Basic Science, NSF Merit Review, and the
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Addressing questions about human behavior is as critical to our
Nation's survival and well-being in a global context. Alongside APA,
scientific and industry leaders, both private and public, continue to
urge members of Congress to strongly support all individual scientific
disciplines and NSF Directorates, and to avoid attacking individual,
peer-reviewed grants funding behavioral and social science projects
(including those of psychologists). Basic research, by nature, is aimed
at increasing our body of knowledge to address both known and unknown
challenges today and in the future. For example, basic psychological
research today is essential for the continued development of AI, self-
driving vehicles, and other emerging technologies. Failing to support
basic research, including behavioral and social science, today
undermines our ability to confront the unforeseen challenges and
opportunities of tomorrow.
department of justice (doj)
APA is deeply committed to reforming the criminal justice system,
supporting those with mental illness within the system, meeting the
needs of victims of violence, and ensuring that the best scientific
evidence is funded and used to improve programs and policies.
Support Evidence-Based Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Activities
APA specifically requests that the Committee provide:
--$85 million for the Second Chance Act including $5 million to
support Children of Incarcerated Parents demonstration grants;
--$25 million for Justice Reinvestment;
--$94.5 million for Research, Evaluation, and Statistics within the
National Institute of Justice.
--$80 million for Title II funding to states to promote delinquency
prevention;
--$96 million for Title V delinquency prevention funding at the local
level; and
--$30 million for supports for court-involved youth, including
behavioral health screening and assessment and alternatives to
detention.
APA strongly supports continued efforts in Congress to reform the
Federal criminal justice system. Most incarcerated individuals return
from jail or prison to their communities; yet, an estimated 77 percent
of former prisoners are rearrested within 5 years of release. This
represents a systemic failure that Congress has taken initial steps to
address by enacting the First Step Act. fiscal year 2020 appropriations
for DOJ represent another avenue to reduce the burden of crime and
incarceration on families and communities. APA urges the Committee to
adopt a reform-minded approach in appropriations for the Bureau of
Prisons and Office of Justice Programs.
APA also urges the Committee to adequately fund OJP to support
state and local justice reforms. Several states have provided
leadership in reducing unnecessary incarceration, and OJP can help
ensure other states gain the benefits of similar reforms. In addition,
APA asks the Committee to provide strong funding for juvenile justice
programming to support intervention in the lives of young people while
the chances are highest for a healthy and productive developmental
trajectory.
Address Mental Illness and Reduce Strain on Criminal Justice Systems
APA urges the Committee to provide:
--An additional $9.7 million for mental health staff at the Federal
Bureau of Prisons;
--$20 million for changes to restrictive housing intended to provide
better alternatives, such as the model Secure Mental Health
Step-Down Program, for individuals with mental illness.
--$31 million for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
--$145 million to support the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program
(COAP).
--$7.5 million for the national center to train law enforcement on
responses to individuals with mental illnesses or developmental
disabilities;
--$2 million for the Missing Americans Alert Program as authorized
under Kevin and Avonte's Law, Division Q of Public Law 115-141;
and
--$2 million to fund the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness
Act.
People with mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal
justice system. APA strongly supports diversion from deeper levels of
justice system involvement, when public safety allows, so that
individuals with mental illness can obtain the care they need.
Additionally, APA strongly encourages Congress to direct the Bureau of
Justice Statistics to improve data collection on people with mental
illness and substance use disorders in criminal justice systems, since
currently available data is extremely outdated.
To support important State and local government efforts across the
Nation in addressing the high rate of mental and behavioral health
needs among youth and adults in contact with criminal justice systems,
APA also supports level funding for Drug Courts, Veterans Treatment
Courts, and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners.
APA encourages the use of COAP funds to increase peer-to-peer
support, create law enforcement partnerships with public health,
behavioral health, and other social services, for the development of
tools to support MAT and cognitive behavioral treatment in confinement,
and to support the transition to community-based services upon release.
Support Victims of Violence
To support the Office of Violence Against Women, APA requests:
--$9 million for Protections and Services for Disabled Victims;
--$9 million for the Elder Abuse Grant Program;
--$5 million for Grants to Tribal Governments; $2 million for
Outreach to Underserved Populations;
--$20 million for Grants to Combat Violent Crimes on College
Campuses; and $222 million for STOP Grants.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which authorizes the OVW, is
the Federal framework for the U.S. response to domestic and sexual
violence. APA urges the Committee to consider the needs of underserved
and marginalized populations. Racial and ethnic minorities, women with
disabilities, individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender, and other marginalized populations are at higher risk of
victimization from domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual
violence. APA asks the Committee to prioritize effective prevention and
support around domestic and sexual violence for these populations.
These programs are crucial in preventing further violence, helping
victims find safety and support, and starting them on the path towards
recovery.
Support Improved Police-Community Relations
APA urges the Committee to continue funding the Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services to support Federal, state, and local
activities, by providing:
--$10 million for the Community Policing Development Program;
--$10 million for the Collaborative Reform Initiative; and
--$5 million for the Innovations in Community Based Crime Reduction
Program.
Psychological research has revealed effective strategies to enhance
law enforcement and community relations, improve public safety, and
reduce the risks of violence and aggression. These include the
development of community-informed responses to violence, implementation
of community-based policing implemented in a way that builds trust
between police and the communities they serve, training on stereotypes
and the effects of implicit bias, and programs that support the mental
health and well-being of officers.
[This statement was submitted by Amalia Corby, Senior Legislative
and Federal Affairs Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Society for Engineering Education
national science foundation and national aeronautics and space
administration funding
Summary: This written testimony is submitted on behalf of the
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to the Senate
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for
the official record. ASEE appreciates the Committee's support for the
National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year 2019 and asks you to
robustly fund the agency in fiscal year 2020, including the Research
and Related Activities and the Education and Human Resources accounts.
ASEE joins the academic and scientific community in requesting support
of at least $9 billion for NSF in fiscal year 2020 to help alleviate
impacts of historical underinvestment at NSF and advance both core
research and education activities and NSF's Big Ideas for Future
Investment. Additionally, ASEE supports continuation of funding at the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) dedicated to the
Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), which supports engineers
and scientists in developing technology to advance science and space
missions in the national interest, and the Office of STEM Engagement,
which supports and coordinates NASA educational efforts in engineering
and STEM.
Written Testimony: The American Society for Engineering Education
(ASEE) is dedicated to advancing engineering and engineering technology
education and research, and is the only society representing the
country's schools and colleges of engineering and engineering
technology. Membership includes over 12,000 individuals hailing from
all disciplines of engineering and engineering technology and includes
educators, researchers, and students as well as industry and government
representatives. The U.S. college-educated engineering workforce
numbered 1.7 million people in 2015,\1\ the most jobs of any STEM
discipline, and the demand for engineering professionals continues to
grow. As the pre-eminent authority on the education of engineering
professionals, ASEE works to develop the future engineering and
technology workforce, expand technological literacy, and convene
academic and corporate stakeholders to advance innovation and sound
policy.
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\1\ National Science Board. 2018. Science and Engineering
Indicators 2018. NSB-2018-1. Alexandria, VA: National Science
Foundation.
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national science foundation
Engineering shapes our Nation and powers our innovation ecosystem.
National Science Foundation (NSF) basic research, conducted in
engineering schools and colleges around the country, catalyzes new
industries and revolutionary advances. A workforce of well-trained
engineers in industry and government takes those discoveries and
develops innovative new technologies to improve our future. This system
is essential to growth and innovation across our economy, and is
helping to solve challenges in health, energy, and national security.
NSF is an essential partner, funding basic engineering and engineering
education research at universities and supporting students to enable
access to engineering education.
ASEE would like to commend you for your commitment to funding NSF
and for providing critical increases in fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
Prior to these funding boosts, NSF received flat funding for several
years, challenging the agency's ability to spur innovative discoveries
and research, particularly as the buying power decreased. Due to budget
limitations, NSF rejected about $3.92 billion in cutting edge research
proposals rated ``very good or higher'' according to the agency's merit
criteria in fiscal year 2017. Tremendous amounts of additional research
and development could be undertaken, leading to novel and
transformative discoveries, if more funding were available. Increasing
NSF funding would help the U.S. stay the global innovation leader, as
other countries have been accelerating research funding. The National
Science Board predicted that in 2018 China surpassed U.S. investments
in research and development. ASEE is also concerned that the shutdown
significantly set back NSF research and education efforts. Increased
support is needed for the agency to catch up on crucial initiatives put
on hold.
ASEE joins the research and higher education community in
requesting that the Committee fund NSF at $9 billion in fiscal year
2020 to continue the momentum from increased funding in fiscal year
2019 to drive advances in research and education and ensure the U.S.
retains global competitiveness and scientific leadership.
Investments in engineering education and research from NSF are
essential for having a workforce trained and ready to contribute to
industry, government, and academia. NSF is a major supporter of
engineering research and workforce initiatives funding 36 percent of
engineering and 85 percent of computer science academic fundamental
research. NSF-funded advancements touch every corner of our lives and
economy, from wireless systems to advanced manufacturing, and from new
tools to combat brain diseases to technologies to ensure our
cybersecurity. NSF supports engineering education at all levels,
ensuring the next generation of the U.S. engineering workforce is
appropriately prepared to contribute and innovate and that domestic
students are attracted to careers in engineering and engineering
technology.
ASEE strongly supports NSF's Big Ideas for Future Investment that
dramatically propel engineering research and education forward while
revolutionizing the human-technology frontier, medicine, quantum
communications, and other areas. We urge continued investment in
INCLUDES \2\ to move the needle nationally on broadening participation.
NSF needs additional investment to adequately pursue these exciting,
new interdisciplinary and transformative ideas while investing in core
research activities that power our research ecosystem. These core
programs have stagnated for several years, threating research
innovation.
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\2\ Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of
Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science.
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NSF-funded research catalyzes fundamental advances that are
utilized for national security applications while engineers trained
with NSF funding become key components of the national security
workforce and industrial base. Our national security ecosystem depends
on healthy NSF research and workforce support.
The NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) provides critical support
for engineering education and research across the breadth of the
discipline. These investments have dual outcomes of training future
engineers that will discover tomorrow's innovations, all while
furthering today's cutting-edge research. Engineering investments at
NSF provide critical advancements in areas such as resilient
infrastructure, advanced materials and manufacturing, and
bioengineering, in addition to equipping students with the skills they
need to be the next generation of technological leaders. Divisions such
as Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) support university research
and Engineering Research Centers. ENG grantees have robust partnerships
with industry and provide experiential opportunities fundamental to
engineering education.
The NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and
Engineering also plays a key role supporting engineering education and
research, particularly within the Division of Information & Intelligent
Systems, which supports efforts at the frontiers of information
technology, data science, artificial intelligence, among other areas.
These investments are critical as we move into a world even more
reliant on human-technology interactions.
ASEE strongly supports NSF Education and Human Resources (EHR)
funding to foster inclusive and effective learning and learning
environments, though growth to this crucial NSF directorate has been
neglected for several years. The STEM workforce, particularly
engineers, technologists, and computer scientists, drives our
innovation and economic development. We need to fully develop all of
our nation's human talent in order to tackle pressing problems. Access
to STEM experiences and skills are a critical aspect of developing
well-rounded citizens, technological literacy, and the future STEM
workforce. ASEE supports EHR programs including Improving Undergraduate
STEM Education (IUSE), which is critical for preparing professional
engineers and enhancing engineering educational experiences to broaden
participation and retention in engineering and engineering technology
programs, and Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) to revolutionize
graduate studies to best prepare students for STEM careers.
NSF plays a key role ensuring the development of new tools for
teaching engineering design and analysis skills, which are under-taught
in today's K-12 classrooms. As noted in the 2009 National Academies
report Engineering in K-12 Education, engineering education has
received little attention yet has the potential to improve student
learning and achievement in other areas of STEM, increase awareness of
engineering careers, and increase technological literacy. Engineering's
focus on design and analysis enhances problem solving, teaches students
new ways to approach challenges, and encourages students to connect
science and math topics to real-world applications- all skills critical
to the future technical workforce. ASEE supports programs to fill
workforce needs including Advanced Technical Education (ATE) that
prepares advanced technicians for America's high-skills workforce and
graduate fellowships to create a pipeline of students knowledgeable and
excited about engineering.
national aeronautics and space administration
ASEE is concerned with the Administration's proposal to consolidate
the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and redirect its activities
solely towards human exploration. Of importance to ASEE, STMD
activities support the workforce development pipeline of future space
engineers and technologists by engaging directly with the academic
community through early career faculty programs, early stage research
grants, and university-led multidisciplinary research institutes.
STMD's broad portfolio of activities helps to meet NASA's science
objectives, establishes new commercial and academic partnerships, and
stimulates the growth of the Nation's technology sector. STMD programs
fill significant capability gaps for NASA and better position the
agency to meet its long-term strategic goals in areas across all its
directorates ranging from propulsion and power generation to materials
science and high-performance computing. ASEE urges the Committee to
block the administration's proposal and protect STMD's ability to focus
on a broad array of NASA technology challenges, continue its engagement
with the academic and private sectors, and keep its long-term focus
beyond specific near-term mission goals. ASEE joins the research
community in requesting $973 million for STMD in fiscal year 2020.
ASEE is also concerned with the administration's proposed
elimination of NASA's Office of STEM Engagement, renamed from the NASA
Office of Education, and asks that the Committee sustain funding for
this office in fiscal year 2020 and beyond. NASA STEM Engagement
programs inspire students to pursue engineering, science, and
technology careers, and this office plays a vital role coordinating
STEM education programs throughout the agency, including those at NASA
centers. ASEE supports the continuation of the National Space Grant
College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant), which supports university
consortia in all 50 States, funding fellowships for engineering and
other STEM students, while also offering important resources for
faculty professional development and strengthening curricula. ASEE is
also supportive of initiatives at the NASA Office of STEM Engagement to
broaden participation in STEM and to bring engineering design and
analysis experiences to K-12 students.
conclusion
NSF education and research investments have truly transformed our
world through engineering breakthroughs such as the Internet, fiber-
optics, and medical imaging technology. These investments keep our
communities safe, lower healthcare costs, and spur our economy. Today,
engineering research is opening possibilities through advances in areas
such as artificial intelligence, biosensors, and advanced materials. We
ask that you robustly fund NSF at $9 billion to support critical
education and research programs. In addition, we urge you to continue
both the STMD and the Office of STEM Engagement at NASA in fiscal year
2020. Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony.
[This statement was submitted by Stephanie Farrell, President, and
Norman Fortenberry, Executive Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Animal Welfare Institute
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on fiscal year
2020 funding priorities for the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), and
the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
department of commerce
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program: $4
million
The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
(Prescott Grant Program), a program under the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), provides competitive grants to marine mammal stranding network
organizations to do the following: (1) rescue and rehabilitate sick,
injured, or distressed live marine mammals, and (2) investigate the
events surrounding and determine the cause of death or injury to marine
mammals. Over the past 18 years, the Prescott Grant Program has been
vital to protecting and recovering marine mammals across the country
while also generating critical information regarding marine mammals and
their environment. As the sole source of Federal funding for the
National Marine Mammal Stranding Network, which is comprised of over 90
member organizations within 23 States, robust funding is required for
the Prescott Grant Program to enable it to continue its vital work.
ESA and MMPA Permitting Capacity: $2.5 million
The NOAA fiscal year 2020 budget proposes to reduce the funding
allocated to these efforts by $2.599 million. As the agency
acknowledges, this will decrease the resources available to NMFS'
consultation and permitting capacity, which supports requirements under
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA). This comes at the same time that the agency is projecting an
improved response for ESA Section 7 consultations, from 50 days in
fiscal year 2019 to 47 days in fiscal year 2020. It is hard to see how
that reduction in time can be accomplished with reduced resources.
North Atlantic Right Whale-Related Research and Development: $5 million
With as few as 420 remaining right whales, NMFS' priority to
``investigate and develop measures to mitigate threats to the recovery
of North Atlantic right whales'' deserves our full support.\1\ However,
the administration's fiscal year 2020 budget request eliminating the $1
million appropriated in fiscal year 2019 for right whale research and
development directly contradicts and undermines that priority.
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\1\ U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (2019). NOAA
Fisheries Priorities and Annual Guidance 2019. Retrieved from https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/noaa-fisheries-priorities-and-
annual-guidance-2019.
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The greatest threats to the survival of right whales are fishing
gear entanglements and vessel strikes. Right whales are extremely
vulnerable to being caught in the vertical buoy lines used in lobster
and crab trapping gear. Entanglement can lead to drowning, reduced
mobility, and, in some cases, a long, painful death from starvation.
Ships also collide with right whales, causing deaths or serious
injuries, such as blunt force trauma, propeller cuts, and broken bones.
With this in mind, we respectfully request that you appropriate $5
million to NMFS for North Atlantic right whale-related research and
development for fiscal year 20 in order to facilitate effective and
immediate conservation action.
Unusual Mortality Event Fund: $4 million
Marine mammals are important indicator species of ocean health.
Monitoring the health of marine mammals, especially during an Unusual
Mortality Event (UME), can reveal emerging threats, potential impacts
of human activities, and the effectiveness of management actions. A UME
is defined as ``a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant
die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate
response.'' NMFS currently ovesees nine active UMEs (Northeast
pinnipeds, Southwest Florida bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic minke
whales, North Atlantic right whales, Atlantic humpback whales,
Guadelupe fur seals, Florida manatees, California sea lions, and Texas
bottlenose dolphins). Although Congress created this fund in 1992, it
allocated monies to the fund only in 2005; any funding for UMEs has
been though voluntary contributions. In light of the growing number of
UMEs, we request an appropriation in the amount of $4 million.
Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP): $4 million
Mandated by the MMPA, NMFS must measure and report the effects of
commercial fisheries on marine mammal stocks. One way in which NMFS
complies with this law is through the Observer program. These programs
provide vital independent third-party data; the NMFS website states,
``NOAA Fisheries has determined that observer programs are the best
means of obtaining accurate and objective data for determining rates of
marine mammal takes in fisheries.'' \2\
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\2\ U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Alaska Marine Mammal
Observer Program. Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
fisheries-observers/alaska-marine-mammal-observer-program.
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Alaska produces more than half of the fish caught in waters off the
coast of the United States; it is therefore troubling that NMFS is not
operating the AMMOP ``due to a lack of available resources to fund
additional observations of the southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet
fishery.'' \3\ To remedy this shortfall in funding, and to restore the
essential operations of AMMOP, we ask for $4 million to the program,
the same amount the Adminstration requests for the North Pacific
Fishery Observer Fund for fiscal year 2020.
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\3\ U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Alaska Marine Mammal
Observer Program. Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
fisheries-observers/alaska-marine-mammal-observer-program.
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Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP): $3 million
It is promising to note that for fiscal year 20, the Administration
has added nine new positions to the SIMP program and requested $1.593
million in funds, an increase from the $1.2 million in fiscal year 2019
that was used for SIMP program implementation. Given the scope and
difficulty of tracking fraud; preventing illegal, unreported, and
unregulated (IUU) fishing; and keeping the resulting seafood products
from entering U.S. commerce, additional funding is essential. The
program initially oversaw imports of 11 species, including sharks and
sea cucumbers, two marine species that are increasingly threatened by
IUU fishing. In 2019, two additional species, shrimp and abalone,
entered SIMP, thereby doubling the volume of imported products covered
by SIMP. Though the administration's proposal is a welcome start, we
request an increase to $3 million in order to ensure full enforcement
of SIMP.
Marine Mammal Commission (MMC): $5.25 million
The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) is an independent Federal agency
established by Congress in 1972 under the MMPA. Responsible for
overseeing the proper implementation of the MMPA, the MMC provides
comprehensive, independent, science-based oversight of all Federal and
international policy and management actions affecting marine mammals.
The MMC's work is crucial for maintaining healthy populations of marine
mammals, including whales, manatees, dolphins, seals, sea otters,
walruses, and polar bears, and ensuring their survival for generations
to come. Additionally, the MMC seeks to ensure that Alaska Natives can
meet their subsistence needs through hunting of marine mammals.
Unwisely, the administration seeks to eliminate the Commission. Not
only do we strongly oppose such a move, but we also recommend
increasing MMC funding. Since fiscal year 2015, the MMC has been funded
at a flat level of $3.43 million--this level of funding translates to
about one penny per American per yer. However, since that time, the MMC
has absorbed significant fixed costs, leading to reduced discretionary
funding for its core functions by roughly 53 percent ($1.82 million).
In order to restore the Commission to the discretionary funding level
it had in fiscal year 2015, $5.25 million is needed. This level of
funding will better enable the MMC to fulfill its signfiicant
obligations as outlined in the MMPA.
Cooperative Enforcement Program: $18.279 million
The NOAA Fisheries Cooperative Enforcement Program is aimed at
increasing living marine resource conservation, endangered species
protection, and critical habitat enforcement. The program is based on
Cooperative Enforcement Agreements, which authorize State and U.S.
territorial marine conservation law enforcement officers to enforce
Federal laws and regulations, and on Joint Enforcement Agreements
(JEAs), which include transfers of funds to State and U.S. territorial
law enforcement agencies to perform law enforcement services in support
of Federal regulations such as the ESA, MMPA, the Magnuson-Stevens
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, and the Lacey Act. The
fiscal year 2020 budget proposes to eliminate $18.279 million in
funding for this program. As a result, NOAA will be unable to implement
JEAs for 27 States and U.S. territories, significantly hampering law
enforcement efforts. Given the importance of this enforcement work, we
request maintaining this funding.
Galveston Sea Turtle Facility
In the summer of 2018, NOAA announced that the Galveston Sea Turtle
Facility would close due to ``budget constraints.'' This facility does
life-saving work by rescuing and rehabilitating threatened and
endangered sea turtles, and it is also the only facility in the U.S.
with a sea turtle captive rearing program that allows for testing of
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) for fishing nets, primarily shrimp
trawlers. TEDs are metal grates inserted into shrimp nets that allow
sea turtles and other ocean wildlife to escape. TEDs are a simple
solution to ensure target fish and shrimp species are more effectively
and sustainably caught by preventing larger marine species from
accidently getting ensnared and dying. Using TEDs benefits sea turtles,
fishermen, and the general public--these devices have the potential to
save thousands of sea turtles and other ecologically and economically
important marine species, reduce millions of pounds of wasted seafood,
open new markets to U.S. shrimpers, boost nature-based tourism, and
leave more fish in the sea for other fishermen. For example, in 2013,
the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery discarded over 242 million
pounds of fish--including species popular with recreational anglers,
like red snapper, red and black drum, and Spanish and King mackerel.
This wasted seafood equated to over $357 million in value for
commercial fisheries. The Galveston facility requires only $600-800K/
year to stay operational, a mere fraction of NOAA's over-$3 billion
annual budget.
Requested Report Language: The Committee directs the National
Marine Fisheries Service to continue scientifically advisable
operations of and full funding for ongoing work on endangered and
threatened sea turtle conservation, including captive sea turtle
rearing and Turtle Excluder Device research and certification to reduce
sea turtle bycatch. The agency has committed to Congress that it would
continue its sea turtle stranding and rehabilitation programs until it
found suitable non-governmental partners to take over that program in
full. NMFS is therefore directed to maintain adequate capacity of the
sea turtle stranding and rehabilitation program until it can assure
Congress that those critical activities have been fully transferred to
partner organizations.
department of justice
Protecting Animals With Shelter (PAWS)
Violence in the home can be directed at companion animals as well
as at the human members of the household. Abusers threaten, harm, and
even kill pets to frighten and control their victims. Few domestic
violence survivors have access to shelters that can protect them and
their pets; in fact, large numbers delay their escape out of fear for
the safety of the pets left behind. Congress has wisely sought to
address this shortage of resources. Section 12502 of Public Law 115-
334, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, authorizes a grant
program to provide emergency and transitional shelter and housing
options for domestic violence survivors with companion animals. It is
urgent that Congress now appropriate the authorized funding and direct
the agencies involved to take all necessary steps to implement the
program. For that reason, we ask the subcommittee to include the
following directive to the Department of Justice:
Requested Bill Language: The Committee urges the Attorney General
to enter into consultations with the Secretary of Agriculture as soon
as possible, and enter into any memoranda of understanding as directed,
in order to establish during fiscal year 2020 the requirements for
grant application and execution under Section 12502 of Public Law 115-
334, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, to provide emergency and
transitional shelter and housing options for domestic violence
survivors with companion animals.
[This statement was submitted by Nancy Blaney, Director, Government
Affairs.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
i. introduction
Thank you for including this statement in the hearing record for
the fiscal year 2020 budget for the Department of Commerce, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This statement is in
support of continued funding for the Antarctic Ecosystem Research
Division (AERD), which implements the Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(AMLR) Program of NOAA.
I am providing this testimony on behalf of the Antarctic and
Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), which represents non-governmental
organizations interested in the protection of Antarctica and its
surrounding ocean, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF),
Greenpeace, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and others.
The fiscal year 2020 Presidential budget request zeroes out the
funding for NOAA's Antarctic Ecosystem Research Program, which
implements the Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program. This
would cause the United States to lose influence and scientific
credibility in the Antarctic governance system. Congress has supported
this funding for decades to fulfill obligations under an international
treaty as well as under domestic legislation. ASOC and its member
organizations strongly encourage Congress to protect AMLR funding.
The AMLR program has a strong track record of scientific excellence
and has always enjoyed bipartisan congressional support. Since its
inception in 1986, Congress has ensured funding for AMLR, supporting
its staff and scientists producing vital Southern Ocean research. We
urge the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies to protect this funding.
ii. the antarctic marine living resources program (amlr program)
The NOAA Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division AMLR program is a
vital program fulfilling NOAA's requirement of providing scientific
advice that supports the United States' interests in the Southern
Ocean.
Realizing the importance of Antarctica to the American public,
Congress signed the U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR)
Convention Act of 1984. This Act directed NOAA to implement a research
program to support and facilitate implementation of an international
treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources (CAMLR Convention), of which the United States is a
signatory. The program that was subsequently created is known as the
United States AMLR Program. The AMLR program has been implemented by
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) since 1987. Today, the
program is implemented by the Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division
(AERD). Research results are submitted to the Commission on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the body
charged with implementing the CAMLR Convention.
With a small budget and staff, AMLR provides a significant
contribution to the science-based discussions and decisionmaking of
CCAMLR. A recent comprehensive analysis of the outputs of national
Antarctic research programs found that the United States was by far the
most productive in terms of research publication records.\1\ Within
that, the AMLR Program has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed
publications since 2018. In addition, with only 12 staff, AMLR
submitted 20 papers to the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and its working
groups in 2018, compared to 27 papers submitted by the more than 25
staff of the British Antarctic Survey.
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\1\ Andrew D. Gray & Kevin A. Hughes (2016) Demonstration of
``substantial research activity'' to acquire consultative status under
the Antarctic Treaty, Polar Research, 35:1, 34061, DOI: 10.3402/
polar.v35.34061.
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The AMLR Program was the first national research program to
investigate the State of Southern Ocean fish stocks. The first AMLR
research cruise confirmed that fishing operations were having adverse
impacts on marine life, and that several fish stocks were being
exploited at rates above those levels which allow replacement of the
stock. Several species had been so heavily fished that their
populations were less than 10 percent of their original size. This work
enabled CCAMLR to take swift action to prevent further overfishing.
Another vital contribution to CCAMLR from the AMLR Program is their
long-term monitoring program examining changes to the Southern Ocean
ecosystem over several decades. Long-term data sets such as these are
critical for understanding how ecosystems respond to global
environmental changes and human pressures over time, with implications
for global climate systems, industrial fishing, tourism, and
geopolitics. Eliminating funding for the AMLR program would end this
data collection, disrupting over 20 years of work and ending research
that international teams of scientists and managers rely on.
The United States is seen as an international leader within CCAMLR.
The United States' scientific delegation to CCAMLR is led by AMLR
Program staff who submit their research results to the CCAMLR process.
The United States is a strong voice for the adoption of Antarctic
fisheries management measures that ensure the precautionary protection
of Southern Ocean food webs.
The AMLR Program was instrumental in the process of designating the
Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA), the largest MPA in the world and
an important international conservation legacy for the United States.
With counterparts from New Zealand, scientists within the AMLR Program
developed the science underpinning the Ross Sea MPA, and they are
leading the Ross Sea MPA research and monitoring program to ensure that
the MPA continues to meet its conservation objectives.
Key research topics for the AMLR Program are highlighted below:
Antarctic krill form the basis of the Antarctic food web and
provide a critical carbon sink in the Southern Ocean. The AMLR Program
conducts annual studies to estimate krill population dynamics. The
international research community relies on these surveys to monitor the
effects of the krill fishery, link these effects to changes in predator
populations, and understand climate change.
Stock assessments estimate the status of Antarctic species subject
to fishing. AMLR scientists participate with other CCAMLR Member nation
scientists to review fisheries issues in the Southern Ocean and develop
new assessment frameworks and models that are used to establish catch
limits.
Climate change research helps to establish an understanding of how
species and ecosystems are responding to climate change in the
Antarctic. Long-term research done by the AMLR Program is extremely
valuable in analyzing trends over time. The research also contributes
to a better understanding of global climate systems and warming
impacts.
Penguins are important indicators of ecosystem health. AMLR
researchers have monitored aspects of the breeding biology and foraging
ecology of Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin populations since 1977,
and use this data to monitor and predict changes to the krill resources
and inform CCAMLR fisheries decisionmaking.
iii. fiscal year 2020 appropriations request
Antarctica's ecosystems have long remained healthy due in large
part to the United States' commitment to conducting research in support
of its obligations. The fiscal year 2020 Appropriations Request would
eliminate the entire $2.9M budget for the AMLR Program. This would have
several consequences for the position of the United States in CCAMLR,
including a loss of scientific credibility and the ability to influence
management decisions. Removing funding for AMLR's groundbreaking
research would be catastrophic for the international community that
relies on this research, and have an impact on CCAMLR's ability to
implement science-based management decisions. Moreover, other countries
such as China are increasing their investment in Antarctic research and
their presence within CCAMLR; by ending the AMLR Program, United
States' influence in the region would be diminished.
The United States is a world leader in polar governance, and the
Antarctic is often seen as a potential model for future Arctic
governance solutions. As the global community comes together to debate
international environmental governance, diminishing the influence and
participation of the United States in these conversations would be
shortsighted. The AMLR Program has been supported by Congress for
decades as a cost-effective means of fulfilling international treaty
obligations. Protecting this funding would demonstrate that the United
States intends to continue playing an active role in the governance of
the Antarctic region.
iv. ccamlr background and history
The United States was one of the initial signatories to the
landmark Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The Antarctic Treaty declared the
Antarctic continent a place of peace and science, providing space for
international scientific cooperation at the height of the Cold War.
Subsequently, Antarctic Treaty Parties ratified the Convention on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR Convention) in
1980 to create a governance regime in the Southern Ocean. The
Convention created an international organization, the Commission on the
Conservation Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). CCAMLR meets
annually to determine appropriate management rules to ensure the
protection of Southern Ocean ecosystems.
CCAMLR is widely recognized as a leader in high seas governance and
is seen as a model for other international organizations. The CAMLR
Convention requires that any fishing that occurs in its jurisdictional
waters must meet several conservation principles which ensure the long-
term health of the fished population and its ecosystems. To do so
requires a precautionary, ecosystem-based approach to fisheries
management that is supported by robust science. In recent years, CCAMLR
has committed to developing a system of marine protected areas (MPAs)
in the Southern Ocean to give further protections to the region's
biodiversity. The Ross Sea MPA, supported by the United States, was
created by CCAMLR in 2016 and is the world's largest high-seas MPA.
The United States has been a leader in Antarctic and Southern Ocean
governance since its inception. It played a key role in the drafting of
the CAMLR Convention, and has been an active Member of CCAMLR for
almost four decades. From overseeing implementation of the Convention,
to cracking down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
to conducting relevant scientific research, the United States is a key
player in ensuring CCAMLR's success.
[This statement was submitted by Claire Christian, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Association of Science-Technology Centers,
American Alliance of Museums, Association of Children's Museums, and
Association of Science Museum Directors
regarding
Federal Science Funding and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
Subcommittee:
Thank you for accepting this statement submitted by the Association
of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), the American Alliance of Museums
(AAM), the Association of Children's Museums (ACM), and the Association
of Science Museum Directors (ASMD). We are Cristin Dorgelo, President
and CEO of ASTC; Laura L. Lott, President and CEO of AAM; Laura Huerta
Migus, Executive Director of ACM; and Bonnie Styles, Executive Director
of ASMD.
We appreciate the opportunity to present the views of our
associations to the subcommittee for its consideration as it prepares
to write the fiscal year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies Appropriations bill, particularly regarding the National
Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
Our associations represent more than 5,000 member organizations in
every State and district in America, including science centers and
museums, nature centers, aquariums, zoos, planetariums, botanical
gardens, and natural history and children's museums, as well as
companies, consultants, and other organizations that share an interest
in science education and public engagement in science.
Taken together, our national reach is a vital resource for
fostering rich public engagement in the importance of science and many
other subjects and disciplines towards building a bright future and
opportunity for all.
Our place-based organizations are leading institutions in the
efforts to promote education in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM), developing rich, innovative, and effective science-
learning experiences. We are helping to create the future STEM
workforce and inspiring people of all ages about the wonders and the
meaning of science in their lives. And our members are trusted and
valued by their communities--a recent national public opinion poll,
showed that 95 percent of voters would approve of lawmakers who acted
to support museums and 96 percent of voters want Federal funding for
museums to be maintained or increased (Museums and Public Opinion,
Wilkening, S. and AAM, 2018).
In the past, we have testified on behalf of the specific funding
numbers for programs under this subcommittee's jurisdiction. But today
we also want to commend this subcommittee through a look at the bigger
picture--the overall science budget of the U.S. Federal Government.
As you are well aware, for the past 2 years the administration
proposed significant cuts to the budgets of a number of domestic
agencies. Included in the list of impacted programs were a number of
science agencies and science programs. Similar cuts have been proposed
in the administration's fiscal year 2020 budget.
We want to thank you for not allowing the cuts to move forward. We
urge you to reject them in the fiscal year 2020 budget as well. Of
course, the first hurdle to cross to fully fund all the programs is to
raise or repeal the budget caps. To do otherwise will result in
devastating impacts to America's scientific enterprise and force you to
forego critical investments in our students at a time when we must
equip all Americans with the skills they need to thrive in the future
workforce.
Taken together, the investments being made by the U.S. Federal
Government in science and research is larger than ever. On behalf of
the all the members of ASTC, AAM, ACM, and ASMD--and the communities
they serve--we want to say thank you, with gratitude for a job well
done.
Our associations and the member organizations we represent in
America's communities were active and vocal supporters of a robust
budget for science and for STEM education budget last year. Many of our
institutions hosted science days, participated in community
celebrations of science, and reached out to their elected
representatives to make the case for the importance of science and STEM
education. This year and into the future, our associations will all
continue to advocate for robust research, STEM education, and science
engagement funding at every opportunity.
In December 2018, a new 5-year Federal STEM Education Strategic
Plan was published by the interagency National Science and Technology
Council's Committee on STEM Education. The new plan reflects a vital
roadmap for public-private cooperation to advance STEM education, and
we encourage the subcommittee to fund programs that support our museum
members in making further progress towards the plan's aspirational
goals, which include:
--Building strong foundations for STEM literacy by ensuring that
every American has the opportunity to master basic STEM
concepts, including computational thinking, and to become
digitally literate.
--Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and providing
all Americans with lifelong access to high-quality STEM
education, especially those historically underserved and
underrepresented in STEM fields and employment.
--Preparing the STEM workforce for the future by creating authentic
learning experiences that encourage and prepare learners to
pursue STEM careers.
School-aged youth spend 80 percent of their time outside of the
classroom. Research has consistently shown that learning experiences
outside of the formal classroom are vitally important to youth's future
interest and capacity in STEM (National Research Council, 2006, 2009,
2015).
Every day, our science centers, museums, zoos, and aquariums open
their doors for students and the public. Every day, throughout the
United States, they reach out to students of underserved populations in
both urban and rural areas, so that quality STEM education can be
accessed by every American student. Every day, they welcome girls and
youth from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM fields,
providing positive examples and experiential learning opportunities so
that these youth know there is a place for them in the scientific
community.
Every day, our museums provide educational experiences with
science, technology, and other subjects in interesting, innovative, and
effective ways--including through transdisciplinary approaches that
connect youth with how science, technology, engineering, and math
relate to community issues and real-world problem solving. Every day,
staff at our museums train teachers on effective science teaching
practices and develop curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science
Standards in partnership with local schools. Every day, they open their
doors and reach out to every student in their communities, to ensure
that our Nation has the trained STEM workforce we will need for the
future.
With continued congressional support for programs that support
informal STEM education, afterschool, out-of-school, and summer
learning, and public engagement in science programs, you will make our
efforts more effective.
Turning to specifics, we strongly urge the subcommittee to provide
$9 billion for the National Science Foundation and these specific
levels of support for programs within the agency:
--$910 million for the Directorate for Education and Human Resources
(EHR)
--$62.5 million for Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
--$51.9 million for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
+ Computing Partnerships (STEM+C)
In addition to the specific NSF programs mentioned above, we urge
the subcommittee to provide funding for the NSF Directorates for
Biological Sciences; Education and Human Resources; Geosciences; and
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences to continue to support museum
research, collections, and programs that are key to lifelong STEM
education.
We also recommend the subcommittee fully fund museums to
participate in informal STEM education and science engagement programs
across Federal science mission agencies, specifically at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
For programs within NASA, we recommend the subcommittee provide:
--$115 million for NASA's STEM Engagement programs
--At least $15 million for the Competitive Program for Science
Museums, Planetariums, and NASA Visitor Centers (CP4SMPVC)
within the STEM Education and Accountability Projects
Within the budget for NOAA, we recommend the subcommittee maintain
the total budget for the Office of Education at $28 million.
In short, we strongly urge you to again reject the administration's
proposals to cut these programs and to maintain funding levels in
fiscal year 2020 in a new, bipartisan budget deal that raises the
spending caps and supports American innovation through critical
investments in science, advancing science education, and public
engagement in science.
We continue to thank this subcommittee for all its support of a
robust science budget. You have demonstrated your support for crucial
programs that promote STEM education for our Nation's students. Like
our organizations, you recognize these are vital investments in our
future, and we thank you in advance for taking action accordingly.
[This statement was submitted by Cristin Dorgelo, President and
CEO, Association of Science-Technology Centers, Laura L. Lott,
President and CEO, American Alliance of Museums, Laura Huerta Migus,
Executive Director, Association of Children's Museums, and Bonnie
Styles, Executive Director, Association of Science Museum Directors.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
noaa/marine mammal commission
On behalf of the facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums (AZA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement
of accredited zoos, aquariums, science centers, and nature centers in
the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation, I am
writing to express my strong support for several programs in fiscal
year 2020. Specifically, I respectfully request that you include at
least $8,000,000 for NOAA's Environmental Literacy Grants Program;
$12,000,000 for the Bay, Watershed, Education and Training (BWET)
Program; $4,000,000 for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue
Assistance Grant Program; $10,000,000 for the Marine Debris Program;
$93,500,000 for the National Sea Grant College Program; and, $5,250,000
for the Marine Mammal Commission in the fiscal year 2020 Commerce,
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bills.
The NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants and BWET programs bring
students closer to science by providing them with the opportunity to
learn firsthand about our world's marine resources. Through these grant
programs, aquariums and zoos work closely with Federal, State, and
local partners on projects with long-lasting benefits not only for the
students but their communities as well. Previous projects funded by
these programs at AZA aquariums have focused on establishing a regional
network of summer camp programs grounded in ocean science, enhancing
teen conservation leadership programs, and conserving and managing
coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation's economic, social and
environmental needs. As schools face increased budgetary pressures,
these types of education programs will become even more important in
assuring that schoolchildren receive the necessary foundation in
science education that they will need to be competitive in the 21st
century global economy.
Education programs at AZA-accredited facilities provide essential
learning opportunities, particularly about science, for schoolchildren
in formal and informal settings. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums
educate more than 12 million students about wild animals, their
habitats, and the ways in which the public can contribute to their
conservation. Over the past 10 years, AZA-accredited facilities also
have trained more than 400,000 teachers, ensuring that aquarium and zoo
field trips or in-class education programs support science curricula at
the state and local levels. Without programs like the NOAA
Environmental Literacy Grants Program, the BWET Program, and others,
opportunities for engaging schoolchildren to learn about science will
be lost and the ability of accredited zoos and aquariums to partner
with Federal agencies on education initiatives will be severely
limited.
Prescott grants provide critical resources to stranding network
participants, many of which are AZA-accredited aquariums, for the
recovery and treatment of stranded marine mammals and turtles. These
are the only Federal funds that aquariums receive to help offset the
cost of saving and rehabilitating thousands of stranded animals.
Moreover, the data that aquariums collect from stranded animals is very
important not only as indicators of ocean health, but also in
identifying emerging zoonotic diseases and harmful algal blooms that
can impact commercially valuable species and human health.
AZA-accredited aquariums and other institutions work hard to
leverage Federal resources to save and rehabilitate stranded animals in
every part of the Nation's coastline. Programs utilize the services of
thousands of volunteers who donate their time to help save stranded and
entangled marine mammals and collect key data. However, aquariums need
resources to fund the equipment, personnel and operating cost to run
these extensive and expensive stranding programs, and Federal funds
provide a small, but critical, piece of overall funding. Without those
funds, many aquariums and other institutions are unable to operate
their stranding programs.
AZA-accredited facilities work with Federal, State, and local
partners to address the marine debris accumulating in the ocean and in
rivers, lakes, and streams across the country. Recent studies estimate
that at least eight million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the
world's oceans each year. This pollution affects the availability of
clean water for humans, harms the species living in these vital bodies
of water, and has an impact on the economy and local communities. The
NOAA Marine Debris Program offers several nationwide, competitive
funding opportunities for marine debris projects including removal
grants, education and outreach grants, and research grants. With the
amount of marine debris expected to significantly increase over the
next decade, these grants are critical to cleaning up the existing
trash as well as educating citizens about how to address this global
problem.
The National Sea Grant College Program funds initiatives that are
supported by AZA-accredited facilities including conservation of
coastal, ocean, and Great Lake areas and promotion of long-term
stewardship and responsible use of those aquatic resources. The thirty-
three state Sea Grant programs, located in every coastal and Great
Lakes state, collaborate with AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums on a
variety of projects including aquaculture research, STEM education, and
environmental hazards. This valuable program also funds essential
government fellowships for qualified individuals who want to help
legislators and Federal agencies shape polices affecting coastal, Great
Lake, and ocean areas.
As mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the
Commission's mission is to advance the conservation of marine mammals
and their environment. Its activities include providing independent,
science-based oversight of domestic and international policies and the
actions of Federal agencies addressing the human impact on marine
mammals and their ecosystems, producing reports for policymakers,
coordinating essential research initiatives, and assisting Alaska
Natives pursue their traditional rights under the MMPA. AZA-accredited
facilities play a critical role in marine mammal conservation through
broad-based public education and outreach activities, cutting-edge
research projects, and advocacy for marine protected areas and other
strong policies to protect our oceans. The work of the Marine Mammal
Commission is critical to these efforts.
As you determine priorities for the fiscal year 2020 Commerce,
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bills, I strongly
encourage you to assure that the NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants
Program, BWET Program, John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance
Grant Program, Marine Debris Program, National Sea Grant College
Program, and Marine Mammal Commission receive the necessary funding so
that AZA-accredited facilities can continue to work with their Federal,
state, and local partners to preserve our marine resources and assure
that current and future generations will be good stewards of the
world's precious aquatic resources.
Thank you.
ADDENDUM
AZA-accredited facilities:
Abilene Zoological Gardens
Adventure Aquarium
African Safari Wildlife Park
Akron Zoological Park
Alaska SeaLife Center
Albuquerque Biological Park
Alexandria Zoological Park
Aquarium of Niagara
Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Pacific
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Audubon Zoo
Bergen County Zoological Park
Binder Park Zoo
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birmingham Zoo
Blank Park Zoo
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Bramble Park Zoo
Brandywine Zoo
Brevard Zoo
Bronx Zoo/WCS
Brookgreen Gardens
Buffalo Zoo
Busch Gardens (Tampa)
The Butterfly House
Butterfly Pavilion
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Caldwell Zoo
California Science Center
Cameron Park Zoo
Cape May County Park Zoo
Capron Park Zoo
Central Florida Zoological Park
Central Park Zoo
Chahinkapa Zoo
Charles Paddock Zoo
Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park
Chicago Zoological Society--Brookfield Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Clyde Peeling's Reptiland
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Cosley Zoo
CuriOdyssey
Dakota Zoo
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas Zoo
David Traylor Zoo of Emporia
Denver Zoological Gardens
Detroit Zoological Park
Dickerson Park Zoo
Discovery Cove
Disney's Animal Kingdom
El Paso Zoo
Ellen Trout Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo
Erie Zoo
The Florida Aquarium
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Franklin Park Zoo
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Georgia Aquarium
Gladys Porter Zoo
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
Greensboro Science Center
Greenville Zoo
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Happy Hollow Zoo
Henry Vilas Zoo
Houston Zoo, Inc.
Hutchinson Zoo
Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park
Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
International Crane Foundation
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jenkinson's Aquarium
John Ball Zoological Gardens
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Kansas City Zoo
Lake Superior Zoo
Landry's Downtown Aquarium--Denver
Landry's Houston Aquarium, Inc.
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari
Lee Richardson Zoo
Lehigh Valley Zoo
Lincoln Children's Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens
Lion Country Safari
Little Rock Zoological Gardens
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Los Angeles Zoo
Louisville Zoological Garden
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc.
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Inc.
Miller Park Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
Minnesota Zoological Garden
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Moody Gardens Rainforest and Aquarium
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Museum of Life and Science
Museum of Science
Mystic Aquarium
Naples Zoo
Nashville Zoo
National Aquarium
National Aviary
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
New England Aquarium
New York Aquarium
Newport Aquarium
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
North Carolina Zoological Park
Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Oakland Zoo
OdySea Aquarium
Oglebay's Good Zoo
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Oregon Zoo
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
Peoria Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Potawatomi Zoo
Potter Park Zoological Gardens
Prospect Park Zoo
Pueblo Zoo
Queens Zoo
Racine Zoological Gardens
Red River Zoo
Reid Park Zoo
Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Riverside Discovery Center
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Rolling Hills Zoo
Roosevelt Park Zoo
Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park
Sacramento Zoo
Safari West
Saginaw Children's Zoo
Saint Louis Zoo
Salisbury Zoological Park
San Antonio Zoological Society
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Francisco Zoological Gardens
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Scovill Zoo
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium
SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
The Seas
Seattle Aquarium
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Diego
Sedgwick County Zoo
Seneca Park Zoo
Sequoia Park Zoo
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
South Carolina Aquarium
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Staten Island Zoo
Steinhart Aquarium
Stone Zoo
Sunset Zoological Park
Tennessee Aquarium
Texas State Aquarium
Toledo Zoological Gardens
Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
Tracy Aviary
Trevor Zoo
Tulsa Zoo
Turtle Back Zoo
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Utica Zoo
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
Virginia Living Museum
Virginia Zoological Park
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Wildlife Safari
The Wilds
Woodland Park Zoo
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Boise
Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Miami
ZOOAMERICA NA Wildlife Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
[This statement was submitted by Dan Ashe, President and CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Choose Clean Water Coalition
Dear Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Shaheen:
The undersigned members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition request
continued support for programs that are essential to maintaining a
healthy and vibrant Chesapeake Bay and a strong regional economy that
is dependent on the Bay's resources. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a strong and long term presence
in the Chesapeake Bay area, and its Chesapeake Bay Office coordinates
their efforts with other Federal agencies, State and local partners and
users of the resource.
The programs that are run and/or coordinated by NOAA's Chesapeake
Bay Office (NCBO) are critical for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and for
its users and residents. These programs provide the science and
management assistance necessary for those whose livelihood is to ply
the Bay's waters for fish, crabs and oysters and to the hundreds of
thousands of people who fish recreationally in the Bay every year and
to the millions who boat, kayak, and/or view wildlife in the region.
NCBO is also critical for others, from students learning about
science with hands-on experiences to local governments and residents
along the shore to have the latest information to prepare for coastal
flooding and hurricane emergencies.
Utilizing sound science in the management of Chesapeake Bay
resources is critical for our regional economy. We request the
following funding levels in fiscal year 2020:
department of commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--National Marine
Fisheries Service--Habitat Conservation and Restoration--
Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO)--$9.7 million
Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO)--$9.7 million
The NCBO was established by Congress in 1992 to provide resources,
technical assistance and coordination through its two branches: the
Ecosystem Science and Synthesis Program, which focuses on applied
research and monitoring in fisheries and aquatic habitats; synthesis,
and analysis to describe and predict Bay ecosystem processes; and
technical assistance to Chesapeake Bay decision makers.
The second branch is Environmental Literacy and Partnerships
Program, which focuses on the development of K-12 and higher education
environmental science education programs; strategic partnerships with
the Chesapeake Bay Program and other government, university, and
nonprofit partners; and delivering NOAA products, services, and
programs to targeted audiences.
The NCBO's programs play a key role in implementing the voluntary
Chesapeake Bay Agreement among the States and is critical to ensuring
that commitments are met to:
--restore native oyster habitat and populations in 10 tributaries by
the year 2025;
--ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills to protect
and restore their local watershed;
--sustain a healthy blue crab and striped bass (rockfish) population;
--maintain a coordinated watershed-wide monitoring and research
program; and
--adapt to climate change, including sea level rise and flooding.
The specific breakdown of our request for $9.7 million for the NCBO is
as follows:
Oyster Restoration--$4 million
The Chesapeake Bay oyster population is less than 1 percent of
historic levels and the ecosystem functions associated with oyster
reefs, including fish habitat and nitrogen removal, are similarly
diminished. NCBO continues to restore entire tributaries with self-
sustaining oyster populations and to measure the resulting ecosystem
benefits. NCBO works with Federal, State and private partners to plan
and implement this tributary-scale restoration in both Maryland and
Virginia.
Recent studies by Morgan State University found that the economic
multipliers associated with commercial and recreational fishing in
three restored tributaries of the Choptank River are currently valued
at $13 million annually for newly restored reefs and $26 million
annually once the restored reefs are allowed to mature. In addition,
research conducted in one of these tributaries, Harris Creek, by the
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science found the reefs there are removing
nitrogen and phosphorous from the water, providing a service valued at
over $3 million annually. Preliminary research by NOAA has also found
correlations between clearer water and increased submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV) growth in areas where large-scale restoration has
occurred when compared to similar unrestored areas. Protecting the
existing restoration sites will allow these benefits to accrue and new
restoration will enhance these benefits in more tributaries.
Funding for oyster restoration in the Chesapeake was also done
through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but they have not received
funding in a number of years. Funding for this key program has eroded
sharply since fiscal year 2010, and without Army Corps funds, NOAA is
the only Federal agency left to continue this key restoration program.
Environmental Education and Literacy--$3.5 million
NCBO encourages and supports efforts in K-12 and higher education
to develop and implement comprehensive environmental literacy programs.
NCBO runs the nationally recognized Bay Watershed Education and
Training Program (B-WET)--a competitive grant program for hands-on
watershed education for students and teacher training to foster
stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay. B-WETs funding has steadily eroded
since 2010 and should be restored to at least that level. This $3.5
million would be a part of the larger national B-WET funding.
Fisheries Science--$1 million
Chesapeake fisheries contribute significantly to the economy and
culture of the region. In 2018 Maryland harvested just over 33 million
pounds of blue crab with a dockside value of more than $53.7 million.
Striped bass (rockfish) remain the most popular commercial and
recreational finfish in the Bay, generating roughly $500 million in
economic activity related to fishing expenditures, travel, lodging, and
so on each year. NCBO works with top academic institutions to provide
science used to sustainably manage commercially and recreationally
valuable species. These efforts have been hampered by slowly eroding
budgets, leaving NCBO without a single fishery biologist on staff, and
this at a time when climate change is altering ecosystem conditions in
ways that may impact commercial and recreational species and their prey
in unknown ways.
Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS)--$1 million
Weather and water conditions on the Chesapeake Bay are constantly
changing. It is imperative that monitoring systems are in place to
provide high quality data to understand, forecast, and develop decision
support applications that aid maritime commerce, safety, and fishing
activities. CBIBS is maintained by NCBO and relays near real time
weather and water information to the National Weather Service, boaters,
pilots, and researchers. This is the only system monitoring wind and
waves together in the mainstem of the Bay. In addition, CBIBS plays a
crucial role monitoring key aspects of the Bay's health. Data from the
buoys are used to track sediment plumes spilling into the Bay following
storms, measure oxygen levels important to fish throughout the year and
to forecast the distribution and severity of dangerous bacteria--
information that is critical to successful aquaculture operations.
Climate and Resiliency--$200,000
NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey lead implementing the climate
resiliency goal for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The NOAA
Chesapeake Bay Office maintains a full-time climate resiliency
specialist to coordinate all climate activities across the Chesapeake
Bay Program, including activities such as monitoring for the impacts of
sea level rise, coastal flooding, increased storm intensity and their
effects on living resources and coastal communities.
Thank you for your consideration of these very important requests
to maintain funding for programs that are critical to the health of the
Chesapeake Bay and its natural resources. Please contact Peter J. Marx
at 410-905-2515 or [email protected] with any questions or
concerns.
members of the choose clean water coalition
Action Together Northeastern Pennsylvania
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
American Chestnut Land Trust
American Rivers
Anacostia Riverkeeper
Anacostia Watershed Society
Annapolis Green
Arundel Rivers Federation
Audubon Maryland/DC
Audubon Naturalist Society
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
Back Creek Conservancy
Baltimore Tree Trust
Blue Heron Environmental Network
Blue Ridge Watershed Coalition
Blue Water Baltimore
Butternut Valley Alliance
Cacapon Institute
Capital Region Land Conservancy
Catskill Mountainkeeper
Center for Progressive Reform
Chapman Forest Foundation
Chemung River Friends
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Chesapeake Conservancy
Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
Clean Fairfax
Clean Water Action
Clean Water Linganore
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
DC Environmental Network
Delaware Nature Society
Ducks Unlimited
Earth Conservation Corps
Earthworks
Earth Forum of Howard County
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Elizabeth River Project
Environmental Integrity Project
Environmental Justice Center of Chestnut Hill United Church
Environmental Working Group
Experience Learning
Float Fishermen of Virginia
Friends of Accotink Creek
Friends of Frederick County
Friends of Herring Run Park
Friends of Little Hunting Creek
Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek
Friends of Quincy Run
Friends of Sligo Creek
Friends of the Bohemia
Friends of the Cacapon River
Friends of Dyke Marsh
Friends of the Middle River
Friends of the Nanticoke River
Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
Friends of the Rappahannock
Friends of St. Clements Bay
Goose Creek Association
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
James River Association
Lackawanna River Conservation Association
Lancaster Farmland Trust
Little Falls Watershed Alliance
Lower Shore Land Trust
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper
Lynnhaven River NOW
Maryland Conservation Council
Maryland Environmental Health Network
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Maryland Native Plant Society
Maryland Nonprofits
Maryland Science Center
Mattawoman Watershed Society
Mid-Atlantic Council Trout Unlimited
Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper
Muddy Branch Alliance
National Aquarium
National Parks Conservation Association
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Resources Defense Council
Nature Abounds
NeighborSpace of Baltimore County
New York League of Conservation Voters
New York State Council of Trout Unlimited
Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
Otsego County Conservation Association
Otsego Land Trust
Partnership for Smarter Growth
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust
PennEnvironment
PennFuture
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited
Piedmont Environmental Council
Potomac Conservancy
Potomac Riverkeeper
Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
Queen Anne's Conservation Association
Preservation Maryland
Rachel Carson Council
Restore America's Estuaries
Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection
Richmond Audubon Society
Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Rock Creek Conservancy
St. Mary's River Watershed Association
Savage River Watershed Association
Severn River Association
Shenandoah Riverkeeper Shenandoah Valley Network
ShoreRivers
Sidney Center Improvement Group
Sierra Club--Maryland Chapter
Sleepy Creek Watershed Association
Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
SouthWings
Susquehanna Heritage
Talbot Preservation Alliance
The Downstream Project
Transition Howard County
Trash Free Maryland
Trout Unlimited
Upper Potomac Riverkeeper
Upper Susquehanna Coalition
Virginia Association of Biological Farming
Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Warm Springs Watershed Association
Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.
Waterkeepers Chesapeake
West Virginia Citizen Action Group
West Virginia Environmental Council
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
West Virginia Rivers Coalition
Wetlands Watch
Wicomico Environmental Trust
[This statement was submitted by Peter J. Marx, contractor for the
Choose Clean Water Coalition.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is pleased
to share our views on the Department of Commerce's fiscal year 2020
budget and has identified the following funding needs:
$122.5 million for Salmon Management Activities of which:
--$26.6 million supports Mitchell Act Programs to implement reforms
called for in the ``Conservation of Columbia Basin Fish'' and
the Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion, of
which $6.7 million (or 25 percent of the enacted amount) is
directed to the Tribes to enhance natural stock recovery
programs;
--$95.9 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty, of which $42.3 million
is annual operations for the implementation of the 2019-2028
Agreement, and $53.6 million is one-time funding for specific
projects to support the implementation of the 2019-2028
Agreement.
$70 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to support on-
the-ground salmon restoration activities.
BACKGROUND: The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
(CRITFC) was founded in 1977 by the four Columbia River treaty Tribes:
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated
Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes
and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and Nez Perce Tribe. CRITFC provides
coordination and technical assistance to the Tribes in regional,
national and international efforts to protect and restore the fisheries
and fish habitat.
In 1855, the United States entered into treaties with the four
Tribes.\1\ The Tribes' ceded millions of acres of our homelands to the
U.S. and the U.S. pledged to honor our ancestral rights, including the
right to fish at all usual and accustomed places. Unfortunately, a long
history of hydroelectric development, habitat destruction and over-
fishing by non-Indians brought the salmon resource to the edge of
extinction with 12 salmon and steelhead trout populations in the
Columbia River basin listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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\1\ Treaty with the Yakama Tribe, June 6, 1855, 12 Stat. 951;
Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon, June 25, 1855, 12 Stat. 963;
Treaty with the Umatilla Tribe, June 9, 1855, 12 Stat. 945; Treaty with
the Nez Perce Tribe, June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 9
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Today, the treaties form the bedrock of fisheries management. The
CRITFC Tribes are among the most successful fishery managers in the
country leading restoration efforts and working with State, Federal and
private entities. CRITFC's comprehensive plan, Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-
Wit, outlines principles and objectives designed to halt the decline of
salmon, lamprey and sturgeon populations and rebuild the fisheries to
levels that support Tribal ceremonial, subsistence and commercial
harvests. To achieve these objectives, the plan emphasizes strategies
that rely on natural production, healthy rivers and collaborative
efforts.
CRITFC and our member Tribes are principal implementers of actions
laid out in three landmark agreements: (1) the recently extended
Columbia Basin Fish Accords with Federal action agencies overseeing the
Federal hydro system in the Columbia Basin,\2\ (2) a new 10-Year
Fisheries Management Plan with Federal, Tribal and State parties under
U.S. v. Oregon, and (3) a new Chinook Chapter of the Pacific Salmon
Treaty.\3\ These agreements establish regional and international
commitments on harvest and fish production efforts, commitments to
critical investments in habitat restoration, and resolving contentious
issues by seeking balance of the many demands within the Columbia River
basin. We have successfully secured other funds to support our efforts
to implement these agreements, including funds from the Bonneville
Power Administration (BPA), the Department of Interior, and the
Southern Fund of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, to name just few. Continued
Federal funding support is needed to accomplish the management
objectives embodied in the agreements.
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\2\ The Nez Perce Tribe is not a Columbia Basin Fish Accord
signatory
\3\ See Salmon Win A Triple Crown'' at http://www.critfc.org/text/
wana_109.pdf
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Columbia River (Mitchell Act) Hatchery Program.--Restoring Pacific
salmon and providing for sustainable fisheries requires using the
Columbia River Mitchell Act hatchery program to supplement naturally
spawning stocks and populations. To accomplish this goal, $26.6 million
is requested for the Tribal and State co-managers to jointly reform the
Mitchell Act hatchery program. Of this amount, $6.7 million, or 25
percent of enacted funding, will be made available to the Columbia
River Treaty Tribes for supplementation (natural stock recovery)
programs. The Mitchell Act program provides regional economic benefits.
NOAA Fisheries estimates that the program generates about $38 million
in income and supports 870 jobs.
Since 1982, CRITFC has called for hatchery reform to meet recovery
needs and meet mitigation obligations. In 1991, this subcommittee
directed that ``Mitchell Act hatcheries be operated in a manner so as
to implement a program to release fish in the upper Columbia River
basin above the Bonneville Dam to assist in the rebuilding of upriver
naturally-spawning salmon runs.'' Since 1991, we have made progress in
increasing the upstream releases of salmon including Mitchell Act fish
that have assisted the rebuilding and restoration of naturally-spawning
upriver runs of chinook and coho. These efforts need to continue.
We now face the challenges of managing for salmon populations
listed for protection under the ESA, while also meeting mitigation
obligations. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for
operation of Columbia River basin hatcheries released by NOAA in 2016
illustrates the conundrum we face. While the FEIS, which assumes level
funding for Mitchell Act hatcheries, it also points out the need for
hatchery reform. The implementation scenario for the preferred
alternative calls for substantial reductions in hatchery releases of
fall chinook. Under the preferred alternative the future is increased
regulation under the ESA, resulting in more constrained fisheries along
the west coast. The funding for the Mitchell Act program should be
increased along with natural stock recovery program reform
(supplementation) so that we can make progress towards ESA delisting.
This would transition the Mitchell Act program to a much more effective
mitigation program.
We support hatchery reform to aid in salmon recovery while meeting
mitigation obligations. The CRITFC Tribes are leaders in designing and
managing hatchery facilities to aid in salmon restoration and believe
similar practices need to be implemented throughout the basin to reform
current hatchery production efforts. Years of inadequate funding have
taken a toll resulting in deteriorating facilities that do not serve
our objectives.
Evidence to Support Tribal Salmon Restoration Programs under the
Mitchell Act.--The Tribes' approach to salmon recovery is to put fish
back in to the rivers and protect the watersheds where fish live.
Scientific documentation of Tribal supplementation success is available
upon request. The evidence is seen by the increasing returns of salmon
in the Columbia River Basin. Wild spring chinook salmon are returning
in large numbers to the Umatilla, Yakima and Klickitat tributaries.
Coho in the Clearwater River are now abundant after Snake River coho
was once declared extinct. Fish are returning to the Columbia River
Basin and it is built on more than 30 years of Tribal projects.
Once considered for listing under the ESA, only 20,000 fall chinook
returned to the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River in the early
1980's. This salmon run has been rebuilt through the implementation of
the Vernita Bar agreement of the mid-1980s combined with a hatchery
program that incorporated biologically appropriate salmon that spawn
naturally upon their return to the spawning beds. Today, the Hanford
Reach fall chinook run is one of the healthiest runs in the basin
supporting fisheries in Alaska, Canada, and the mainstem Columbia
River. In 2013, close to 700,000 Fall Chinook destined for the Hanford
Reach entered the Columbia River, which was a record since the
construction of Bonneville Dam.
In the Snake River Basin, fall chinook has been brought back from
the brink of extinction. Listed as threatened under the ESA, the
estimated return of naturally-spawning Snake River fall chinook
averaged 328 adults from 1986-1992. In 1994, fewer than 2,000 Snake
River fall chinook returned to the Columbia River Basin. Thanks to the
Nez Perce Tribe's modern supplementation program fall chinook are
rebounding and the Snake River fall chinook is well on their way to
recovery and ESA delisting. In 2013, about 56,000 fall chinook made it
past Lower Granite Dam. Of those, approximately 21,000 were wild, twice
the previous record for wild returns since the dam was constructed in
1975.
A Request for Review of Salmon Mass-Marking Programs.--CRITFC
endeavors to secure a unified hatchery strategy among Tribal, Federal
and State co-managers. To that end, we seek to build hatchery programs
using the best available science and supported by adequate, efficient
budgets. A Congressional requirement, delivered through prior
appropriations language, to visibly mark all salmon produced in
federally funded hatcheries should be reconsidered. We have requested
that Federal mass-marking requirements, and correlated funding, be
reviewed for compatibility with our overall objective of ESA delisting
and with prevailing laws and agreements: U.S. v Oregon, Pacific Salmon
Treaty and the Columbia Basin Fish Accords.\4\
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\4\ Letter from Bruce Jim, Chairman, Columbia River Inter-Tribal
Fish Commission to U.S. House of Representatives Chairmen Frank Wolf,
Mike Simpson and Doc Hastings, July 11, 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salmon managers should be provided the latitude to make case-by-
case decisions whether to mark fish and, if so, in the appropriate
percentages.
Pacific Salmon Treaty Program.--CRITFC supports the U.S. Section
recommendation of $95.5 million for implementation of the revised
Pacific Salmon Treaty (Treaty). Of this amount, $26.4 million is for
the Pacific Salmon Treaty's obligations for base program with Alaska,
Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and NOAA. In addition, we support $1.8
million as first provided in 1997 to carry out necessary research and
management activities to implement the abundance-based management
approach of the Chinook Chapter to the Treaty. The recommended amount
represents an increase of $19.4 million from base level for the States
to implement the provisions, management and technical changes adopted
by the U.S. and Canada in the recently completed revised Annex
Chapters. The U.S. Section recommends the following funding levels to
improve the coded wire tag program ($2,500,000) to improve Puget Sound
critical stocks ($4,800,000 annually and $27,800,000 one-time funding)
and continue to enhance in transboundary rivers ($367,000). These funds
are subjected annually to a strict technical review process. Funding
bas level program for the States has remained the same since the treaty
was signed in 1985, despite additional management responsibilities.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Program (PCSRF).--The PCSRF program
was developed in 2000 by the State of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest
States, and the treaty Tribes since the renewal of the Pacific Salmon
Treaty in 1995 to fulfill the unmet needs for the conservation and
restoration of salmon stocks shared in the Tribal, State, and
international fisheries. Since that time, the number of entities
eligible for receiving funding has grown.
The PCSRF has funded 368 Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, Nez Perce,
and CRITFC Tribal salmon recovery projects. These projects have
contributed greatly to the sustainability of Columbia Basin salmon
species and their habitat. Accomplishments include 1,660 stream miles
being protected; 411 miles of stream made accessible to salmon; 4,950
acres of riparian area treated; 11,341 acres conserved by acquisition
or lease; and 1.2 million salmon fry/smolts released annually. The
PCSRF is vital to fulfill the region's goal of full salmon recovery and
sustainability of the fishery.
The co-managers have developed an extensive matrix of performance
standards to address accountability and performance standards, which
includes the use of monitoring protocols to systematically track
current and future projects basin-wide. The PCSRF projects implemented
are based on the best science, adequately monitored and address the
limiting factors affecting salmon restoration. Projects undertaken by
the Tribes are consistent with CRITFC's salmon restoration plan and the
programmatic areas identified by Congress.
We recommend a funding level at $70 million for the PCSRF fiscal
year 2020 allocation. Long-term economic benefits can be achieved by
making PCSRF investments on-the- ground to rebuild sustainable,
harvestable salmon populations into the future.
In Summary.--The CRITFC and our four member Tribes have developed
the capacity and infrastructure to become the regional leaders in
restoring and rebuilding salmon populations of the Columbia Basin. Our
collective efforts protect our treaty reserved fishing rights and
provides healthy, harvestable salmon populations for all citizens to
enjoy. This is a time when increased effort and participation are
demanded of all of us and we ask for your continued support of a
coordinated, comprehensive effort to restore the shared salmon resource
of the Columbia and Snake River Basins. We will be pleased to provide
any additional information that this subcommittee may require.
[This statement was submitted by Jaime A. Pinkham, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership
nsf, noaa, and nasa
On behalf of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), which
represents the leading ocean science, research, and technology
organizations from academia, industry, and philanthropy (to include
aquariums), I appreciate the opportunity to submit for the record our
fiscal year 2020 funding priorities for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation
(NSF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As
a maritime Nation, our national, homeland, energy, food, water, and
economic securities, as well as our public health and safety, depend on
a healthy ocean--which in turn depends on ocean science and
technology--a concept I refer to as ``ocean security.'' This
understanding enables us to have advance notice of oncoming hurricanes,
to sustainably manage fish populations, to let boat operators know when
there's rough weather ahead, to allow for the safety of maritime
commerce, to forecast harmful algal blooms, and so much more that helps
protect our Nation, its infrastructure, and its prosperity. I hope that
as the subcommittee makes funding decisions for fiscal year 2020, you
will provide the needed support for programs, many of which are
outlined below, that advance our Nation's ocean security, ensuring we
remain an economically competitive, scientifically literate nation
secure in our access to food, water, and energy.
Many of the issues addressed in this testimony are cross-cutting.
The importance of observing our ocean doesn't exist in a vacuum but
instead includes NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), NSF's
Ocean Observatories Initiative, and NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud,
ocean Ecosystem mission (to name just a few). Advancing science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education falls to, among
others, NOAA's Office of Education, NASA's Office of STEM Engagement,
and NSF's Education and Human Resources. But it's not just the Federal
ocean science community investing in these and other similar
enterprises; there are more than 600 businesses engaged in ocean
observation and forecasting; over 400 postsecondary institutions that
provide ocean-related certificates or degrees; and in excess of 45,000
nonprofits focused on ocean and coastal activities. To share
information, observations, technology, and best practices, cross-sector
and interagency collaboration are necessary. To this end, the National
Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), a congressionally mandated
program established in 1997, is an ideal vehicle to advance
collaborative efforts and already has been involved with funding
projects such as IOOS, the Argo Project, and the JASON project. To
fully utilize NOPP and facilitate the success of projects promoting
national goals (national security, economic prosperity, quality of
life) related to ocean knowledge, I respectfully request the
subcommittee provide $16 million in NOPP funding--$8 million to NOAA
and $8 million to NASA. I thank the subcommittee for their support of
the program throughout the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process.
national oceanic and atmospheric administration
For NOAA to fully execute its mission of service and science, I
respectfully request $6.5 billion for the agency, in addition to
support to other programs highlighted below.
Ocean observations are a requisite first step when it comes to
understanding the ocean. Without temperature data, we can't know who
needs to evacuate from a hurricane's path; without depth data, we can't
tell if the shipping channel is deep enough for a vessel to pass
through safely; without chemical analysis, we can't get notice that
changing pH will wipe out a shellfish farm; without knowing the
biodiversity of an area, we can't tell if it should be a marine
sanctuary or a potential site for offshore wind development. The U.S
Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a coordinated network of
technologies (such as gliders, satellites, buoys, underwater vehicles,
and tide gauges) that generate continuous data on our coasts, ocean,
and Great Lakes. Building and leveraging local and regional
partnerships ensures IOOS' efficiency and provides the infrastructure
needed to support jobs, the economy, maritime safety, and environmental
health. To ensure we continue to collect data and increase our ocean
observations, I respectfully request $50.5 million for U.S. IOOS in
fiscal year 2020. This includes $3.2 million to install high-frequency
radar systems to close gaps in surface current mapping; $3.5 million
for underwater gliders to detect harmful algal blooms, ensure safe
navigation, and improve hurricane warnings; $4.3 million for research
and development; and funding to integrate Federal and non-Federal data
and coordinate across NOAA and the 17 Federal IOOS agencies.
Hand-in-hand with ocean observations is ocean exploration. NOAA's
Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), the only Federal
organization dedicated to ocean exploration, has not only made
significant discoveries but has captured public imagination about our
blue planet. Exploring the more than 1.3 billion cubic kilometers of
water that makes up our global ocean involves more than just OER but
other Federal and State agencies, nonprofits, private industry, and
academic institutions. I respectfully request the subcommittee fund OER
at $50 million and that report language address the importance of
collaboration and coordination among Federal and State agencies,
academic institutions, industry, and other oceanographic partners to
maximize return on investment and advance shared data, science and
public engagement, and innovative technology.
I thank the subcommittee for continuing to recognize the importance
of STEM education and extension programs, despite repeated attempts by
the administration to eliminate many of them. I respectfully request
$12 million for NOAA's Bay-Watershed Education and Training and $8
million for NOAA's Environmental Literacy Program. The two goals of
NOAA's agency-wide education strategic plan required by the America
COMPETES Act are workforce development and environmental literacy,
where formal and informal education and outreach create an
environmentally literate society. Sustained and adequate funding for
these programs not only advances NOAA's mission but grows the STEM
workforce, strengthens our economy, and ensures our national security.
As the longest-standing and most comprehensive national grants program
with a focus on environmental literacy, ELP grants have and will
continue to keep our coastal communities--and our Nation as a whole--
safe, secure, and prosperous. Adequately funding ELP will allow
programs such as the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a quiz-bowl
style ocean science competition for high schoolers that has received
ELP funding during its 22-year history, to flourish. The NOSB alone has
graduated tens of thousands of students from high school with a solid
ocean science foundation who go on to careers that advance our Nation
and keep it secure.
For more than 50 years, the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea
Grant) has supported coastal and Great Lakes communities, improving
community and economic resiliency, ensuring the health of coastal
ecosystems, and advancing environmental literacy and workforce
education. Between February 2016 and January 2017, Sea Grant's
research, extension, and education resulted in 1.4 million acres of
restored or protected habitat, 494 communities with improved
resilience, and 2,002 seafood HAACP safety certifications. The $74
million in Federal investments in 2016 resulted in a $611 million
economic benefit. I respectfully request $93.5 million for the National
Sea Grant College Program in fiscal year 2020.
The importance of programs that address emerging issues cannot be
understated. One of these, NOAA's Marine Debris Program, has grown in
importance and visibility as scientists and the public better
understand the widespread impact of the ocean plastic problem. I
respectfully request $10 million for this program to evaluate, track,
and clean up debris that threatens ocean health.
national science foundation
As the only Federal agency tasked with supporting all fields of
fundamental science and engineering (except medical sciences), NSF is
vital to our nation's scientific enterprise, today and tomorrow. I
respectfully request $9 billion for NSF ``to promote the progress of
science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to
secure the national defense'' in fiscal year 2020.
I want to thank the subcommittee for providing $127 million in
fiscal year 2019 to finish out the final year of a three-year funding
profile to complete construction of all three Regional Class Research
Vessels (RCRVs). With more modern technology and abilities than
previous generations, these long-awaited RCRVs will provide even more
access to the marine realm, and I respectfully request the subcommittee
maintain full support for these critical research vessels.
As with NOAA, STEM education at NSF plays a vital role in securing
our national, homeland, economic, energy, food, and water securities.
Broadening the backgrounds of scientists to represent all people across
our Nation, better reflecting our diversity of gender, race, class, and
perspective, is a critical for all STEM fields--not just ocean science.
A diverse, STEM-literate workforce strengthens our Nation's economy and
is vital to maintaining the nation's leadership in science and
technology innovation. It's imperative to reinforce the importance of
funding Federal programs that empower underrepresented groups to become
the next generation of ocean-STEM leaders at every educational and
technical level. The NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of
Communities and Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering
and Science) program aims to increase access to and participation in
STEM learning by demographic groups with historically low participation
in these fields. Programs such as this--that support a more diversified
academic core in the science and technology workforce--are key to
growing our blue economy.
national aeronautics and space administration
While images of faraway galaxies lead to a desire for space
exploration, equally memorable are photos of our planet as seen from
space. While the administration's desire for space exploration is
exciting, it should not come at the expense of understanding our own
home. I respectfully request $7.25 billion for the Science Mission
Directorate and $2.5 billion for NASA Earth Science. This should
include support for the agency's Earth-facing missions, including those
proposed for elimination in the president's budget request,
specifically the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE)
mission and the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory
(CLARREO) Pathfinder instrument. Both of these were recommendations
from the 2007 Earth Science decadal survey. As support is thrown behind
the space-based efforts at NASA, let's not forget how space-based ocean
science can inform research related to ocean work on other moons and
planets.
In closing, it is clear that ocean science and technology
strengthen our national and homeland security; underpin our economy;
ensure food, water, and energy security; and provide for safety and
efficiency in marine transportation. To ensure this ocean security upon
which we all depend, our Federal ocean science agencies and programs
must be adequately and consistently funded. While the Cold War may
remain a distant memory today, the late Admiral James D. Watkins, chief
of naval operations from 1982-1986, used to state, ``Oceanography won
the Cold War.'' Our knowledge of the undersea domain gave the United
States a competitive advantage over our enemies. That advantage is in
jeopardy today--not just in comparison to Federal ocean science
investments by our competitors but in comparison to oceanographic
threats. In 30 years, will we say oceanography helped us win the ``cold
war'' against harmful algal blooms, ocean plastic, changing climate and
ocean conditions, and illegal fishing? Only if we have a prosperous,
sustainable, well-understood ocean, and we will only achieve that with
Federal investments.
As you work to provide funding for these critical programs, COL and
our member institutions are doing all we can to give you the
subcommittee allocations necessary to fully fund these programs as we
continue to encourage the creation of a bipartisan budget agreement
that raises the discretionary spending caps. I know you face difficult
decisions that involve offsets and divestments to achieve a balanced
budget. COL and our members stand ready to engage in discussion to help
establish priorities around the ocean security framework to support
these difficult decisions. Thank you for your exemplary leadership and
dedicated work and for the opportunity to provide input into fiscal
year 2020 appropriations.
col members
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
College of William & Mary
Columbia University(LDEO)
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Duke University
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Harte Research Institute
Louisiana State University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Mote Marine Laboratory
Old Dominion University
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Rutgers University
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography(UGA)
Stanford University
Stony Brook University
Texas A&M University
US Naval Postgraduate School
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of California(UC) Davis
UC San Diego(Scripps)
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Hawaii
Center for Environmental Science(UMD)
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
University of Miami
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina(UNC) Chapel Hil
UNC Wilmington
University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Texas Austin
University of Washington
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
AOOS
Alaska SeaLife Center
Aquarium of the Pacific
Arctic Research Consortium of the US
Consumer Energy Alliance
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
Dalhousie University
Earth2Ocean
East Carolina University
Estuary & Ocean Science Center, SFSU
Florida Institute of Oceanography
Moore Foundation
Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute
IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
IOOS Association
Johns Hopkins University APL
Marine Technology Society
MARACOOS
Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute
Mystic Aquarium
National Aquarium
NOIA
NERACOOS
North Carolina State University
North Pacific Research Board
Nova Southeastern University
Savannah State University
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Southeastern Universities Research Association
US Arctic Research Commission
University of Maine
Ocean Networks Canada
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences
ASV Global LLC
Chevron USA
Eastman Chemical Company
Esri
Exocetus Autonomous Systems
L-3 MariPro Inc
Liquid Robotics Inc
Sea-Bird Scientific
Severn Marine Technologies LLC
Shell Exploration and Production Company
Sonardyne, Inc
Teledyne CARIS
Teledyne RD Instruments
Vulcan Inc
[This statement was submitted by RADM Jonathan White, USN (Ret.),
President and CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Consortium of Social Science Associations
funding for the national science foundation, census bureau, national
institute of justice, and bureau of justice statistics
On behalf of the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA),
I offer this written testimony for inclusion in the official committee
record. For fiscal year 2020, COSSA urges the Committee to appropriate
$9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), $8.45 billion for
the Census Bureau, $46.5 million for the National Institute of Justice
(NIJ), and $48 million for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
First, I wish to thank the subcommittee for its longstanding
support for Federal science agencies. Despite tough, ongoing fiscal
challenges, the subcommittee has continued to maintain funding for
basic research as a top priority. This would not be possible without
science champions such as yourselves. Thank you.
COSSA serves as a united voice for a broad, diverse network of
organizations, institutions, communities, and stakeholders who care
about a successful and vibrant social science research enterprise. We
represent the collective interests of all STEM disciplines engaged in
the rigorous study of why and how humans behave as they do as
individuals, groups and within institutions, organizations, and
society.
Social and behavioral science research is supported across the
Federal Government, including at the National Science Foundation and
the Department of Justice. Further, Federal statistics produced by the
Census Bureau and other Federal statistical agencies provide important
data needed to conduct social science research that informs policy
decisions. Taken together, Federal social and behavioral science and
statistical data help provide answers to complex, human-centered
questions.
To cite just a few examples: \1\
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\1\ More examples at https://www.whysocialscience.com
--Major leaps in emulating human mental capabilities in the fields of
information technology and computer science, such as in machine
translation and artificial intelligence, have been possible
thanks to basic linguistic research.
--Anthropologists applied expertise in cultural practices to guide
policy and shape interventions and strategy in combatting the
Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
--Research in psychology and economics has shown that individuals are
not saving enough for retirement and led to enactment of the
Pension Protection Act of 2006, encouraging the use of
practices such as automatic enrollment, employer contribution,
contribution escalation, and qualified default investment
alternative practices.
In short, knowledge derived from social and behavioral science
research has made our population healthier, our democracy fairer, our
Nation safer, and our economy stronger. Without these sciences, policy-
making on major national and global issues would not be based on
evidence, and billions of dollars would be wasted.
national science foundation
COSSA joins the broader scientific community and the 37 Senators
who signed the April 8, 2019 bipartisan letter in support of at least
$9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year
2020. NSF and the broader U.S. scientific enterprise require stability,
predictability, and sustainable funding growth, as well as Federal
policies that are patient and can tolerate a reasonable amount of risk
in order to achieve the greatest payoff.
NSF is the only U.S. Federal agency tasked with supporting basic
scientific research across all fields of science. NSF supports about a
quarter of all federally-funded basic scientific research conducted at
colleges and universities nationwide and serves as the largest single
funder of university-based basic social and behavioral science
research. Though the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Directorate (SBE)-one of seven research directorates at NSF-represents
less than 5 percent of the entire NSF research budget, it supports
around two-thirds of total Federal funding for academic basic research
in the social and behavioral sciences (excluding psychology). As the
primary funding source for the majority of our disciplines, stagnant or
reduced funding for SBE has an outsized impact on the social and
behavioral science community-and resulting discoveries-simply because
of the centrality of the directorate to the research community.
Further, while by far the smallest of the research directorates,
SBE's impact is huge. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine stated in its 2017 consensus report, The Value of Social,
Behavioral, and Economic Sciences to National Priorities, that ``nearly
every major challenge the United States faces-from alleviating
unemployment to protecting itself from terrorism-requires understanding
the causes and consequences of people's behavior. Even societal
challenges that at first glance appear to be issues only of medicine or
engineering or computer science have social and behavioral
components.'' \2\
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\2\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24790/the-value-of-social-
behavioral-and-economic-sciences-to-national-priorities
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While continuing to serve as the home for basic scientific
discovery, NSF has also been planning and funding research activities
as part of its 10 Big Ideas for Future Investment over the last several
years. The concepts, goals, and directions of the Big Ideas are
exciting and promise to push the frontiers of science. However, we
remain concerned about NSF losing its defining characteristic, which is
to be the incubator for basic scientific discovery across all areas of
science. While we encourage support for the Big Ideas in fiscal year
2020, we hope that such investments do not come at the expense of NSF's
core research activities. NSF's investigator-initiated, discovery-
driven identity is what makes it special and has kept the American
science enterprise at the leading edge of innovation. COSSA urges the
Committee to ensure a balanced approach is taken within NSF to support
the 10 Big Ideas and NSF's core research activities.
census bureau
u.s. department of commerce
COSSA urges the Committee to appropriate $8.45 billion for the U.S.
Census Bureau, including at least $7.581 billion for the 2020 Census,
in fiscal year 2020. fiscal year 2020 will be the culmination of nearly
a decade of research, planning, testing, and preparation for the next
decennial census. As in previous decennial cycles, the Census year
requires a substantial appropriation from Congress to support the
massive scale of the Census operation, the Nation's largest non-
military mobilization. Further complicating 2020 preparations is the
potential addition of a citizenship question, which, while currently in
legal limbo, could be re-added to the questionnaire before Census Day.
Given the potential-and currently unquantified-impact this question
could have on self-response, it is crucial that the Bureau have
sufficient fiscal year 2020 funding to enable it to nimbly respond to
contingencies like this to protect the quality of the Census.
Fiscal year 2020 funding will be used for a final push of
preparation ahead of Census Day, including opening field offices
nationwide, forming partnerships with local organizations, finalizing
the advertising campaign, and printing and packaging the mailings. Once
the decennial census has begun, efforts will continue to encourage
self-response by Internet, telephone, and paper; hundreds of thousands
of field staff will be trained and deployed to collect responses; and
the Bureau will work to coordinate the operations, data collection, and
data processing systems. As the count wraps up, the Census Bureau will
begin to process, analyze, and prepare the results for publication and
close out the massive operation. Underfunding the Census in its final
push towards Census Day on April 1, 2020 could undo years of work and
preparation, resulting in disastrous consequences for the accuracy of
the census count.
In addition, COSSA calls on Congress to fully fund the American
Community Survey (ACS) and maintain its status as a mandatory Federal
survey. The ACS is the only source of comparable, consistent, timely,
and high-quality demographic and socio-economic data for all
communities in the U.S. As a component of the Constitutionally-mandated
Decennial Census, the ACS is a ``mandatory'' national survey. The
accuracy of the data collected by the ACS relies on this mandatory
status. Targeted cuts and changes to make the survey voluntary would
significantly undermine the ability to collect usable data on all U.S.
counties, particularly in less populous, rural areas of the country.
national institute of justice and bureau of justice statistics
u.s. department of justice
COSSA urges the Committee to appropriate $46.5 million for the
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and $48 million for the Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS) within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in
fiscal year 2020. NIJ serves as the research and evaluation arm of the
Department of Justice, filling an important role in helping the agency
to understand and implement science-based strategies for crime
prevention and control. It supports rigorous social science research
that can be disseminated to criminal justice professionals to keep
communities safe. Both agencies received devastating cuts in fiscal
year 2019, making increases in fiscal year 2020 even more crucial as
NIJ and BJS must now address new congressional mandates, including
implementation of the FIRST STEP Act.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is one of 13 principal
Federal statistical agencies. BJS produces data that provides
statistical evidence needed by researchers and criminal justice policy
decision makers. Taken together with NIJ, these modest annual
investments represent the only dedicated sources of Federal research
support committed to enhancing our understanding of crime and the
criminal justice system, including around topics like victimization,
law enforcement, recidivism and reentry, drugs and crime, and Tribal
justice.
Numerous pressing criminal justice and law enforcement issues are
at the fore of public consciousness today, including understanding the
mental health needs of people involved in the justice system, the
drivers of domestic radicalization, effective solutions to opioid
addiction, and ways to improve police officer safety and community
relations. By working with jurisdictions at all levels to compile data
and support research, DOJ--through NIJ and BJS investments--provides
key insights that improve public safety. Making the results of this
research available to State and local officials and the public allows
justice and law enforcement professionals to learn what works, adopt
best practices, and improve public safety by leveraging the best
research and data to protect the public, reduce recidivism, and support
law enforcement and communities. Congress must prioritize Federal data
collection and research if we are to provide local, State, and Federal
officials with the information they need to develop strategies to
improve public safety in our communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer this statement. Please do
not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information.
Governing Associations
American Anthropological Association
American Association For Public Opinion Research
American Economic Association
American Educational Research Association
American Political Science Association
American Psychological Association
American Society of Criminology
American Sociological Association
American Statistical Association
Law And Society Association
Linguistic Society of America
Midwest Political Science Association
National Communication Association
Population Association of America
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society for Research in Child Development
[This statement was submitted by Wendy A. Naus, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of Demand Progress
Dear Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
subcommittee:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding the
fiscal year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Bill. I am testifying on behalf of Demand Progress, a
national grassroots organization with more than two million affiliated
activists who fight for the basic rights and freedoms needed for a
modern democracy. Our policy agenda encompasses civil liberties, civil
rights, money in politics, and government reform. Today we testify
regarding increasing transparency and accountability at the Department
of Justice, specifically with regard to the growing body of secret law
embedded within Office of Legal Counsel opinions.
the office of legal counsel
Opinions by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel
(``OLC'') can have the effect of law within the executive branch, but
they are regularly withheld from Congress and the public. The executive
branch withholds not only the substance of these opinions but also
basic information about them, such as when and to whom they are issued,
the subject of their analyses, and even how many are currently in
effect. Worse, the OLC may and has issued final opinions that are at
variance with interpretations of law made by Congress and the courts.
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
can take the first step toward addressing this problem by requiring the
Department of Justice to report on the volume of OLC opinions that have
been produced with taxpayers' money.
Office of Legal Counsel opinions pose a serious threat to the rule
of law, and secrecy around them has caused significant harm. For
example, the now-infamous ``torture memos,'' which declared legal under
domestic and international law life-threatening ``enhanced
interrogation techniques'' in secret CIA prisons, are, in fact, OLC
opinions.\1\ One of these opinions acknowledged three times that OLC
``cannot predict with confidence whether a court would agree with this
conclusion,'' but nevertheless concluded that the ``question is
unlikely to be subject to judicial inquiry.'' \2\ The Department of
Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility concluded that one
author, John Yoo, ``committed intentional professional misconduct when
he violated his duty to exercise independent legal judgment and render
thorough, objective, and candid legal advice.'' \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/world/reach-war-
interrogations-aides-say-memo-backed-coercion-already-use.html
\2\ https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/olc/legacy/2013/10/
21/memo-bradbury2005.pdf
\3\ https://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/natsec/opr20100219/
20090729_OPR_Final_Report_with_20100719--declassifications.pdf
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After the matter did encounter public scrutiny, then-Attorney
General Eric Holder articulated another power of OLC opinions: ``the
Department would not prosecute anyone who acted in good faith and
within the scope of the legal guidance given by the Office of Legal
Counsel regarding the interrogation of detainees.'' \4\ Office of Legal
Counsel opinions are similarly at the heart of a number of other
controversies, like whether a sitting president may be indicted,\5\
whether the president may use an autopen to sign a bill,\6\ under what
circumstances an American citizen can be targeted by a drone strike,\7\
the ban on immigrants from Muslim countries,\8\ and individuals'
eligibility for certain senior government positions.\9\
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\4\ https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-
regarding-investigation-interrogation-certain-detainees
\5\ https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/sitting-
president%E2%80%99s-amenability-indictment-and-criminal-prosecution
\6\ https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/whether-president-may-sign-
bill-directing-his-signature-be-affixed-it
\7\ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/legal-
memo-backing-drone-strike-is-released/2014/06/23/1f48dd16-faec-11e3-
8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html
\8\ https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3442905/EO-Foreign-
Terrorist-Entry.pdf
\9\ https://www.justice.gov/olc/file/1078061/download
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Withholding OLC opinions is not only against the interests of the
rule of law and transparency writ large, it is also at odds with
express Congressional intent and agency policy. Congress incorporated a
``presumption of openness'' in the 2016 FOIA Improvement Act, which
codified an Obama-era executive order that prohibited an agency from
withholding documents except in situations where disclosure would
result in foreseeable harm.\10\ In the context of OLC opinions
specifically, 20 prominent former OLC attorneys wrote a memorandum on
best practices in 2006 calling on the OLC to ``publicly disclose its
written legal opinions in a timely manner, absent strong reasons for
delay or nondisclosure.'' \11\ And the Office of Legal Counsel itself,
in a 2010 ``best practices'' memo, asserted that ``the Office operates
under the presumption that it should make its significant opinions
fully and promptly available to the public,'' including considering
``disclosing documents even if they technically fall within the scope
of a FOIA exemption.'' \12\
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\10\ Public Law No: 114-185, available at https://www.congress.gov/
bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/337/
\11\ https://web.archive.org/web/20090624234142/http://
www.acslaw.org/files/Microsoft%20Word%20-%2011--Johnsen_OLC.pdf
\12\ http://www.justice.gov/olc/pdf/olc-legal-advice-opinions.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Considering the guidance, policies, actions by Congress, and the
significance of OLC opinions detailed above, the policy of the Justice
Department should be to disclose all opinions to congress and the
public by default, except in certain limited circumstances. The
government instead argues, however, that OLC opinions are not final,
but rather ``predecisional'' and ``deliberative,'' putting them at
times outside the reach even of the Freedom of Information Act, an
argument with which some courts have agreed.\13\ This stands in
contrast to the OLC's ``best practices'' memorandum, which describes
its ``core function'' as providing ``controlling advice to Executive
Branch officials on questions of law that are centrally important to
the functioning of the Federal Government.'' \14\ That memorandum
further acknowledged that OLC is ``frequently asked to opine on issues
of first impression that are unlikely to be resolved by the courts''
and that in such circumstances ``OLC's advice may effectively be the
final word on the controlling law.'' \15\
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\13\ See https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/Internet/opinions.nsf/
BA847AE67CFA826785257C550053C612/$file/12-5363-1473387.pdf
\14\ https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/olc/legacy/2010/
08/26/olc-legal-advice-opinions.pdf
\15\ Id
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This subcommittee need not resolve all of the issues concerning OLC
opinions today. Rather, before this subcommittee is an opportunity to
assess the scope of secret law emanating from the Justice Department by
requiring a basic accounting of OLC opinions that are currently in
effect. The Department of Justice obscures the scope of the problems
discussed here, and makes OLC opinions even harder to reach through the
Freedom of Information Act, by failing to disclose even the existence
of an unknown number of OLC opinions. A 2012 review by the Sunlight
Foundation, for instance, found that the Department of Justice redacted
the titles of 36 percent of at least 509 opinions issued from 1998 to
2012.\16\
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\16\ https://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2012/08/15/39-of-office-
of-legal-counsel-opinions-kept-from-the-public/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We recognize that due to classification, national security, and
privacy concerns, not all OLC reports can be fully released to the
public. Nevertheless, there is an analogous situation with Federal
Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office. Several
executive branch IGs and other oversight institutions have found ways
to restrict access to sensitive reports without keeping the public in
the dark about the reports' existence. For example, the Department of
Defense Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office
currently provide basic information, such as a report title or report
number, in cases when some or all of a report's contents must remain
nonpublic. If the Department of Defense--which produces a large number
of classified and sensitive reports--can provide this level of
transparency, a similar remedy should suit the Office of Legal Counsel.
By providing this information, the Department of Justice would provide
the information it determines can be shared publicly, and would empower
the public to request the report through the Freedom of Information Act
when a dispute around publication persists.
In sum, an unknown subset of OLC opinions has been actively kept
secret by the executive branch from Congress and the public. Their
concealment undermines the system of checks and balances created by the
framers, and at times the withholding of these opinions has served to
conceal wrongdoing and faulty legal interpretations.\17\ This
subcommittee has the opportunity to take a step toward addressing this
body of secret law by requiring the Department of Justice take the
simple step of reporting to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations and the public a complete list of all final opinions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/washington/03intel.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We therefore request this subcommittee and the Appropriations
Committee include the following legislative language in the fiscal year
2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Bill and accompanying committee report:
Report to Committee on Office of Legal Counsel Opinions: Not
later than 90 days after enactment of this legislation, and
every 90 days thereafter, the Department of Justice shall
submit to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate
Committee on Appropriations and publish on its website a report
that includes the following:
(a) A complete list of final OLC opinions currently in
effect, where 'final' is defined as:
(1) designated by the Attorney General or his designee as
final; or
(2) government officials or government contractors are
following its guidance; or
(3) it has been relied upon to formulate current legal
guidance; or
(4) it is directly or indirectly cited in another final
Office of Legal Counsel opinion.
(b) For each opinion included in (a), the Department of
Justice shall include--
(1) The signer of the opinion;
(2) The recipient identified in the opinion;
(3) The date of issuance; and
(4) The title of the opinion, subject only to redactions
provided for by 5 USC Sec. 552 (b)(1), (b)(3)(A)(i), (b)(6),
and (b)(7) and only to the extent the specific interest
protected in withholding the information is greater than the
public interest in disclosure.\18\
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\18\ 5 USC Sec. 552 (b)(1), (b)(3)(A)(i), (b)(6), and (b)(7) are
the Freedom of Information Act exemptions for classified information,
information prohibited from disclosure by law, personnel and medical
files, and records compiled for law enforcement purposes.
We thank the subcommittee for the opportunity to submit this
testimony, and urge it to order this report to stave off a growing body
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
of secret law.
[This statement was submitted by Sean Vitka, Policy Counsel.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Ecological Society of America
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is the Nation's largest
society of professional ecologists representing over 10,000 members
across the country. We write to urge you to support at least $5.7
billion in funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 2020.
NOAA continues to serve as the nation's premier environmental
intelligence community, supporting U.S. economic growth and job
creation, enhancing public safety, and protecting and managing natural
resources. We urge you to preserve funding for NOAA and to make strong
investments in the agency and its research.
Strong Investments in NOAA Translate to Economic, Ecological, National
Security, and Public Health Benefits
Over half of the American population lives along our coasts. NOAA
provides critical data and services that are essential to protecting
these coastal communities, maintaining coastal economies, and managing
our coastal resources. NOAA contributes a range of atmospheric and
oceanic data, products, and services that benefit America's economy,
quality of life, and scientific competitiveness:
--Timely and accurate National Weather Service forecasts and warnings
that reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.
--Environmental monitoring, analysis, and data that reduce risks to
people and property.
--Maintenance and stewardship of valuable coastal and marine
resources, including sustainable management of fisheries.
--Innovative geostationary and polar satellite systems that provide
essential data and observations.
--Cutting-edge scientific research and development that has led to
new technologies and scientific advances.
Fiscal year 2020 Funding for Research and Critical Offices
Programs of importance to the ecological community are NOAA's
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), the National Ocean
Service (NOS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These
offices support intramural and extramural research critical to NOAA's
mission of managing marine and coastal resources to meet the Nation's
environmental, economic, and social needs.
OAR provides the essential research foundation for NOAA's work.
This office supports laboratories and programs across the U.S. and
collaborates with external partners, including 16 NOAA-funded
Cooperative Institutes and 33 Sea Grant Institutions. OAR research
contributes to accurate weather forecasts, enables communities to plan
for and respond to climate events such as drought, and enhances the
protection and management of the nation's coastal and ocean resources.
NOS and NMFS both play critical roles in the stewardship and
management of our nation's natural resources. NOS works to preserve and
enhance coastal resources, ecosystems, and economies. NMFS is
responsible for the stewardship of our ocean resources, providing the
science necessary to sustain and revitalize our fisheries and marine
habitats and ecosystems. ESA urges you to provide strong support for
these NOAA offices.
Robust Support for NOAA Is Critical to Our Nation's Resilience and
Scientific Leadership
NOAA is an essential agency that plays a key role not only in
understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, and oceans,
but also in protecting communities and ecosystems. We appreciate your
past support for this critical agency, and we urge you, in the interest
of ensuring our nation's continued and future resilience and scientific
leadership, to continue this support and provide $5.7 billion for NOAA
in fiscal year 2020. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
[This statement was submitted by Catherine O'Riordan, Executive.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Entomological Society of America
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) respectfully submits
this statement for the official record in support of funding for the
National Science Foundation (NSF). ESA requests a robust fiscal year
2020 appropriation of $9 billion for NSF, including strong support for
the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO).
Research in entomology and other basic biological sciences provides
the fundamental discoveries that advance knowledge and facilitate the
development of new technologies and strategies for addressing societal
challenges related to economic growth, national security, and human
health. Basic research on the biology of insects has provided
foundational insights across all areas of biology, including cell and
molecular biology, genomics, physiology, ecology, behavior, and
evolution. In turn, these insights have been applied toward meeting
challenges in a wide range of fields, including conservation biology,
habitat management, livestock production, and pest management.
Insects have long played an essential role as model organisms for
understanding basic biological processes across all organisms,
including humans. Insects are often ideal laboratory experimental
subjects because they are generally small and inexpensive to obtain,
they complete development rapidly, and they can be maintained without
the special facilities required for vertebrate animals.
The common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for example, has
been the subject of NSF-funded research that has profoundly transformed
the understanding of human health in countless ways. Equally important,
the ability to dramatically reduce the cost of sequencing genomes has
played a critical role in advancing science in the last two decades. In
2018, entomologists were able to complete one of the first genome
sequences by a single lab for under $1,000 using the fruit fly.\1\ This
breakthrough not only expanded the accessibility of genome sequencing,
but also changed the way scientists understand the fruit fly itself as
a model organism. Previously it was thought each fruit fly was
essentially genetically identical. This study revealed there are
significant differences in the sequences of many important genes,
indicating that genome variation is much greater than previously
believed. This will likely have tremendous medical value to patients,
healthcare workers, and scientists.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Solares, Edwin A et al. ``Rapid Low-Cost Assembly of the
Drosophila melanogaster Reference Genome Using Low-Coverage, Long-Read
Sequencing.'' G3 (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 8,\10\ 3143-3154. 19 Jul. 2018,
doi:10.1534/g3.118.200162.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSF is the only Federal agency that supports basic research across
all scientific and engineering disciplines, outside of the medical
sciences. Each year, the foundation supports an estimated 300,000
researchers, scientific trainees, teachers, and students, primarily
through competitive grants to approximately 2,000 colleges,
universities, and other institutions in all 50 States. NSF also plays a
critical role in training the next generation of scientists and
engineers, including through programs like the NSF Research
Traineeship, ensuring that the United States will remain globally
competitive in the future.
One program, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, selects and
supports science and engineering graduate students demonstrating
exceptional potential to succeed in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) careers. The NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship
and Postdoctoral Fellows Programs have also been instrumental in
supporting researchers at the forefront of soft robotics and space
exploration. Recently, NSF funded several projects focused on soft
robots, which are considered the best candidate for strong, mobile
robots for exploration of harsh and dangerous environments. NSF funded
successful projects to learn from insects to develop innovations in
robotics. The results include a ``robofly'' with biologically inspired
sensors for rapid flight stabilization \2,3\ the ``RoboBee'' project
which pioneered an amphibious, micro-scale autonomous robot,\4\ and
vision-guided perching robots.\5\ However, much is still unknown about
the exact physical and biological mechanisms insects use to sense,
move, and navigate through the world. For the United States to continue
to be a world leader in robotics innovation, it is critical to fund
research on the biology, physiology, and morphology of insects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Paul Yu Oh. Robotic Insect Flight Stabilization Using
Biomimetic Sensors. Award Number: 0412541.
\3\ https://www.nsf.gov/news/
news_videos.jsp?cntn_id=138802&media_id=80678&org=NSF.
\4\ https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/20781982/robobees-
may-lead-to-autonomous-robotic-insects.
\5\ https://news.psu.edu/story/532491/2018/08/21/research/
mechanical-engineering-faculty-studies-flying-insects-create-better.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through activities within the BIO Directorate, NSF advances the
frontiers of knowledge about complex biological systems at multiple
scales, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems. In
addition, the directorate contributes to the support of essential
research resources, including biological collections and field
stations. NSF BIO is also the Nation's primary funder of fundamental
research on biodiversity, ecology, and environmental biology.
One NSF BIO-supported project that illustrates the broad reach of
basic entomological research is focused on fundamental insect
physiology. The investigators are testing a hypothesis about the
mechanism insects use to transport blood, nutrients, and gases
throughout their bodies.\6\ Their research on these transport processes
will inform our understanding of insects' success as agricultural pests
and disease carriers as well as our ability to mitigate those traits. A
deeper knowledge of these transport systems will also provide insights
into those possessed by other animals and impact the design of new
mechanical systems. This investment has already led to the breakthrough
discovery of proteins found in carabid beetles with valuable
applications in bioengineering and biomedical technology. Carabid
beetles are special in their ability to produce caustic chemicals that
they spray as a defense mechanism against predators. Due to the toxic
nature of these chemicals, carabid beetles must have a way of producing
and, more importantly, storing these chemicals without harming their
own body. Using novel microscopy techniques, NSF-funded researchers
discovered that the gland system that produces, stores, and propels
these chemicals is comprised of an elastomeric protein called
resilin.\7\ In addition to furthering our understanding of the natural
world, the discovery of resilin in carabid beetle caustic chemical
secretory glands has biomedical and bioengineering applications due to
its impermeability, resistance to chemicals, and flexibility.
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\6\ Socha, John; Harrison, Jon; Miller, Laura; and Pendar, Hodjat.
A New Hypothesis for Cardio-respiratory Mechanics in Insects. Award
Number: 1558052.
\7\ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S146780391830183X.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSF BIO also supports the development of technologies that directly
impact economic sectors that are highly dependent on entomology. NSF
recently awarded funding for a Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR) Phase I project aimed at ensuring healthier honey bee
populations through data analysis and modeling.\8\ The project seeks to
build newer and more robust algorithms capable of autonomously
analyzing data generated by networked sensors placed in beehives. The
information derived from the resultant data sets could then be used to
develop models capable of predicting the infiltration of pests and
disease in hives before it actually occurs. Ultimately, the successful
commercialization of this technology could revolutionize an entire
agricultural sector that has suffered significantly because of honey
bee colony collapse.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Symes, Ellie. SBIR Phase I: Data Analytics on Honebee Hives
Using IoT Sensor Data. Award Number: 1746862.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to funding research, NSF BIO plays a critical role in
the curation, maintenance, and enhancement of physical-biological
collections. These collections and their associated data sets serve a
variety of purposes, and while they are particularly important to the
field of entomology, their value to the broader scientific enterprise
cannot be overstated. Physical collections enable the rapid
identification and mitigation of costly invasive pests that affect
agriculture, forestry, and human and animal health. This is only
achievable because such collections are continuously being updated to
reflect environmental changes, evolutionary developments, and shifting
migratory patterns of invasive species around the world. NSF also
supports workshops designed to provide hands-on training in collections
curation and management, with a particular emphasis on students and
early-career researchers.\9\ Workshops like this, across numerous
disciplines, help ensure the long-term availability of a STEM-trained
workforce.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Song, Hojun and Shockley, Floyd. Towards a Sustainable
Management of Insect Collections in the U.S. through the Entomological
Collections Management Workshop. Award Number: 1640919.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While collections-focused awards like that mentioned above are
encouraging, ESA is concerned by the continued downward trend of
Federal funding for biological collections. Recent advancements in
imaging, digitization, and data collection and storage technologies
have caused some to question the necessity of continued support for
existing biological collections. This uncertainty has previously
prompted the suspension of the NSF Collections in Support of Biological
Research (CSBR), which supports scientifically valuable collections
that contribute to domestic homeland security, public health,
agriculture and food security, and environmental sustainability. ESA
recognizes that technological development is spurring substantive
discussion about the future of biological collections, but given their
continuing relevance and broad application, ESA firmly supports
continued Federal investment in these collections.
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, ESA supports an
overall fiscal year 2020 NSF budget of $9 billion. ESA requests robust
support for the NSF BIO Directorate, which funds important research
studies and biological collections, enabling discoveries in the
entomological sciences to contribute to understanding environmental and
evolutionary biology, physiological and developmental systems, and
molecular and cellular mechanisms.
ESA, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, is the largest organization
in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of
entomologists and individuals in related disciplines. As the largest
and one of the oldest insect science organizations in the world, ESA
has over 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health
agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers,
teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing
representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, pest
management professionals, and hobbyists.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer the Entomological Society of
America's support for NSF research programs. For more information about
the Entomological Society of America, please see http://
www.entsoc.org/.
[This statement was submitted by Robert K.D. Peterson, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Federation of American Societies for
Experimental Biology
national science foundation
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
(FASEB) respectfully requests a minimum of $9.0 billion in fiscal year
2020 for the National Science Foundation.
With its broad mandate to support fundamental research across all
fields of science, engineering, and mathematics, the National Science
Foundation (NSF) is the cornerstone of our Nation's scientific
enterprise.\1\ NSF investments in discovery-based research at
institutions nationwide generate new knowledge, which in turn leads to
transformative innovations that enhance quality of life.
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\1\ https://www.nsf.gov/about
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Web browsers, modern weather forecasting, and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) are just a few of the tangible benefits enabled by NSF-
funded research.\2,3\
Many of these advances result from NSF's relationship to other
scientific agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For example, in the biological sciences, NSF supports research that
expands our understanding of life at multiple scales of time and space,
from molecules to ecosystems.\3\ This fundamental knowledge is then
applied to advance medicine, enhance agriculture, stimulate new
technologies, and protect our health and environment. For example, NSF
supported 2018 Nobel-prize winning research that led to the development
of directed enzyme evolution, a revolutionary technology now used to
produce pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and pesticide alternatives.\4\
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\2\ Transforming the World Through Science. National Science
Foundation, Alexandria, VA
\3\ NSF Sensational 60. National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA
\4\ Celebrating 2018 Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold, National
Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA
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NSF is uniquely positioned to support interdisciplinary
collaboration, research facilities, and scientific resources to meet
national challenges. By harnessing expertise and technology from across
the sciences, NSF-supported research is crucial in safeguarding our
national security and addressing the effects of global warming.
NSF also has a critical educational mission. The Foundation's
graduate and postdoctoral fellowships and other educational programs
underwrite the training of thousands of young scientists and engineers.
This investment ensures a technical and scientific workforce capable of
pursuing research and leading the innovative, dynamic industries of the
future.
Even as the demand for scientific research has dramatically grown,
the NSF budget has remained flat in real terms for 15 years (Figure 1).
The Federal Government must renew its commitment to fundamental,
discovery-based science.\5\ Providing NSF with a budget of $9.0 billion
($925 million above fiscal year 2019 \6\) would support about 1,000
additional research grants, enabling researchers to rapidly seize new
scientific opportunities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Innovation: An American Imperative
\6\ H.J.Res.31--Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019
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faseb fiscal year 2020 recommendation: at least $9.0 billion for nsf
Figure 1: NSF Appropriations, Fiscal Year 1997-2020
[This statement was submitted by Benjamin H. Krinsky, Associate
Director for Legislative Affairs.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral &
Brain Sciences
national science foundation fiscal year 2020 appropriations
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
subcommittee:
The Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences
(FABBS) appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony for the record
in support of the National Science Foundation budget for fiscal year
2020. FABBS represents 23 scientific societies and nearly 60 university
departments whose members and faculty share a commitment to advancing
knowledge of the mind, brain, and behavior. Understanding the human
element of our most pressing challenges through research in these
sciences will improve the welfare of our Nation, our society, and our
people. Fundamental research funded by the NSF helps to create a body
of knowledge and build future generations of scientists whose work will
be essential to keep this country at the forefront of discovery. As a
member of the Coalition for National Science Funding, FABBS joins the
broader scientific community in urging Congress to fund the NSF at $9
billion in fiscal year 2020.
Our members sincerely thank the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee for
the final budget level for the NSF in fiscal year 2019, a significant
and deeply needed increase over fiscal year 2018. While we recognize
that the subcommittee worked diligently to pass a timely budget for the
NSF, we feel obligated to mention the wastefulness of the extended shut
down. We thank you in advance for your efforts to complete the fiscal
year 2020 budget before the end on the fiscal year. Together with our
sister scientific societies, we have and will continue to bring
attention to the devastating effects of shutting down the NSF.
In addition to continually strengthening core research to generate
discovery and train and inspire those individuals doing the
discovering, the NSF funds critical infrastructure to sustain and grow
the Nation's scientific enterprise. We applaud the NSF for encouraging
interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation and continued progress
of its Big Ideas and Convergence Accelerators and agree strongly with
their position that funding for these new initiatives cannot come at
the expense of continued increased funding for core discipline research
in any of the research directorates. Indeed, the National Science Board
has estimated that in fiscal year 2017, nearly $1.6 billion in grants
evaluated by the NSF merit review process to be ``outstanding'' were
left unpursued due to lack of funding. We are, potentially, in a period
of tremendous growth and discovery. We need to be thinking about
attracting the next generation to build upon the knowledge that this
country needs to address its priorities in national security, defense,
health, education, economics, and more.
This committee has expressed a commitment to maintaining U.S.
leadership status in science and technology in an increasingly
competitive global economy. However, the NSF has not received the same
budget increases as other major research agencies during the same time
period. Furthermore, funding for the NSF has remained stagnant at a
time period when we are seeing rapid growth in Federal investment in
research and development from our global competitors. Increasing
Federal support for the NSF is vital in order to ensure our future
competitiveness.
While we write in support of the top line number for NSF, FABBS
members have a particular interest in the Directorate for Social,
Behavioral, and Economic (SBE) Sciences. FABBS members also appreciate
critical funding from the Computer and Information Science and
Engineering (CISE) and Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorates as well
as the Education and Human Resources (EHR) Directorate.
The SBE directorate provides an estimated 62 percent of the Federal
funding for fundamental research in SBE sciences at academic
institutions across the country. This means that our finest
universities and colleges are heavily dependent on the NSF to inform
discoveries from identifying vulnerabilities in the Nation's cyber-
networks to improving early detection and treatment of brain disorders
such as autism and Alzheimer's. The discoveries fueled by fundamental
SBE research provide a foundational understanding of human thought,
feeling, and behavior that is critical for making advances in several
of the NSF's Big Ideas--including Harnessing the Data Revolution, the
Future of Work at the Human-technology Frontier, and building an
inclusive community of STEM learners (NSF INCLUDES). An increase in the
NSF's 2020 budget would allow the agency to continue funding core
disciplinary research, as well as invest in the Big Ideas.
We recognize the pressing need to raise the budget caps.
Accordingly, we have been working in collaboration with the broad
scientific society, as well as with Federal, State and local
colleagues, in health, education, and hundreds of other groups affected
by non-defense discretionary funding to encourage members of Congress
to raise the caps so that we can complete the budget process keep our
government working.
Increasing Federal investment in fundamental scientific research
across all sciences is critical to ensuring the prosperity, security
and health of our Nation and its people. Thus, we urge you to provide
the National Science Foundation with $9 billion for fiscal year 2020.
Increased funding for fundamental scientific research would help set
the NSF on a solid path with potentially transformative benefits to the
country.
Thank you for considering this request.
fabbs member societies
American Educational Research Association, American Psychological
Association, Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback,
Association for Behavior Analysis, Behavior Genetics Association,
Cognitive Science Society, International Society for Developmental
Psychobiology, Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society, National
Academy of Neuropsychology, The Psychonomic Society, Society for
Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Society for Computers in Psychology,
Society for Judgement and Decision Making, Society for Mathematical
Psychology, Society for Psychophysiological Research, Society for the
Psychological Study of Social Issues, Society for Research in Child
Development, Society for Research in Psychopathology, Society for the
Scientific Study of Reading, Society for Text & Discourse, Society of
Experimental Social Psychology, Society of Multivariate Experimental
Psychology, Vision Sciences Society
fabbs affiliates
APA Division 1: The Society for General Psychology; APA Division 3:
Experimental Psychology; APA Division 7: Development Psychology; APA
Division 28: Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse; Arizona State
University; Binghamton University--Psychology; Boston College--
Psychology; Boston University--Psychology; California State University
at Fullerton--Psychological and Brain Sciences; Carnegie Mellon
University--Psychology; Columbia University--Psychology; Cornell
University--Psychology; Duke University--Psychology and Neuroscience;
Florida State University--Psychology; Georgetown University--
Psychology; George Washington University--Psychology; Georgia Institute
of Technology--Psychology; Harvard University--Psychology; Indiana
University Bloomington--Psychology; Indiana University Purdue
University Indianapolis--Psychology; Johns Hopkins University--
Psychological and Brain Sciences; Kent State University--Psychological
Sciences; Lehigh University--Psychology; New York University--
Psychology; Northeastern University--Psychology; Northwestern
University--Psychology; Ohio State University--Center for Cognitive and
Brain Sciences; Pennsylvania State University--Psychology; Princeton
University--Psychology; Purdue University--Psychological Sciences; Rice
University--Psychology; Southern Methodist University--Psychology;
Stanford University--Psychology; Syracuse University--Psychology;
Temple University--Psychology; University of Arizona--Psychology;
University of California at Berkeley--Psychology; University of
California at Davis--Psychology; University of California at Irvine--
Psychology; University of California at Los Angeles--Psychology;
University of California at Riverside--Psychology; University of
California at San Diego--Psychology; University of Chicago--Psychology;
University of Cincinnati--Psychology; University of Delaware--
Psychological & Brain Sciences; University of Houston--Psychology;
University of Illinois at Urbana--Champaign--Psychology; University of
Iowa--Psychological and Brain Sciences; University of Maryland at
College Park--Psychology; University of Massachusetts at Amherst--
Psychological and Brain Sciences; University of Michigan--Psychology;
University of Minnesota--Psychology; University of Minnesota--Institute
of Child Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro--
Psychology; University of Pennsylvania--Psychology; University of
Pittsburgh--Psychology; University of Texas at Austin--Psychology;
University of Texas at Dallas--School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences;
University of Virginia--Psychology; University of Washington--
Psychology; Vanderbilt University--Psychological Sciences; Virginia
Tech--Psychology; Wake Forest University--Psychology; Washington
University in St. Louis--Psychology
[This statement was submitted by Juliane Baron, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Friends of the Children
support of the youth mentoring grant
On behalf of the Friends of the Children national network,
comprised of 17 locations in 10 States, I thank Chairman Jerry Moran
and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen for the opportunity to provide
testimony in support of a critical Federal investment in America's
young people. My testimony will focus on the Youth Mentoring Program
housed in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP) at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Friends of the Children
respectfully requests that your committee invest at least $120 million
in the Youth Mentoring Program in fiscal year 2020. This investment
will make it possible for quality, evidence-based mentoring
organizations, like Friends of the Children, to increase our impact by
serving more of our Nation's most at-risk children and youth, breaking
cycles of poverty and violence and empowering them to change their life
trajectories.
Friends of the Children Overview
Friends of the Children is a $26 million network serving over 2,100
youth and caregivers in 10 States across the country. Headquartered in
Portland, Oregon, our sites are all independent non-profit
organizations, and are located in Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, New York
(Harlem and the Bronx), Tampa, Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Fargo, Vancouver and Seattle Washington, and Portland, Gresham, Klamath
Falls, and Bend Oregon.
The mission of Friends of the Children is to break the cycle of
generational poverty by giving the most vulnerable children the ability
to create a new story. We select children ages 4-6 who are at risk of
entering, or who are already in, the foster care system and pair them
with a salaried, professional mentor (a Friend) who stays with them
from kindergarten through graduation--12\1/2\ years, no matter what.
Children who qualify for the Friends of the Children program are
selected using a research-based, behavioral risk and protective factor
assessment that aligns with the child welfare/foster care intake
processes. Youth who qualify have disproportionately experienced
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) factors before they join our program
in kindergarten: 85 percent experience three or more ACE factors in
their lifetime, and over half experience six or more.
Our 26-year history has proven that trained, professional mentors
who make long-term, 12+ year commitments can change the life
trajectories of children who have been exposed to compounded risk
factors.
--83 percent of our youth graduate high school, although 60 percent
have parents who did not have the supports they needed to
graduate;
--93 percent avoid the juvenile justice system, although 50 percent
have parents who were incarcerated;
--98 percent avoid early parenting, although 85 percent were born to
a teen parent; and
--92 percent go on to enroll in college, serve our country, or join
the workforce.
These outcomes translate into economic savings for the community.
The Harvard Business School Association of Oregon study on Friends of
the Children found that every $1 invested in Friends of the Children
yields more than $7 in return to the community in savings.
Closing the Mentoring Gap for Youth Impacted by the Opioid Crisis
While mentoring is proven to be an effective, evidence-based
intervention and prevention strategy for young people experiencing the
greatest challenges, more youth need our help than we are able to
serve.
Since 2015, OJJDP has invested $4.5M into expansion of the Friends
of the Children model. By leveraging that $4.5M into over $26 million
of public and private funding, our network expanded the geographic
scope of our services by 60 percent in the last 3 years and is poised
to expand the number of youth served by over 20 percent in the next 2
years.
However, even with that increased growth in service and impact, we
still aren't able to meet the demand for our services. Right now, for
example, there are 26,000 5-year-old children in foster care who could
thrive with the support of a Friend. In 2016, parental substance abuse
contributed to 34 percent of all child removals nationwide. In 2017,
the rate of children entering foster care due to parental substance
abuse rose for the 6th consecutive year--a 53 percent increase since
2007. There is a correlation between such removals and the rise in
opioid addiction. One study found a 30 percent increase in opioid
overdoses between 2016 and 2017 across 45 States. Adults living in
poverty, ages 18-25 (the age of most Friends of the Children parents),
are the most likely demographic group to become addicted and die from
opioid pain relievers.
Both incarceration of a parent and parental substance abuse are
common Adverse Childhood Experiences for children served by Friends of
the Children, especially our youth experiencing foster care. Each have
also been linked to generational cycles of addiction, where children of
incarcerated parents or those who have substance abuse challenges are
in turn more likely to be impacted by the justice system or suffer from
addiction in adolescence and adulthood.
Currently, OJJDP Youth Mentoring Program funds are supporting
Friends of the Children to break these cycles for over 2000 youth
nationwide, but thousands more need our help.
Unfortunately, the Youth Mentoring Program is now the only
remaining Federal grant exclusively dedicated to providing funds for
evidence-based mentoring. Without adequate resources and funding,
mentoring programs--and ultimately America's young people--do not have
access to the caring adults they need to develop healthy, safe and
productive lives. This request in support of at least $120 million for
the Youth Mentoring Program will allow more young people to have access
to the important social, professional, and academic opportunities that
all of America's youth deserve. The Youth Mentoring Program
demonstrates a sound and effective investment in evidence-based
programs that work, and will have definitive and measureable impact on
closing the mentoring gap in America.
Thank you again for this opportunity to provide testimony in
support of this critical Federal resource that creates a better future
all of us by investing in the potential and promise of America's young
people.
[This statement was submitted by Terri Sorensen, Chief Executive
Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Geological Society of America
national science foundation and national aeronautics and space
administration
summary
The Geological Society of America (GSA) supports strong and
sustained investments in geoscience research and education at the
National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). We thank Congress for the investments made in
fiscal year 2019 and encourage a path of sustainable growth forward. We
encourage Congress to appropriate $9 billion for NSF in fiscal year
2020 and fully support geoscience research at the agency without
restriction. We request $7.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to fund NASA's
Science Mission Directorate with increased funding for the Earth
Science and Planetary Science Divisions. Investment in NSF and NASA is
necessary to secure America's future economic leadership, both through
the discoveries made and the talent developed through their programs.
Earth and space science at these two agencies play a vital role in
American prosperity and security through understanding and documenting
mineral and energy resources that underpin economic growth; researching
and monitoring potential natural hazards that threaten U.S. and
international security; and determining and assessing water quality and
availability.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional
society with a growing membership of 23,000 individuals. GSA provides
access to elements essential to the professional growth of earth
scientists at all levels of expertise and from all sectors: academic,
government, business, and industry.
national science foundation
The Geological Society of America (GSA) appreciates the increase to
the National Science Foundation (NSF) budget in fiscal year 2019 and
thanks the Committee for recognizing the important role that the agency
plays in our country's global competitiveness. We urge Congress to
provide NSF at least $9 billion in fiscal year 2020 and reject the cuts
proposed in the administration's request.
Sustained increases beyond inflation are necessary to regain
America's science and technology leadership and to enable the
discoveries that lead to future innovations and industries. According
to the 2018 Science and Engineering Indicators Report, the U.S. now
ranks 11th in the world in research and development intensity.
Increases in funding will allow NSF to continue to fund its core basic
research in addition to growing investments in its ``Ten Big Ideas''.
These ideas are designed to position the U.S. on the cutting edge of
global science and engineering leadership and will build upon and
complement the basic research occurring in the directorates.
Geoscience research is a critical component of the overall science
and technology enterprise and should be funded without restriction.
NSF's Directorate for Geosciences is the largest Federal supporter of
basic geoscience research at universities. NSF's programs in geoscience
research and graduate and undergraduate student support contribute
significantly to the education and training of the workforce. A recent
report by the American Geosciences Institute, Status of Recent
Geoscience Graduates 2017, illustrates the diversity of careers
supported by geoscience research. For example, the report found that
the majority of master's degree graduates found jobs in the oil and gas
industry and government, while environmental services, such as
environmental consulting and remediation of water and soil, hired the
highest percentage of geoscience bachelor's degree graduates. Other
industries hiring geoscientists include manufacturing, trade,
construction, information technology services, mining, and agriculture.
Increased investments in NSF's geoscience portfolio are necessary
to address such issues as natural hazards, energy and minerals, water
resources, and education; geoscience is a key contributor to
groundbreaking research across disciplines at NSF. Specific needs
include:
--On December 20, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order
entitled A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable
Supplies of Critical Minerals, that finds,
``The United States is heavily reliant on imports of certain
mineral commodities that are vital to the Nation's security and
economic prosperity. This dependency of the United States on foreign
sources creates a strategic vulnerability for both its economy and
military to adverse foreign government action, natural disaster, and
other events that can disrupt supply of these key minerals.''
NSF's Division of Earth Sciences supports research on the
structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth and the processes
that govern the formation and behavior of the Earth's materials. This
research contributes to a better understanding of the natural
distribution of mineral and energy resources.
--The quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater have a
direct impact on the wellbeing of societies and ecosystems, as
evidenced by flooding and drought impacts experienced across
the U.S. during the past year. NSF's research addresses major
gaps in our understanding of water availability, quality, and
dynamics, including the impact of both a changing climate and
human activity on the water system.
--The Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences provides critical
infrastructure and research funding for understanding our
planet, including weather and precipitation variability and
atmospheric and space weather hazards. Earth and space
observations provide data necessary to predict severe space
weather events, which affect the electric power grid, satellite
communications and information, and space-based position,
navigation, and timing systems.
--The National Research Council report Sea Change: 2015-2025 Decadal
Survey of Ocean Sciences highlights areas of research that are
need to make informed decisions, including: How can risk be
better characterized and the ability to forecast geohazards
like megaearthquakes, tsunamis, undersea landslides, and
volcanic eruptions be improved? What are the rates, mechanisms,
impacts, and geographic variability of sea level change? How
different will marine food webs be at mid-century? In the next
100 years?
--Natural hazards--including floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic
eruptions, wildfires, and landslides--are a major cause of
fatalities and economic losses. Recent natural disasters
provide unmistakable evidence that our nation remains
vulnerable to staggering losses. An improved scientific
understanding of geologic hazards will reduce future losses by
informing effective planning and mitigation. We urge Congress
to support NSF investments in fundamental Earth science
research and facilities that underpin innovations in natural
hazards monitoring and warning systems.
national aeronautics and space administration
GSA requests $7.5 billion to fund NASA's Science Mission
Directorate (SMD) and increased funding for the Earth Science and
Planetary Science Divisions. Increased funding will be critical to
implement the recommendations of the recent National Academy of
Sciences' Earth Science and Applications from Space (ESAS) Decadal
Survey report. The report notes,
``Earth science and applications are a key part of the nation's
information infrastructure, warranting a U.S. program of Earth
observations from space that is robust, resilient, and
appropriately balanced.''
The data and observations from Earth observing missions and
research are a tremendously important resource for natural resource
exploration and land use planning, as well as assessing water
resources, natural disaster impacts, and global agriculture production.
GSA supports interagency efforts to ensure the future viability of
Landsat satellites as well as funding to increase the capabilities and
uses of multi-spacecraft constellations of small scientific satellites.
We appreciate congressional support in fiscal year 2019 for Earth
Science Missions, and request that Congress continue their funding in
fiscal year 2020. These missions will advance science frontiers and
provide critical data for society. For example, NASA's Plankton,
Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission will help us monitor the
duration and impact of harmful algae blooms and The Climate Absolute
Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder will enable
industry and military decision-makers to more accurately assess natural
hazards, such as flooding.
Planetary research is directly linked to Earth science research and
cuts in either program will hinder the other. To support missions to
better understand the workings of the entire solar system, planetary
scientists engage in both terrestrial field studies and Earth
observation to examine geologic features and processes that are common
on other planets, such as impact structures, volcanic constructs,
tectonic structures, and glacial and fluvial deposits and landforms. In
addition, geochemical planetary research studies include investigations
of extraterrestrial materials now on Earth, including lunar samples,
meteorites, cosmic dust particles, and, most recently, particles
returned from comets and asteroids. We appreciate past congressional
support for this area and urge you to continue to increase this
important area to support priority areas identified in the ``Planetary
Science Decadal Survey''.
support needed to educate future innovators
Earth scientists will be essential to meeting the environmental and
resource challenges of the twenty-first century, but a shortage is
expected in the future workforce. The Status of the Geoscience
Workforce Report 2018 found an expected deficit of approximately
118,000 geoscientists by 2026. Increased NSF and NASA investments in
Earth science education are necessary to meet these workforce needs and
develop an informed, science-literate population.
NSF's Education and Human Resources Directorate researches and
improves the way we teach science and provides research and fellowship
opportunities for students to encourage them to continue in the
sciences. Similarly, NASA's educational programs have inspired and led
many into science careers. GSA fully supports these efforts, as well as
programs to make the geoscience workforce more diverse.
Please contact GSA Director for Geoscience Policy Kasey White to
learn more about the Geological Society of America--including GSA
Position Statements on water resources, planetary research, energy and
mineral resources, natural hazards, climate change, and public
investment in Earth science research.
[This statement was submitted by Kasey White, Director for
Geoscience Policy.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife
Commission
department of justice
Program Involved
COPS Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP) Hiring and Equipment/
Training Program under the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation
(CTAS)
Summary of GLIFWC'S Fiscal Year 2020 Testimony
GLIFWC supports sustained funding for the TRGP at no less than the
fiscal year 2019 enacted funding level. This program has enabled GLIFWC
to solidify its communications, training, and equipment requirements,
essential to ensuring the safety of GLIFWC officers and their role in
the proper functioning of interjurisdictional emergency mutual
assistance networks providing public safety in the treaty ceded
territories.
Ceded Territory Treaty Rights and GLIFWC'S Role
GLIFWC was established in 1984 as a ``Tribal organization'' within
the meaning of the Indian Self-Determination Act (Public Law 93-638).
It exercises authority delegated by its member Tribes to implement
Federal court orders and various interjurisdictional agreements related
to their treaty rights. GLIFWC assists its member Tribes in:
--securing and implementing treaty guaranteed rights to hunt, fish,
and gather in Chippewa treaty ceded territories; and
--cooperatively managing, restoring and protecting ceded territory
natural resources and their habitats.
For 35 years, Congress and various administrations have funded
GLIFWC through the BIA, the Department of Justice and other agencies to
meet specific Federal obligations under: (a) a number of U.S./Chippewa
treaties; (b) the Federal trust responsibility; (c) the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act, the Clean Water Act, and
other legislation; and (d) various court decisions, including a 1999
U.S. Supreme Court case, that affirmed the treaty rights of GLIFWC's
member Tribes. Under the direction of its member Tribes, GLIFWC
operates a ceded territory hunting, fishing, and gathering rights
protection/implementation program through its staff of biologists,
scientists, technicians, conservation enforcement officers, and public
information specialists.
Community-based Policing
GLIFWC's officers carry out their duties through a community-based
policing program. The underlying premise of that program is that
effective detection and deterrence of illegal activities, as well as
education of the regulated constituents, are best accomplished if the
officers work within the Tribal communities they primarily serve. The
officers are based in reservation communities of the following member
Tribes: in Wisconsin--Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau,
Red Cliff, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake), and St. Croix; in Minnesota--
Mille Lacs; and in Michigan--Bay Mills, Keweenaw Bay and Lac Vieux
Desert. To help develop mutual trust between GLIFWC officers and Tribal
communities, officers provide outdoor skills workshops and safety
classes (hunter, boater, snowmobile, ATV) to over 1,100 Tribal youth in
grades 4-8 annually. GLIFWC's officers also actively participate in
summer and winter youth outdoor activity camps, kids fishing events,
workshops on canoe safety and rice stick carving, and seminars on
trapping and archery/bow safety.
GLIFWC's member Tribes realize it is critical to build
relationships between Tribal youth and law enforcement officers as a
means of combatting gang recruitment and drug/alcohol abuse in
reservation communities. GLIFWC is continuing to take a pro-active
approach to support these efforts by obtaining fiscal year 2013 DOJ
funding to hire a Youth Outreach Officer. This Officer is working, with
a team of officers, to improve and expand youth outdoor recreation
activities in partnership with other GLIFWC officers. In addition,
GLIFWC has appointed a second officer responsibilities in regard to
development and implementation of youth programs to meet growing
demands for community policing interaction with Tribal youth. The
program's goal is to build and expand these relationships to help
prevent violations of Tribal off-reservation codes, improve public
safety and promote an outdoor lifestyle as an alternative to a
lifestyle characterized by youth gangs \1\ and substance abuse.\2\ The
availability of the Youth Outreach Officer has enabled GLIFWC, in
partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, to grow participation in Camp
Onji-Akiing (From the Earth). The camp began with just 9 Tribal
students in grades 5-8 and by 2018 expanded to 52 Tribal students in
grades 5-8, 8 Tribal Junior Counselors (i.e. high school students) and
1 Tribal Junior Director (i.e. high school graduate enrolled in
college).
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\1\ The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth population
is more affected by gang involvement than any other racial population.
15 percent of AI/AN youth are involved with gangs compared to 8 percent
of Latino youth and 6 percent of African American youth nationally.
(National Council on Crime and Delinquency: Glesmann, C., Krisberg,
B.A., & Marchionna, S., 2009).
\2\ 22.9 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth
aged 12 and older report alcohol use, 18.4 percent report binge
drinking and 16.0 percent report substance dependence or abuse. In the
same group, 35.8 percent report tobacco use and 12.5 percent report
illicit drug use. (2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary
of National Findings).
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Interaction with Law Enforcement Agencies
GLIFWC's officers are integral members of regional emergency
services networks in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. They not only
enforce the Tribes' conservation codes, but are fully certified
officers who work cooperatively with authorities from other
jurisdictions when they detect violations of State or Federal criminal
and conservation laws. These partnerships evolved from the inter-
governmental cooperation required to combat the violence experienced
during the early implementation of treaty rights in Wisconsin. As time
passed, GLIFWC's professional officers continued to provide a bridge
between local law enforcement and many rural Indian communities.
GLIFWC remains at this forefront, using DOJ funding to develop
interjurisdictional legal training that is attended by GLIFWC officers,
Tribal police and conservation officers, Tribal judges, Tribal and
county prosecutors, and State and Federal agency law enforcement staff.
DOJ funding has also enabled GLIFWC to certify its officers as medical
emergency first responders, and to train them in search and rescue,
particularly in cold water rescue techniques. When a crime is in
progress or emergencies occur, local, State, and Federal law
enforcement agencies look to GLIFWC's officers as part of the mutual
assistance networks. In fact, the role of GLIFWC's officers in these
networks was further legitimized in 2007 by the passage of Wisconsin
Act 27, which affords GLIFWC wardens the same statutory safeguards and
protections that are afforded to their DNR counterparts. GLIFWC wardens
now have access to the criminal history database and other information
to identify whom they are encountering in the field so that they can
determine whether they are about to face a fugitive or some other
dangerous individual.
GLIFWC's participation in mutual assistance networks located
throughout a 60,000 square mile region increases public safety in an
effective and cost efficient manner. In 2018, GLIFWC officers utilized
prior DOJ funded training and equipment to respond to:
--Seven incidents where officers responded to emergency backup
requests from other law enforcement agencies including: (1)
assistance in serving a high-risk felony warrant from Oneida
County, Wisconsin; (2) assisting Michigan State Police with a
well-being check; (3) assisting in traffic control on U.S.
Highway 2 during flooding; and (4) assisting Barron County
Sheriff's Department with a large search for potential evidence
from a double homicide and kidnapping;
--Seven accidents including one with a school bus, car/deer
collisions and flood related accidents that occurred in
Bayfield County;
--Six search and rescue operations including a missing Tribal member
where GLIFWC officers utilized a GLIFWC owned Remotely Operated
Vehicle (Drone) to conduct an aerial search and to photograph
the area, and a missing 15-year-old from Lac Vieux Desert in
which GLIFWC officers worked with Gogebic County Sheriff's
Deputies, Michigan State Patrol Troopers, and multiple K9 teams
to successfully rescue the youth;
--Two medical calls including responding to a finger amputation and
an elderly person in Washburn, Wisconsin; and
--One interagency body recovery operation on Pokegama Lake in Lac Du
Flambeau.
Increased Versatility and Improving Public Safety.--In addition to
supporting GLIFWC participation in mutual assistance networks, DOJ
training and equipment proved critical in building partnerships to
improve public safety on Lake Superior. Ghost nets are commercial
fishing nets that have been damaged due to Lake Superior's strong
storms or vandalism and have sunk to the bottom of a lake. These lost
gill nets can pose navigation hazards and damage equipment. In 2015,
GLFWC utilized DOJ Tribal COPS funding to purchase equipment to address
this public safety concern and in 2016 removed around 8,000 feet of
ghost nets from Lake Superior, in 2017 GLIFWC removed around 8,700 feet
of ghost nets and in 2018 GLIFWC removed around 7,035 feet of ghost
nets. GLIFWC also formed a partnership with Wisconsin Sea Grant and the
Apostle Islands Sport Fishermen's Association, and obtained funding
from the Marine Debris Program to sponsor a series of public workshops
to educate commercial and Tribal anglers on best net-management
practices, build community relationships and further expand GLIFWC's
Community Policing outreach efforts.
Looking to the Future
In 2017, a GLIFWC officer, performing a routine investigation
during a deer shining incident, discovered a case that the suspect had
dropped out of their vehicle. The case contained a medical rubber band,
syringes, and a substance in a plastic bag. The officer turned the
paraphernalia over to county deputies who were on scene and the suspect
was placed under arrest.
GLIFWC member tribes have not escaped the opioid and
methamphetamine crisis gripping much of the United States. Wisconsin
has experienced a 335 percent growth in neonatal abstinence syndrome
(NAS) from 2006 to 2014 from 2.0 to 8.7 per 1,000 live births \3\ and
counties with reservation communities have the highest per capita NAS
rates in the State. GLIFWC is a member of the Wisconsin Native American
Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI) Task Force and has participated in
training under a Memorandum of Agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ When opioids or other substances are used during pregnancy, the
infant may be born with withdrawal from substances taken by the mother.
This condition, termed neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), is
associated with physiologic and behavioral consequences, such as low
birth weight, feeding difficulties and respiratory problems. Select
Opioid--Related Morbidity and Mortality, Data for Wisconsin, November
2016, WI Dep. of Health Services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methamphetamine remains a significant problem throughout the
Chippewa ceded territories in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan
including in tribal communities. GLIFWC is also engaged in ongoing
discussions with the U.S. Forest Service on developing strategies on
how best to approach and counter with this pervasive regional problem.
[This statement was submitted by Michael J. Isham, Executive
Administrator.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
science and research funding at the national aeronautics and space
administration and national science foundation
On behalf of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), we
are pleased to provide this written testimony to Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies
for the official record. HFES urges the subcommittee to provide $9
billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and $22.575 billion
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the
fiscal year 2020 appropriations process.
HFES and its members believe strongly that investment in scientific
research serves as an important driver for innovation and the economy,
national security, and for maintaining American global competitiveness.
We thank the subcommittee for its longtime recognition of the value of
scientific and engineering research and its contribution to innovation
in the U.S.
the value of human factors and ergonomics science
HFES is a multidisciplinary professional association with over
4,500 individual members worldwide, comprised of scientists and
practitioners, all with a common interest in enhancing the performance,
effectiveness and safety of systems with which humans interact through
the design of those systems' user interfaces to optimally fit humans'
physical and cognitive capabilities.
For over 50 years, the U.S. Federal Government has funded
scientists and engineers to explore and better understand the
relationship between humans, technology, and the environment.
Originally stemming from urgent needs to improve the performance of
humans using complex systems such as aircraft during World War II, the
field of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) works to develop safe,
effective, and practical human use of technology. HF/E does this by
developing scientific approaches for understanding this complex
interface, also known as ``human-systems integration.'' Today, HF/E is
applied to fields as diverse as transportation, architecture,
environmental design, consumer products, electronics and computers,
energy systems, medical devices, manufacturing, office automation,
organizational design and management, aging, farming, health, sports
and recreation, oil field operations, mining, forensics, and education.
With increasing reliance by Federal agencies and the private sector
on technology-aided decisionmaking, HF/E is vital to effectively
achieving our national objectives. While a large proportion of HF/E
research exists at the intersection of science and practice--that is,
HF/E is often viewed more at the ``applied'' end of the science
continuum--the field also contributes to advancing ``fundamental''
scientific understanding of the interface between human decisionmaking,
engineering, design, technology, and the world around us through
research funded by NSF. The reach of HF/E is profound, touching nearly
all aspects of human life from the healthcare sector, to the ways we
travel, to the hand-held devices we use every day.
human factors and ergonomics at the national science foundation
HFES and its members believe strongly that Federal investment in
NSF will have a direct and positive impact on the U.S. economy,
national security, and the health and well-being of Americans. It is
for these reasons that HFES supports robust funding for the Foundation
to encourage further advancements in the fields of technology,
education, defense, and healthcare, among others. HFES also supports
the Foundation's dedication to its ``10 Big Ideas,'' \1\ including the
Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier (FW-HTF), which seeks
to address and improve human-technology interactions as workplaces
integrate and adapt to artificial intelligence, automation, machine
learning, and beyond. In the past, NSF funding for HF/E basic research
has strengthened interdisciplinary partnerships allowing for a
multilateral approach to technology research and development, including
the human and user perspectives. The benefits of this research are not
confined to one field but rather span across a range of disciplines to
increase understanding of the way humans interact with technology, as
well as with each other.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ National Science Foundation-proposed ``10 Big Ideas'' (https://
www.nsf.gov/about/congress/reports/nsf_big_ideas.pdf)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In particular, NSF funds HF/E research to:
--Better understand and improve the effectiveness of how individuals,
groups, organizations, and society make decisions.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Decision, Risk & Management Sciences (DRMS) Program (http://
www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5423)
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--Improve understanding of the relationship between science and
engineering, technology, and society, in order to advance the
adoption and use of technology.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Program (http://
www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5324)
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--Inform decisionmaking in engineering design, control, and
optimization to improve individual engineering components and
entire systems.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Systems Engineering and Design Cluster (http://www.nsf.gov/
funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13473)
human factors and ergonomics at the national aeronautics and space
administration
HF/E is a critical enabler of NASA science, aeronautics, and human
spaceflight missions. Through the Human Research Program,\5\ NASA and
external HF/E practitioners conduct research on the design and
procedures that influence most, if not all, aspects of astronaut and
mission control performance. This crucial role is necessary for the
Agency to ensure safety and efficiency in complex systems with narrow
risk parameters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ NASA Human Research Program (https://www.nasa.gov/hrp)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The practical applications of HF/E will only become more pronounced
as NASA looks to expand the horizon of human exploration. With the
United States planning to send humans beyond Earth orbit, unique
challenges will arise that necessitate an increased reliance on HF/E
research. Long duration missions with the potential for delayed Earth
communications will require systems and procedures designed to
guarantee safe operation of autonomous systems. This and other issues
were highlighted in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Transition Authorization Act of 2017,\6\ wherein Congress required NASA
to take into consideration HF/E research outcomes in the mandated Human
Exploration Roadmap.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition
Authorization Act of 2017, Sec. 432(b)(3)(J) (https://www.congress.gov/
115/bills/s442/BILLS-115s442enr.pdf)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
conclusion
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, HFES supports an
overall fiscal year 2020 NSF budget of $9 billion and a NASA budget of
$22.575 billion. This investment funds important research studies,
enabling an evidence-base, methodology, and measurements for improving
organizational function, performance, and design across sectors and
disciplines.
On behalf of HFES, we would like to thank you for the opportunity
to provide this testimony. Please do not hesitate to contact us should
you have any questions about HFES or HF/E research. HFES truly
appreciates the subcommittee's long history of support for scientific
research and innovation.
[This statement was submitted by Kermit Davis, President, and
Steven C. Kemp, Executive Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Humane Society of the United States
national oceanic and atmospheric administration and the marine mammal
commission budget
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on fiscal year
2020 funding priorities for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the Marine Mammal Commission. On behalf of the
Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative
Fund, I urge the subcommittee to include the following requests in the
fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill.
national oceanic and atmospheric administration
Office of Protected Resources
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources (OPR) is
charged with protecting marine mammals under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act as well as endangered and threatened marine species
under the Endangered Species Act. As summarized in the fiscal year 2017
NOAA Congressional Justification, OPR's mission is to ``assess,
understand, and protect the health of protected species, the ecosystems
that sustain them, and the communities that value and depend on them.''
The program, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders,
uses best available science to develop and implement best practices and
conservation actions to reduce threats to protected species and their
marine and coastal ecosystems.'' \1\ OPR's work is vital to ensuring
the conservation of marine mammals and listed marine species.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2019-04/
FY2020_NOAA_Congressional-
Budget-Justification.pdf at NMFS-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding marine species and the ESA, the OPR is tasked with, in
part, responding to listing petitions to determine if species warrant
listing under the ESA, meeting statutory deadlines regarding listings,
designating critical habitat, developing recovery plans and interagency
consultations. Without the necessary resources to undertake these
tasks, the existing backlog of species awaiting consideration will
continue to increase, imperiled species will continue to decline and we
are at potential risk of driving species to extinction.
Additionally, under both the MMPA and ESA, the OPR works to assess
and monitor marine species populations and stocks and conduct research
on marine species to help inform management decisions. As OPR is the
premiere Federal agency tasked with undertaking this type of work on
marine species, it would be detrimental to making management decisions
if estimates on populations and stocks were no longer updated and key
population research could not be conducted. For instance, if updated
population information is not available, management decisions to aid
recovery and assess the potential for delisting from the ESA would not
be possible.
OPR issues permits and authorizations that may result in take of
protected species. These permits and authorizations help ensure that
impacts of activities is minimal to marine species. The ability to
process these permits and authorizations in a timely matter is
contingent on having the resources to do so.
The President's fiscal year 20 budget request ask for a net
decrease of $13,496,000, eliminating in part $2,599,000 in funding to
the ESA and MMPA permitting division and $4,000,000 by abolishing the
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. See
below for further discussion. We urge the OPR to be fully funded at
$200,012,000 in order to ensure proper resources and adequate personnel
are available for the conservation and management of marine mammals and
listed marine species.
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
(Prescott Grant Program) provides competitive grants to marine mammal
stranding network organizations to rescue, rehabilitate, or investigate
sick, injured, or distressed live marine mammals, and investigate the
events surrounding and determine the cause of death or injury to marine
mammals. Over the past 18 years, the Prescott Grant Program has been
vital to protecting and recovering marine mammals across the country
while also generating critical information regarding marine mammals and
their environment.
As the sole source of Federal funding for the National Marine
Mammal Stranding Network, which is comprised of over 90 member
organizations within 23 States, robust funding is required for the
Prescott Grant Program to enable it to continue its vital work.
Citizens have come to expect that there will be a response to calls for
experts to come and rescue animals in obvious trouble. However, without
funding to the Prescott grant program, these local networks cannot
afford to assist the National Marine Fisheries Service to fulfill its
congressional mandate to ``compile and analyze, by region, to monitor
species, numbers, conditions, and cause of illnesses and deaths of
stranded marine mammals.'' 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1421a(b)(3).
The President's fiscal year 2020 budget request zeroed out funding
to this program in hopes that private entities will fund such efforts.
It is improper and against clear congressional intent to have this
program zeroed out. We urge the Prescott Grant Program to be fully
funded at $4 million.
North Atlantic Right Whale-Related Research and Development
One of NMFS' 2019 priorities is to ``investigate and develop
measures to mitigate threats to the recovery of North Atlantic right
whales.'' However, the President's fiscal year 2020 budget request
eliminates $1 million in funding provided by Congress last year to
further this priority. There are less than 420 North Atlantic right
whales left in the world. deserves our full. The greatest threats to
the survival of right whales are fishing gear entanglements and vessel
strikes. Right whales are extremely vulnerable to being caught in the
vertical buoy lines used in lobster and crab trapping gear.
Entanglement can lead to drowning, reduced mobility, and, in some
cases, a long, painful death from starvation. Ships also collide with
right whales, causing deaths or serious injuries, such as blunt force
trauma, propeller cuts, and broken bones. Given the dire situation of
this species and NMFS stated 2019 priority, we request $5 million in
funding for North Atlantic right whale-related research and development
for fiscal year 2020.
marine mammal commission
The Marine Mammal Commission plays a key role in the conservation
of marine mammals. An independent Federal agency established by
Congress in the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the three Commissioners--
experts on marine mammals--are appointed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate. The Commissioners are supported by the Committee of
Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals, a special advisor on Alaskan
Native Affairs, and 14 staff. The Commission provides independent,
science-based oversight of U.S. policies, international policies, and
the actions of Federal agencies regarding human impacts on marine
mammals and their ocean environment.
The Commission undertakes a range of activities to ensure that
protections for marine mammals--whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions,
walruses, sea otters, polar bears, and manatees--are as effective as
possible, and as efficient as possible. It works with the regulatory
agencies and stakeholders to identify and fill research needs,
providing grant funding when possible for research that addresses
information gaps and identifies regulatory approaches that are more
tailored. For example, studies have shown that a modest increase in
resources to support marine mammal data collection can result in more
targeted regulatory measures and reduced financial impact on commercial
fishermen. The Commission also seeks to ensure that the ability of
Alaska Natives are able to meet their subsistence needs through hunting
of marine mammals.
The administration seeks to eliminate the Commission for the second
year in a row. For fiscal year 2019, Congress recognized the
Commission's important oversight function and funded the Commission at
$3.43 million- the same amount it has received since fiscal year 2015.
However, since the Commission has absorbed significant fixed costs
since fiscal year 15, the discretionary funding has decreased,
drastically impacting the work the Commission is able to accomplish. We
urge the Commission to be funded at $5.25 million in fiscal year 2020
to help restore the Commission's key oversight role in conserving
marine mammals.
[This statement was submitted by Keisha Sedlacek, Director of
Regulatory Affairs, Humane Society Legislative Fund.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Innocence Project
On behalf of the Innocence Project, and as a member of the
Innocence Network, a coalition of approximately 60 local innocence
organizations working to exonerate the innocent and prevent wrongful
convictions nationwide, thank you for the subcommittee's critical
funding increases and strong support for innocence and forensic science
programs in fiscal year 2019. Thank you also for allowing me to submit
written testimony for the record as you consider budget requests for
fiscal year 2020. I urge you to robustly fund the following programs at
the Department of Justice and the National Institute of Standards and
Technology at the Department of Commerce, including:
--$10 million for the Wrongful Conviction Review Program at the
Department of Justice (DoJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (the
Wrongful Conviction Review Program is a part of the Capital
Litigation Improvement Program);
--$10 million for the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing
Program at the DoJ, National Institute of Justice (NIJ);
--$30 million for the Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant
Program at NIJ;
--$4.2 million to support forensic science standards setting
activities at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST);
--$15 million for NIST to support forensic science research and
measurement science.
These innocence and forensic science programs increase the accuracy
and fairness of the criminal justice system, provide the strongest
possible forensic science tools to justice system stakeholders, and
generate greater public safety for our Nation.
National Registry of Exonerations data show that the number of
exonerations has significantly increased since Federal innocence
programs--the Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing and Wrongful
Convictions Review programs--began to receive funding in 2008 and 2009,
respectively. This dramatic increase in the number of exonerations is
in part a result of the Federal decision to invest in these programs to
help ensure the accuracy and integrity of the criminal justice system.
In the 20 years prior to the initiation of innocence program funding
(from 1989 to 2008), the rate of exonerations was much lower. In 2016,
the number of exonerations was at its peak at 171 exonerations, and in
recent years exoneration totals have been approximately 150 per year--
or on average, more than 12 exonerations per month. These effective
program outcomes show the power and need to invest in Federal innocence
and forensic science programs.
The Midwest Innocence Project has had incredible success in Kansas
where our work has resulted in the exoneration of three clients in the
past 4 years. One of those clients, Floyd Bledsoe, served 16 years in a
Kansas prison before a Jefferson County judge vacated his convictions
in December 2015 based in part on new DNA testing evidence. Floyd was
convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated
indecent liberties for the shooting death of his 14-year-old sister-in-
law. The DNA test results led to the identification of the actual
perpetrator, Floyd's brother, and a co-conspirator in disposing the
body, Floyd's father. In 2017, Richard Jones and Lamonte McIntyre were
both exonerated by non-DNA evidence after the Midwest Innocence Project
and our partners proved that investigators used improper practices when
investigating the cases, resulting in their wrongful convictions.
Richard served over 18 years for aggravated assault during a purse
snatching he did not commit because of improper eyewitness
identification practices. Lamonte served over 23 years for double-
homicide that occurred when he was just 17 due to the misconduct of
both the investigating detective and the prosecutor. These examples
demonstrate the long, complex, and resource intensive process often
required to overturn a wrongful conviction, and inspire us to identify,
remediate and prevent other wrongful convictions.
Freeing innocent individuals and preventing wrongful convictions
through reform greatly benefits public safety. Every time DNA
identifies a wrongful conviction, it enables the possible
identification of the person who actually committed the crime. Such
true perpetrators have been identified in almost half of the first 350
DNA exoneration cases. Unfortunately, many of these individuals went on
to commit additional crimes while an innocent person was convicted and
incarcerated in their place.
To date over 360 individuals in the United States have been
exonerated through DNA testing, including 20 who served time on death
row. These innocents served an average of 14 years in prison before
exoneration and release. However, the value of Federal innocence and
forensic science programs is not to just these exonerated individuals.
It is important to fund these critical programs because reforms and
procedures that help to prevent wrongful convictions enhance the
accuracy of criminal investigations, strengthen criminal prosecutions,
and result in a stronger, fairer system of justice that provides true
justice to victims of crime.
wrongful conviction review program
We know that wrongful convictions occur in cases where DNA evidence
may be insufficient or unavailable to prove innocence. The National
Registry of Exonerations currently lists over 2,400 exonerations since
1989--over 360 of which were based primarily on DNA. The Wrongful
Conviction Review Program provides critical support to ensure that
experts are available to navigate the complex landscape of post-
conviction litigation, as well as oversee the thousands of volunteer
hours local innocence organizations leverage to help investigate these
complex cases and support the significant legal work they require. The
Wrongful Conviction Review Program has contributed to 34 exonerations
over the past 3 years.
The Wrongful Conviction Review Program provides funding to local
innocence organizations so that they may provide this type of expert,
high quality, and efficient representation for innocent individuals.
The program's goals are both to alleviate burdens placed on the
criminal justice system through costly and prolonged post-conviction
litigation and to identify, whenever possible, the person who actually
committed the crime.
In recent years, only 5-10 percent of local innocence organizations
received Wrongful Conviction Review funding during each grant cycle. To
continue and expand this important work, we urge you to provide $10
million for the Wrongful Conviction Review Program in fiscal year 2020.
(Please note the Wrongful Conviction Review Program is a part of the
Capital Litigation Improvement Program.)
the bloodsworth post-conviction dna testing program
The Bloodsworth Program supports States and localities that want to
pursue post-conviction DNA testing in appropriate cases, and grantees
range from State and local prosecutor offices to law enforcement
agencies and crime labs. These grantees can collaborate with local
innocence organizations when appropriate. For example, a Bloodsworth
grant to Arizona allowed the State's Attorney General's Office to
partner with the Arizona Justice Project to create the Post-Conviction
DNA Testing Project. This effort canvassed the Arizona inmate
population, reviewed cases, located evidence, and filed joint requests
with the court to have evidence released for DNA testing. In addition
to identifying the innocent, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard
noted that the ``grant enable[d] [his] office to support local
prosecutors and ensure that those who have committed violent crimes are
identified and behind bars.'' \1\
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\1\ Arizona receives Federal DNA grant, http://
community.law.asu.edu/news/19167/Arizona-receives-Federal-DNA-grant.htm
(last visited Mar. 13, 2012).
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The Bloodsworth program is a powerful investment for States seeking
to free innocent individuals and identify the individuals who actually
committed the crimes. The program has resulted in the exonerations of
51 wrongfully convicted persons in 14 States. The person who actually
committed the crime was identified in 13 of those cases. For example,
Virginian Thomas Haynesworth, who was wrongfully incarcerated for 27
years, was freed thanks to Bloodsworth-funded DNA testing that also
revealed the person who actually committed the crime. The culpable
person in that case went on to terrorize the community by attacking 12
women, with most of the attacks and rapes occurring while Mr.
Haynesworth was wrongfully incarcerated. Given the importance of this
program to both innocent individuals and public safety, we urge you to
provide $10 million to continue and expand the work of the Bloodsworth
Post-Conviction DNA Testing Program in fiscal year 2020.
the coverdell program
The Coverdell Program provides State and local crime laboratories
and medical examiner offices with much needed Federal funding to carry
out forensic testing and analysis both efficiently and effectively. As
forensic science budgets find themselves severely stretched in many
States and localities as a result of the opioid epidemic, and as
Federal bodies recommend the implementation of new policies, standards,
and guidelines, the Coverdell program funds are critical to ensure that
crime labs can function well and produce accurate and reliable results.
Additionally, in recognizing the need for independent government
investigations in the wake of allegations of forensic negligence or
misconduct, Congress created the forensic oversight provisions of the
Coverdell Program to help ensure the integrity of and public confidence
in forensic evidence. Specifically, Congress requires that a State or
unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General
certification that a government entity exists and an appropriate
process is in place to conduct independent external investigations into
allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially affecting
the integrity of the forensic results committed by employees or
contractors of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner's
office, coroner's office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical
facility in the State that will receive a portion of the grant amount.
As the program supports both the capacity of crime labs to process
forensic evidence and the essential function of ensuring the integrity
of forensic investigations in the wake of serious allegations of
negligence or misconduct, we urge you to provide $30 million for the
Coverdell Program in fiscal year 2020.
forensic science improvement
To continue the critical work to improve forensic science, and help
prevent wrongful convictions, we urge you to provide the following
amounts in fiscal year 2020 for forensic science improvements,
including:
--$4.2 million directed to the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) at the Department of Commerce to support
forensic science technical standards development, including $3
million to support the Organization of Scientific Area
Committees (OSAC) and $1.2 million to support technical merit
evaluations.
--$15 million for NIST to support forensic science research and
measurement science.
As the Federal entity that is both perfectly positioned and
institutionally constituted to conduct measurement science and
foundational research in support of forensic science, NIST's work will
improve the validity and reliability of forensic evidence, a need cited
by the National Academy of Sciences 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic
Science in the United States: A Path Forward.\2\ NIST's reputation for
innovation will result in technological solutions to advance forensic
science applications and achieve a tremendous cost savings by reducing
court costs posed by litigating scientific evidence.
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\2\ National Research Council. Strengthening Forensic Science in
the United States: A Path Forward. Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press, 2009. doi:10.17226/12589, p. 22-23.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The OSAC is seen by many as the most significant Federal forensic
science initiative in recent years. State and local forensic
scientists, who conduct the vast majority of forensic science casework,
are in strong support and are significantly involved in this effort. In
order for a standard to qualify for the registry that the OSAC
maintains, it must demonstrate that it is technically sound. Some
forensic science methods have not yet received an evaluation of their
technical merit and NIST needs further support to conduct these vital
reviews. At a time when public safety and national security are some of
our Nation's top priorities, it is imperative that Congress invest in
scientific tools that support these endeavors. The forensic science
activities and research at NIST will help greatly to improve forensic
disciplines and propel forensic science toward greater accuracy and
reliability.
conclusion
Thank you so much for your leadership in helping to ensure the
accuracy, integrity, and reliability of our Nation's criminal justice
system. We urge you to support all of the aforementioned programs,
including the Wrongful Conviction Review; Bloodsworth; Coverdell; and
NIST forensic science programs. If you have any questions, or need
additional information, please contact Jenny Collier, Federal Policy
Advisor to the Innocence Project at [email protected].
[This statement was submitted by Tricia Bushnell on behalf of the
Innocence Project, and as a member of the Innocence Network.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
On behalf of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, I am pleased to submit
this written testimony on our funding priorities and requests for the
fiscal year 2020 Department of Justice and Department of Commerce
Budgets. Our Budget Request endorses the requests and recommendations
of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the Pacific Salmon
Commission and the National Congress of American Indians. Failure to
fully fund public safety and justice in Indian country has undermined
Tribal sovereignty and the ability of Tribal governments to protect
their citizens and communities. American Indians/Alaska Natives suffer
from the Nation's highest rates of crime and victimization as
documented by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights. Based on recent appropriations, the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) is funding law enforcement at 20 percent of need,
detention at 40 percent of need and courts at 3 percent of need.
Insufficient base funding has many Tribes relying on short-term
competitive grants to try and address a portion of the funding
shortfall. Honoring the Federal trust obligation requires substantial
investment in public safety and justice in Indian country.
tribal specific--department of justice/department of commerce
1. Provide Recurring Base Funding for Tribal Justice Programs
2. Hold Indian Country Harmless from Budgetary Reductions,
Rescissions, and Sequestration
3. Data Collection to Support Funding Requests
regional requests and recommendations--department of commerce
Support the fiscal year 2019 request of the Pacific Salmon Commission
1. Provide $110 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
(NOAA/NMFS)
2. Provide $18.3 million for the Pacific Salmon treaty, including the
additional $5.5 million for the 2008 Chinook Salmon Agreement (NOAA/
NMFS)
3. Provide $20.3 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery Program (NOAA/
NMFS)
national requests and recommendations--department of justice
1. Fully Fund the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)
2. Fully Fund Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
3. Office of Justice Programs (OJP)--Create a Ten Percent (10 percent)
Tribal Set-Aside for Tribes
4. Victims of Crime Act Funding--Provide a 5 percent (5 percent) set
aside
5. Fund COPS Program--$52 million
tribal specific requests
1. Provide Recurring Base Funding for Tribal Justice Programs
Stable funding at sufficient levels is essential for viable and
effective Tribal justice institutions. Grant funding is, at best, a
short term investment that is used to support the ongoing and critical
Tribal justice needs. Although we appreciate the intent of the
Department in developing the CTAS to streamline the grant process and
provide Tribes a tool for quick access and reference to funding that is
specifically available to Tribes, competitive grants do not work well
as the main funding source. The time limitation leads to instability,
the administrative burden on Tribes remains excessive, the lack of
flexibility creates challenges to addressing justice needs, funding is
insufficient, and the CTAS application process is highly competitive,
tedious, and complex and there are many restrictions imposed on how
Tribes may use the funds. Base funding coupled with more flexibility
would allow for more effective and efficient use of the Federal dollar
and stronger Tribal justice systems.
2. Hold Indian Country Programs Harmless from Budgetary Reductions,
Rescissions and Sequestration
Decades of unfulfilled Federal obligations has devastated Tribal
communities who continue to face persistent shortfalls and overwhelming
unfulfilled Federal obligations as documented by the U.S. Civil Rights
Commission 2018 Report: Broken Promises Continuing Federal Funding
Shortfall for Native Americans. Sequestration, reductions and
rescissions further exasperate an already precarious budget situation
undermining the Tribes ability to maximize program operations and their
ability to provide basic services to our citizens. In addition, many of
these reductions are permanent rescissions and the cumulative effect
over the years has critically impacted Tribal communities. Until Tribes
attain exclusive taxing jurisdiction within their Tribal lands, Federal
support remains critical to ensure the delivery of essential
governmental services to our Tribal citizens. The Federal trust
obligation must be honored and vital programs and services for Tribes
must be sustained and held harmless in any budgetary deal enacted to
reduce the national deficit.
3. Improve Data Collection to Support Tribal Funding Requests
Data is critical to support Tribal policy goals, implementation of
programs and services, managing impacts of the Federal investment and
community planning for program success. Accurate data can capture the
community needs and guide Tribal investments resulting in efficient and
effective use of resources and strong Tribal justice systems. However,
there is a lack of available data and data gathering throughout the
Federal agencies. OMB and the Agencies should work together with Tribes
to develop uniform measures that track Federal spending for Native
American programs and services and that capture the unfulfilled Federal
obligations.
regional requests and recommendations
1. $110 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (NOAA/
NMFS)
The fiscal year 2018 appropriations provided a total of $65.0
million. These funds have decreased from the peak of $110.0 million in
fiscal year 2002. The Tribes' overall goal in the PCSRF program is to
restore wild salmon populations while the key objective is to protect
and restore important habitat in Puget Sound and along the Washington
coast. These funds support policy and technical capacities within
Tribal resources management to plan, implement, and monitor recovery
activities.
2. $18.3 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty--The U.S. Section
estimates that this funding is needed to implement national commitments
created by the Treaty (NOAA/NMFS)
The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) establishes fishery regimes,
develops management recommendations, assesses each country's
performance and compliance with the treaty, and is the forum for all
entities to work towards reaching an agreement on mutual fisheries
issues
3. $20.3 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery Program (NOAA/NMFS)
Funding is provided for the operation and maintenance of hatcheries
that release between 50 and 60 million juvenile salmon and steelhead in
Oregon and Washington. This program has historically provided fish
production for Tribal treaty and non-Tribal commercial and recreational
fisheries in the Columbia River, and also contributes to ocean
fisheries from Northern California to Southeast Alaska.
national requests and recommendations department of justice
1. Fully Fund the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)
The Tribal Law and Order Act was an important step in empowering
Tribes to better address the unique public safety challenges and reduce
the prevalence of violent crime in Indian country. However, effective
implementation of TLOA is contingent upon adequate Federal funding.
Funding is needed to implement the comprehensive and improved measures
that were enacted to address the public safety crisis in Tribal
communities. The entire Tribal justice system is dependent on this
funding to carry out law enforcement, court, and detention functions,
and to provide rehabilitation and preventive services. Tribal justice
systems are the cornerstone that paves the way for economic development
and Tribal self-sufficiency.
2. Fully Fund Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Including $5 million
for VAWA Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
The Office on Violence Against Women provides funding for Tribes to
assist victims of domestic violence. Funding for Tribal governments is
derived from other OVW Programs and combined into a single source
called the ``Grants to Tribal Governments Program''. Therefore, it is
imperative to Tribes that these other programs receive full funding so
the Tribal grant program will, in turn, receive full funding. The root
cause of these high rates of violence was a justice system that forced
Tribal governments to rely on distant Federal, and in some cases, State
officials to investigate and prosecute incidences of domestic violence
committed by non-Natives against Native women. The statistics on
violence against Native women show that outside law enforcement has
proven ineffective in addressing these crimes of violence. Between 2005
and 2007, U.S. Attorneys declined to prosecute nearly 52 percent of
violent crimes that occurred in Indian country; and 67 percent of cases
declined were sexual abuse related cases. It is unconscionable to force
Tribes to submit to a system of justice that declines to prosecute over
half the criminal cases brought before it and leaves our Native women
without judicial recourse.
3. Office of Justice Programs (OJP)--Provide a 10 percent Tribal Set-
Aside for all (OJP) Programs and Allow for Greater Flexibility
The Office of Justice Program (OJP) provides funding to Tribes to
address public safety and criminal justice needs in Indian communities.
We are advocating for a 10 percent Tribal set-aside to allow for a more
flexible grant structure for Tribes to complement the Coordinated
Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) grant. Although Congress and the
administration have taken steps in recent years to try and address some
of these concerns through the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act
(TLOA) of 2010 and the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA) of 2013, significant funding is needed in order to implement
these new authorities to address the crisis level need in Indian
country and elevate the safety and wellness of our Tribal citizens and
communities. Tribal court systems are evolving to meet the increasing
demands of Tribal communities and ensure that Tribal citizens are
provided with adequate legal representation and protection. Under TLOA
and VAWA Tribal courts are required to expand judicial services and
meet certain costly thresholds, including, providing public defenders,
recording criminal proceedings, and retaining legally trained and
licensed Tribal judges. Without adequate funding for Tribal court
systems, decisions to arrest, prosecute and detain will be based on
financial restraints rather than in the best interest of public safety.
Stable funding for Tribal courts is a prerequisite to ensure a safe,
healthy and thriving Tribal community.
4. Increase the Funding Caps and Create a Permanent Five Percent (5
percent) Tribal Set-Aside for Victims of Crime Act Funding
We commend Congress for providing a 3 percent set aside for Tribes
in the Victim of Crimes Fund in the fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year
2019 Budget. We request that a similar Tribal set aside is included in
the fiscal year 2020 appropriations. Congress created the Crime Victims
Fund in 1984 with the idea that money collected from those who commit
crimes should be used to assist those that have been victimized. Each
year, the fund is financed by the collection of funds, penalties and
bond forfeitures from defendants convicted of Federal crimes. It is
important to note that the fund receives no tax payer dollars. DOJ
disburses funds to States and other entities. Crime victimization rates
on Tribal lands have been estimated as much as 250 percent higher than
the national rate and the rate of murder of American Indian/Alaska
Native women on some reservations are 1000 percent higher than the
national average. Tribal governments, like State governments, are
responsible for addressing the needs of victims in their communities.
Despite the devastating rates of victimization in Tribal communities,
Indian Tribes have largely been left out of the fund. Indian Tribes are
only able to access these dollars through State pass through grants or
very limited short term competitive DOJ grants. However, many States do
not provide funds to Tribes for victim services and the vast majority
of Tribes are unable to access these funds at all. Tribes are again
requesting a Tribal set-aside of 5 percent of the VOCA funds. .
5. Fund the COPS Program--$52 million
The COPS Office provides funding to Tribes for law enforcement
officers. The funding can also be used for training, equipment,
vehicle, and technology. There is a great need for additional law
enforcement officers throughout Indian country but limited resources
has led to inadequate funding for justice systems, specifically, in the
area of hiring, retention and training of law enforcement officers. It
is imperative for the safety of Tribal citizens and surrounding
communities that a significant increase in funding is allocated for
Tribal law enforcement officers and programs.
I would like to extend my thanks to the subcommittee for an
opportunity to submit testimony on the fiscal year 2020 Appropriations
for DOJ and DOC.
[This statement was submitted by W. Ron Allen, Tribal Chairman/
CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and other distinguished
Members of the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies, we thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony
regarding the fiscal year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies appropriations bill. We are deeply appreciative of the
comprehensive funding that you provided to ocean priorities in the
fiscal year 2019 Omnibus. We recognize the difficulty of allocating
resources in these challenging fiscal times and we laud your decision
to support key ocean accounts despite the administration's short-
sighted proposed cuts to core ocean and coastal programs.
For fiscal year 2020, we are again facing a long list of accounts
that would be eliminated or severely hamstrung by the President's
Budget, including bedrock staples such as Sea Grant, Coastal Zone
Management Grants, ocean observations, ocean acidification, and
fisheries management. If enacted, these cuts would undermine our
investments and compromise our ability to address the ongoing impacts
of a changing climate, protect and promote economic development,
safeguard our citizens, and responsibly balance the use of our oceans
and coasts.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (Joint Initiative) is a
collaborative, bipartisan effort to catalyze action and monitor
progress toward meaningful ocean policy reform. We believe that a
continued commitment to protecting base funding and core programs at
NOAA, NSF, and NASA is an investment that will save lives, protect
national security, grow our economy, and preserve the health of our
oceans and coasts. Ocean observations play a critical role in
maintaining our undersea superiority and ocean and coastal resources
provide fundamental goods and services, including food, minerals,
transportation, medicines, tourism, and recreational opportunities. In
2015, the ocean economy contributed more than $320 billion to the GDP
and directly supported over 3.2 million jobs, many of which were
located in coastal counties. Moreover, ocean and coastal environments
are often the first line of defense when it comes to promoting
resilience and protecting American communities from severe weather
events.
Based on the need for significant and sustained investment to
invigorate public-private partnerships and energize national, regional,
State, and local initiatives, we strongly support increasing NOAA's
overall budget to a minimum of $6.5 billion, NSF's overall budget to a
minimum of $9 billion, and NASA Earth Science's budget to a minimum of
$2.1 billion. We believe the recommendations articulated in this
testimony represent a modest investment relative to the threats and
opportunities facing oceans and coastal communities, as the benefits
they confer significantly outweigh the costs. The Joint Initiative is
highly appreciative of progress the subcommittee has made in providing
resources to essential ocean and coastal accounts, and we urge you to
continue supporting these priorities.
research, exploration, and observation
A critical component of America's economic, military, and
diplomatic power lies in its ocean science, research, education,
exploration, monitoring, and observation enterprises. Especially given
the pace of observed changes in climate and ocean chemistry, we
strongly urge the subcommittee to protect vital ocean science and
research capabilities.
Observation and monitoring programs, as well as other scientific
and data programs, are integral to NOAA's ability to accurately
forecast weather. They are central for NOAA's protection and management
of America's coastal and ocean resources and for the U.S. military's
navigation and extreme weather preparedness. We ask that your committee
continue to support enhanced capabilities for observation and
monitoring by allocating $550 million to NOAA's Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR) and $53 million to NOAA's Sustained Ocean
Observations and Monitoring Program. We also suggest the committee
allocate $50 million for the Ocean Exploration program to maintain the
pace, scope, and efficiency of exploration. NOAA's Ocean Exploration
program has a long history of bipartisan support and has greatly
contributed to our knowledge of the ocean, largely by utilizing
supporting infrastructure such as ships, moorings, buoys, and
autonomous underwater vehicles, and computational and data management
hardware. It is also critical to fund climate research at OAR at no
less than $160 million to promote high-priority climate science that
advances our understanding of Earth's climate system and foster the
application of this research in risk management and adaptation efforts
In addition, we recommend allocating $9 billion for the NSF. NSF's
investment in the geosciences--which includes ocean sciences--has
spurred innovations, addressed salient national and global challenges,
galvanized new economic sectors, generated countless jobs, and led to
the development and implementation of advanced technologies. Finally,
we recommend you allocate $2.1 billion in funding for NASA's Earth
Science Division to improve national capabilities to predict climate,
weather, and natural hazards, and better manage national resources.
It is essential that Congress provide the operational and
maintenance support necessary to keep research, monitoring, and
exploration infrastructure functioning, and to facilitate its
modernization. In combination with remote sensing, ocean observation
infrastructure has helped to establish and maintain the long-term in-
situ data sets that are essential to safeguarding U.S. assets and
understanding changes in physical, chemical, and biological processes.
These data sets have generated vital tools that support the American
economy and environment. Maintaining U.S. research and development
infrastructure is critical to our long-term economic competitiveness.
education and extension
The National Sea Grant College Program works to better understand,
conserve, and utilize America's coastal resources, making it critical
to coastal states, communities, and economies. Sea Grant works to
extend the findings of marine and coastal research to impact American
livelihoods. For example, Sea Grant programs support fisheries and
aquaculture business development and help Americans plan for and
respond to extreme weather events. We are alarmed by the President's
proposal to eliminate funding for Sea Grant, and we urge this committee
to secure the benefits that Sea Grant provides by allocating $93.5
million to Sea Grant in fiscal year 2020.
Likewise, we are equally alarmed by the elimination of funding for
environmental education and ocean stewardship at NOAA. We urge the
committee to provide $12 million for the Bay-Watershed Education and
Training (B-WET) program and $8 million for Environmental Literacy
Programs (ELP), which are essential for STEM education and encouraging
environmental stewardship.
resilience and security
Variability in oceanographic and atmospheric conditions, coupled
with demographic changes that increasingly crowd our coasts, make the
impact of storms and flooding events more severe. Changing weather and
charged geopolitical relationships heighten the already serious need
for ocean and coastal security. Ocean and coastal communities must be
safeguarded and made more resilient. Congress took a pioneering first
step with the fiscal year 2018 Omnibus by authorizing $30 million for
the National Ocean and Coastal Security Fund (NOCSF), and built upon
this work by authorizing another $30 million for the NOCSF in fiscal
year 2019. We ask this subcommittee to continue leading on ocean and
coastal security by allocating $50 million for the NOCSF in fiscal year
2020. We further recommend that a portion of this funding continue to
support critical ocean partnerships that encourage collaboration and
data sharing on the regional scale. In addition, we recommend a total
allocation of $80 million to Coastal Management Grants and a minimum
allocation of $28 million for the National Estuarine Research Reserve
System in fiscal year 2020. These programs, eliminated in the
administration's budget, support vital Federal/state partnerships to
help protect our coasts and preserve millions of acres of coastal
habitat, buffering against rising seas and storm events.
NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is also critical for sustained
resilience and security. We strongly recommend that NOS receive an
allocation of $600 million. NOS funding supports economy boosting
programs that ensure safe and efficient transportation and commerce;
preparedness and risk reduction; and stewardship, recreation, and
tourism. For example, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management delivers
technical assistance communities need to address storm preparedness,
erosion, development, habitat loss, sea level rise, and threats to
water quality. Moreover, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
provides coastal managers with the scientific information they need to
protect public health, preserve valued habitats, and foster sustainable
community interaction with coastal ecosystems. In addition, NOS
supports the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which plays an
instrumental role in collecting and distributing data that is used at
the national, regional, State, and local levels.
The NOS is also responsible for administering the Office of
National Marine Sanctuaries and a range of restoration projects that
dramatically enhance the resilience of coastal communities and ocean
environments. It is worth noting that these investments pay serious
economic dividends: National Marine Sanctuaries generate approximately
$8 billion annually for local economies and NOAA's restoration projects
create an average of 17 jobs for every $1 million invested. Moreover,
every dollar invested in strengthening coastal communities against
storm surge mitigates four dollars in losses. We ask the subcommittee
to support the NOCSF and the NOS to bolster the Nation's economic and
environmental resilience and security.
ocean acidification
Ocean acidification is evident along every shoreline and is having
major impacts on economies worldwide. By changing the chemistry of
seawater, ocean acidification endangers shellfish, corals, and other
marine life that form calcium shells or skeletons and disrupts marine
food webs. In the United States, ocean acidification poses a
fundamental risk to our fisheries and aquaculture industries. Left
unresolved, ocean acidification will exact a substantial toll on the
world's economies and diminish our capacity to nourish growing
populations. We strongly urge you to allocate a minimum of $50 million
for NOAA's Integrated Ocean Acidification program. Funding the
Integrated Ocean Acidification program at elevated levels will support
critical research, monitoring, education, and outreach. It will help
develop a better understanding of the causes, impacts, and scale of
ocean acidification and identify interventions to help protect
fisheries and aquaculture.
sustainable fisheries
Fishing is a cornerstone of the ocean economy and an important
aspect of American history and culture. Since 1976, we have seen
tremendous progress toward creating and maintaining sustainable
fisheries domestically and internationally. Much of this progress can
be credited to your Subcommittee's commitment to scientifically-sound
fishery management and the tireless efforts of U.S. fishermen, regional
fishery management councils, state commissions, scientists, and
managers.
However, America's fisheries are currently facing unprecedented
challenges including changing ocean conditions, impacts from land-based
activities, shifts in historic stock distributions, increasingly
complex data requirements, and a rapidly growing recreational fishing
sector. Globally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
remains a threat to fisheries sustainability worldwide. NOAA Fisheries
requires elevated funding to address these numerous challenges. For
example, better science and real-time data can improve the quality of
management decisions and provide regional management councils with more
tools to assess the current status of fish stocks. To protect America's
fisheries and the jobs that rely on them, we recommend allocating $1.1
billion to the National Marine Fisheries Service to fully implement the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This should
include the ability to improve the coastal infrastructure on which
fisheries depend and address threats that changing conditions pose. We
also urge you to support full implementation of the U.S. Seafood Import
Monitoring Program to address IUU fishing and other initiatives to
spread sustainable fisheries management globally.
concluding remarks
The Joint Initiative greatly appreciates your commitment to
stretching scarce resources to address the challenges of our maritime
Nation. We thank you for the substantial funding allotted to ocean
priorities in fiscal year 2019, and we appreciate your consideration of
our fiscal year 2020 request. We will continue to track progress on key
ocean and coastal programs and accounts in fiscal year 2020 and beyond,
and we stand ready to assist you in advancing positive and lasting
changes in the way we manage our Nation's oceans and coasts.
joint initiative co-chairs and leadership council members
The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman
The Honorable Norman Mineta
Frances Beinecke
Don Boesch
Lillian Borrone
The Honorable Norm Dicks
Quenton Dokken
Robert Gagosian
Sherri Goodman
Scott Gudes
The Honorable Conrad Lautenbacher
Margaret Leinen
The Honorable Jane Lubchenco
Julie Packard
The Honorable Leon Panetta
John Pappalardo
The Honorable Pietro Parravano
Diane Regas
Randy Repass
Andrew Rosenberg
The Honorable William Ruckelshaus
Paul Sandifer
______
Prepared Statement of Karl Anderson, Director of Government Relations
on behalf of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of
America, and Soil Science Society of America
national science foundation
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of
America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), represent
over 18,000 scientists in academia, industry, and government, over
13,500 Certified Crop Advisers (CCA), and more than 700 Certified
Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS). We are the largest coalition of
professionals dedicated to the agronomic, crop and soil science
disciplines in the United States.
In the coming decades, our agricultural system must sustainably
produce food and fuel for a rapidly growing global population. The
Nation's economic prosperity and security depend on our dedication to
developing innovative, science-based solutions to address the
challenges facing our food system. The ASA, CSSA, and SSSA appreciate
the appropriations that that National Science Foundation (NSF) received
in fiscal year 2018 and 2019. Yet, as our Nation's farmers face
increasing extreme weather and market uncertainty, NSF's programs
become even more important providers of the science they need to stay
in business. NSF's Big Ideas initiatives, its core programs that
sustain research infrastructure, and its unparalleled support for STEM
students and the future STEM workforce require increased investment.
We support $9 billion for the National Science Foundation in fiscal
year 2020 appropriations.
This funding level will put the premier government-funding agency
for scientific research on track to address farmers' challenges by
increasing the broad knowledge base supported by a wide range of
scientific disciplines, such as biology, plant science, chemistry and
soil science.
Within NSF we are very supportive of Innovations at the Nexus of
Food, Energy, and Water Systems. There is a pressing need to understand
the interconnectedness of food, energy and water. Of particular
interest is the production, resilience, safety, and security of food,
energy, and water resources. Continuing droughts and hurricanes in the
U.S. and the corresponding impacts on water, food production and the
energy sector is an example of these challenges.
We urge you to include report language highlighting the importance
of this effort and the need to better understand the fundamental
science behind the interconnected food-energy-water system.
Science is essential. A strong commitment to federally funded
scientific research will boost the Nation's capacity for innovation,
agricultural productivity and economic prosperity.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide written testimony and look
forward to working with the subcommittee as it considers funding for
the National Science Foundation. Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is pleased to submit this statement in
support of increased funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) within the fiscal year 2020 Commerce-Justice-
Science Appropriations Act. The Aquarium recognizes NOAA's critical
role in serving as the Nation's lead science agency and information
provider on oceanic and atmospheric matters. NOAA's work supports
millions of American businesses and citizens through its science,
stewardship and safety mission every day of the year. NOAA's research,
environmental observations and predictions, marine conservation and
management, as well as its education programs and services shape the
way we live today and provide the environmental intelligence to guide
decisionmaking about the health of the coupled ocean and climate
systems.
The Aquarium is grateful for the subcommittee's support of NOAA in
the fiscal year 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act, including
programs to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
marine debris, and continue NOAA research and education programming.
For fiscal year 2020, we urge the subcommittee to continue its balanced
and strategic investment strategy for NOAA, including restoration of
the extramural ocean and coastal research, conservation, and education
programs proposed for either elimination or drastic reduction by the
administration. In addition, and importantly, we urge the subcommittee
to enhance funding within NOAA Fisheries for both Illegal, Unreported,
and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and highly migratory species research,
specifically Management Strategy Evaluation for Pacific bluefin tuna.
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation
of the ocean. We carry out this mission by providing an educational
experience that connects over 2 million visitors per year to some of
the most striking species and ecosystems on our planet. The Aquarium
uses exhibits and educational programs to demonstrate the connection
between the ocean and our human existence--from the air we breathe to
the weather patterns and resources that drive our multi-billion-dollar
blue economy. The Aquarium's strategic conservation priorities are
aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges to ocean
health, including those posed by plastic pollution, unsustainable
fisheries and aquaculture, threats to ocean wildlife and special
places, and the ocean impacts of climate change and acidification. Like
NOAA, science underpins our approach to ocean conservation challenges,
and we seek a collaborative approach that encourages partnerships with
the private sector, governments, academia and other stakeholders. The
Aquarium's Conservation and Science programs are working on significant
policy issues that impact ocean health both here and around the world.
We bring decades of expertise and relationships in ocean science,
policy, and markets to the task, and we use our voice as a trusted
source of ocean information to make a difference globally--among
policymakers, the business community, and with individuals. Our
priorities are well aligned with NOAA's mission and programs, and
future progress on these critical topics will rely on NOAA's continued
ability to provide robust data, management expertise, and services to
the public and partners. In particular, NOAA ensures the U.S. remains a
global leader in sustainable fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Act
and provides the science needed to engineer lasting solutions to ocean
threats. The enhanced funding requests below are intended to support US
leadership on ocean policy around the world.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing/Seafood
Traceability.--Global losses attributable to IUU fishing are estimated
to be between $10 and $23 billion annually, and has links to other
forms of criminal activity, as well as slavery and human rights abuses.
IUU fishing also undermines economic opportunities for legitimate
fishermen in the U.S. and has global implications for national security
and food security. In recent years, Congress has provided new
authorities and funding to fight IUU fishing. These bills passed with
broad bipartisan support, highlighting the importance of these
activities to American businesses, consumers and the public.
A key portion of IUU activities is NOAA's implementation of the
Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). In April 2018, NOAA lifted
its stay on shrimp and abalone in SIMP, and at the end of the year it
became mandatory for foreign shrimp (the top U.S. seafood import) and
abalone imports to be accompanied by harvest, landing and chain of
custody records as part of compliance with SIMP. However, shrimp and
abalone have been in a period of ``informed compliance'' from December
31, 2018 through April 1, 2019 to allow importers to phase in the new
requirements. NOAA continues to work toward full implementation and
optimization of SIMP. Additional funding is needed to ensure full and
effective implementation of SIMP, including adding shrimp and abalone
to the program, as well as increased port inspections, enforcement and
supply chain audits that are critical to ensure compliance.
The Aquarium urges the subcommittee to provide at least an
additional $5 million beyond the administration's request for
activities to address IUU fishing in fiscal year 2020. The funding will
ensure strong implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program
in 2020, as well as improved international enforcement and port
security responsibilities under the SAFE Ports Act. These funds will
improve the ability of the Federal Government to identify, inspect and
enforce against imported IUU products coming into U.S. commerce and
will enhance efforts to incentivize foreign compliance with
international laws.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna.--Pacific bluefin tuna, a highly migratory
species, are critical to California's economy and key top predator in
the ocean. The population has been depleted to 3.3 percent of historic
size--the lowest of all commercially harvested tunas globally. Pacific
bluefin tuna are managed through international agreements, and the U.S.
has been a leader in advocating to recover the species to sustainable
levels, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). In 2017 the
U.S., working with Aquarium experts and the U.S. recreational sector,
secured an international agreement to recover the population to
sustainable levels by 2034--a major achievement. However, in the coming
year, achieving this hard-won recovery plan is at risk if countries do
not follow a precautionary approach and decide to increase quotas,
exacerbating the existing overfishing problem.
The U.S. has been a leader in advocating for strong science to
guide management and recovery of Pacific bluefin tuna to sustainable
levels. A key part of the solution is to bring scientists, managers and
stakeholders together through a process called Management Strategy
Evaluation (MSE). MSE has been identified globally as an optimal
``next-generation'' fishery management process to build consensus and
support for science-based management in international highly migratory
species, particularly tunas. Importantly, the MSE process will improve
the ability to meet the needs of U.S. stakeholders and ensure
population recovery. Funding to increase NOAA's MSE scientific capacity
would enhance the U.S. negotiating position, increase transparency and
position the U.S. to lead MSE for other valuable tunas and highly
migratory species.
In the last 2 years, the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations
Act Report emphasized Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico highly migratory
species issues, but unfortunately did not similarly recognize the key
threats in the Pacific. Pacific tuna fisheries are in dire need of
attention in the face of increasing pressure from non-U.S. fishing
vessels and interests, especially the iconic Pacific bluefin tuna. We
need to maintain a strong management presence and scientific authority
on this issue to prevent weakening of the recovery plan and ensure this
pattern does not spread to other U.S. key tuna species and fisheries in
the Pacific.
We request the subcommittee to increase funding within NOAA
Fisheries by $1 million over fiscal year 2019 to prioritize and add MSE
capacity, including for Pacific bluefin tuna, and to allocate resources
for highly migratory species research equitably among the regions. In
addition, we urge the subcommittee to call on NOAA Fisheries to provide
resources to support continued engagement by the Pacific Fishery
Management Council to position the U.S. in the international
negotiations and ensure progress on the Pacific bluefin tuna recovery
plan.
Marine Debris.--Our ocean is at increasing risk from growing levels
of plastic pollution. Studies estimate that an average of eight million
metric tons of plastic enter the global ocean each year. Unless we curb
the flow, this number is expected to double by 2025, which poses a
growing risk to water quality, wildlife and human health. NOAA's Marine
Debris program offers competitive grants for aquariums and others to
work with Federal, State, and local partners on marine debris education
and reduction projects. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has previously
received $52,306 from this program for our Ocean Plastic Pollution
Summit for Teachers. Over 100 pre-K to 12th grade teachers from
throughout California have participated in the Summit and follow-up
activities, learning how to use the issue of ocean plastic pollution to
engage their students in marine conservation and science. We request
support for the NOAA Marine Debris Program of at least $10 million in
fiscal year 2020.
Ocean Science and Technology.--The Aquarium collaborates with the
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) on science and
conservation issues of mutual interest. The success of our efforts to
engage cutting edge research to address challenging ocean-related
issues is dependent on a vibrant ocean science and technology
enterprise. Through NOAA and the other relevant agencies, including NSF
and NASA, the Aquarium recommends the subcommittee provide support that
will address the research challenges contained in the National
Academies' Sea Change and in Science and Technology for America's
Oceans: A Decadal Vision published last year by the interagency
subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.
There are a number of other important NOAA programs that make
important contributions to the vitality of our U.S. economy, our
communities and way of life. We urge the subcommittee to support the
following programs:
Ocean Education.--We urge the subcommittee to reject the
administration's plan to terminate NOAA education programs and request
$20 million for the NOAA Education Program, including funding to
maintain the Environmental Literacy Grants Program (including ocean
education grants), and $12 million for the Bay, Watershed, Education
and Training Program.
Bycatch Reduction.--We recommend the subcommittee include at least
$2.5 million for bycatch reduction competitive grants to non-Federal
researchers for the development and implementation of practical bycatch
solutions that support sustainable U.S. fisheries.
Marine Aquaculture.--We request that the subcommittee fund NOAA's
marine aquaculture programs within NOAA Fisheries and in the Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) through the Sea Grant Program at
least at $12 million and $15 million, respectively.
National Marine Sanctuaries and National Monuments.--We request the
subcommittee fund Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas at $57 million
within NOAA's ORF account in NOS, and $8.5 million for Marine
Sanctuaries Construction within NOAA's PAC account. In addition, we
request sufficient funding to support Papahanaumokuakea, Rose Atoll and
New England Coral Canyons marine national monuments.
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.--We
call on the subcommittee to reject the administration's proposal to
terminate the program, and fund the program at $4 million.
NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants (Title IX).--We request that the
subcommittee support NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants at $35 million to
prepare for and recover from extreme weather events, climate hazards
and changing ocean conditions.
NOAA National Sea Grant College Program.--We urge the subcommittee
to reject the administration's proposal to terminate the Sea Grant
Program, and provide $93.5 million.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests and look forward
to working with you to ensure strong support for these important ocean
research and conservation programs.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Margaret Spring, Chief
Conservation Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National American Indian Court Judges
Association
On behalf of the National American Indian Court Judges Association
(NAICJA), this testimony addresses important programs in the Department
of Justice and Department of Commerce. Specifically, NAICJA joins the
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in requesting:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCAI Fiscal Year 2020
Agency and Program Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOJ: Tribal Grants--Eliminate competitive Use DOJ appropriations as
grant funding process and utilize DOJ base funding with Tribes
appropriations as base funding where setting own priorities
Tribes determine priorities.
DOJ: Tribal Set-Aside from Office of Create a 10 percent Tribal
Justice Programs. set-aside for all
discretionary Office of
Justice Programs (OJP)
programs
DOJ: Tribal Youth Program under the $25,000,000
Juvenile Accountability Block Grants
Program.
DOJ: Crime Victims Fund................... Create a 5 percent set-aside
for Tribal governments
DOJ: Community Oriented Policing Services $52,000,000
(COPS) Tribal Law Enforcement.
DOJ: Tribal programs under the Violence Provide full authorized
Against Women Act. amount
Commerce: 2020 Census..................... Provide the Census Bureau
with at least $8.45 billion
in fiscal year 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAICJA is a national, non-profit association comprised of Tribal
justice personnel, including Tribal leaders, judges, justices, court
administrators, court clerks, Indian law practitioners and scholars,
and others devoted to supporting and strengthening Tribal justice
systems. NAICJA's mission, as a national representative membership
organization, is to strengthen and enhance Tribal justice systems
through education, information sharing, and advocacy. Established in
1969, NAICJA has a long history of dedication to providing educational
support for Tribal court judges and court-related personnel.
department of justice
The public safety problems that continue to plague Tribal
communities are the result of decades of gross underfunding for Tribal
criminal justice systems; a uniquely complex jurisdictional scheme; and
the historic, abject failure by the Federal Government to fulfill its
public safety obligations on American Indian and Alaska Native lands.
Crime rates in Tribal communities are among the highest in the Nation
and American Indians and Alaska Natives experience rates of violent
crime that are 2.5 times the national average. Residents and visitors
on Tribal lands deserve the safety and security that is taken for
granted outside of Indian Country. Increased and streamlined funding in
the following program areas will have a huge impact on safety in Tribal
communities for Tribal citizens, residents, and visitors to Tribal
lands.
Include Tribal governments in disbursements from the Crime Victims
Fund (a mandatory account).--The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) is the
Federal Government's primary funding source for providing services to
victims of crime. NAICJA expresses our sincere gratitude to
appropriators for providing a direct funding stream for Tribal
governments from the CVF for the first time in fiscal year 2018 and
again in fiscal year 2019. For this funding to achieve its purpose,
however, it needs to be recurring funds that Tribal governments can
plan on in order to ensure program stability for victims for the long
term. We urge appropriators to keep disbursements from the CVF at the
increased level and to direct an amount equal to 5 percent of overall
CVF disbursements to Tribal governments.
Create a streamlined Tribal allocation across Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) programs.--For several years the administration has
proposed bill language that would streamline and consolidate OJP Tribal
programs by allocating 7 percent from all discretionary OJP programs to
address Indian country public safety and Tribal justice needs. In past
years, both the House and Senate CJS Subcommittees have supported this
request, but it has never been enacted. One of the biggest shortcomings
of DOJ Tribal funding is that it is administered as competitive
funding. In order to obtain this funding, Tribal nations--on behalf of
their Tribal justice systems--must compete against each other under
priorities and guidelines established by DOJ. As a result, Tribal
nations must develop projects that align with changing DOJ priorities
and cannot count on funding continuing beyond the current grant period.
A streamlined OJP Tribal allocation would significantly improve the
Federal funding process by which Tribal nations receive resources to
establish Tribal courts; assist in developing detention facilities;
provide legal assistance; develop and maintain juvenile delinquency
prevention programs; and provide substance abuse prevention programs.
Further, the Tribal allocation would give Tribal nations the
flexibility to develop a detailed strategic plan on how best to spend
those resources.
If Congress declines to adopt the flexible allocation across OJP
programs, restore fiscal year 2010 levels of $25 million in funding for
the Tribal Youth Program under the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants
program.--Although Native children compromise only 2.2 percent of the
overall youth population, they are arrested at a rate of more than two-
to-three times that of other ethnic groups. According to a recent DOJ
report, ``[s]ubstance abuse, depression, and gang involvement fuel a
vast majority of the offenses for which American Indian juveniles are
disproportionately confined.'' Funding for the Tribal Youth Program has
decreased significantly in recent years and should be restored to its
fiscal year 2010 level of $25 million.
Increase funding of Tribal law enforcement programs under DOJ's
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grants to $52 million.--
Since the creation of the COPS Office, more than 2,000 grants totaling
more than $400 million have been awarded to Tribal nations to hire more
than 1,700 new or redeployed law enforcement officers. It has also
helped Tribal nations to obtain necessary law enforcement training,
equipment, vehicles, and technology. Yet, there is still a tremendous
unmet need within Tribal justice systems for more COPS funding. The
COPS Office has acknowledged that due to limited resources, it has not
been able to adequately fund Tribal justice systems, particularly in
the area of hiring/retaining Tribal law enforcement officers. In a
report released in December 2010, the COPS Office described its
practice of intermittent funding as ``problematic,'' especially ``when
referring to hiring of officers.'' Indian Country urges Congress to
significantly increase funding for Tribal law enforcement programs
under the COPS program.
Fully fund the programs authorized in the Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA), including the funds authorized for Tribal implementation of
VAWA special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction.--It is estimated
that over 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women will
experience violent victimization in their lifetimes. OVW provides
funding to Tribal governments to address violence against women in
their communities. OVW's largest source of funding for Tribal
governments is the Grants to Tribal Governments Program, which is
funded via statutory allocations from other OVW programs. Fully-funding
these OVW programs results in full funding for the Grants to Tribal
Governments Program.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013)
recognized and affirmed the inherent sovereign authority of Indian
Tribes to exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
(SDVCJ) over all persons--Indian and non-Indian--who commit crimes of
dating violence, domestic violence, and violations of protection orders
within Indian country. The bill authorized $5 million per year for 5
years for Indian Tribes to implement the VAWA 2013 provisions and
otherwise strengthen Tribal justice systems. In fiscal year 2019, $4
million was appropriated for this program. We urge Congress to
appropriate the full amount authorized for VAWA implementation purposes
so that more communities are able to take advantage of this lifesaving
law.
department of commerce
Provide the Census Bureau with at least $8.45 billion in fiscal
year 2020.--The census is a critical and powerful information source
that will significantly influence American policy for the coming
decade. An accurate count is necessary to ensure the fair distribution
of billions of dollars to Tribal nations and American Indian/Alaska
Native people across the United States. Certain population groups are
at higher risk of being missed in the decennial census--groups
considered hard-to-count. Native people especially on reservations and
in Alaska Native villages have been historically underrepresented in
the census. In the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau estimates that
American Indians and Alaska Natives living on reservations or in Native
villages were undercounted by approximately 4.9 percent, more than
double the undercount rate of the next closest population group. The
President's budget request was significantly lower than Secretary
Ross's estimates of overall costs, and we urge Congress to ensure
sufficient funding for a successful 2020 Census, including funding for
Questionnaire Assistance Centers, which currently are not included in
the Census Bureau's operational plan. With only half the number of
Regional Census Centers and local census offices across the country, it
will be important to expand the field footprint, to provide 'safe
space' for people who do not have reliable Internet access, are wary of
using the telephone to respond, or need assistance filling out a paper
form, to meet with sworn Census Bureau employees near where they live.
conclusion
Thank you for your consideration of this testimony. For more
information, please contact: A. Nikki Borchardt Campbell at
[email protected] or Ansley Sherman at [email protected].
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund
Congressman Jose Serrano Congressman Robert Aderholt
Chair, Commerce, Justice, Science Ranking Member, Commerce,
House Appropriations Committee Justice,
H-305, Capitol Building Science
Washington, DC 20515 House Appropriations Committee
1016 Longworth Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Senator Jerry Moran Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Chair, Commerce, Justice, Science Ranking Member, Commerce,
Senate Appropriations Committee Justice,
142 Dirksen Office Building Science
Washington, DC 20510 Senate Appropriations Committee
125 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Serrano, Ranking Member Aderholt, Chairman Moran, and
Ranking Member Shaheen:
On behalf of the National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, I write to urge your
support for appropriations of at least $8.448 billion for the Census
Bureau in fiscal year 2020. We also request that you adopt a
prohibition on expenditures on a decennial survey including any
questions not within the scope of the topics submitted to Congress in
March 2017.
NALEO Educational Fund is the Nation's leading nonprofit
organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the
American political process, from citizenship to public service. Our
Board members and constituency encompass the Nation's more than 6,700
Latino elected and appointed officials, and include Republicans,
Democrats and Independents. NALEO Educational Fund is a national leader
in Census outreach, community education and policy development. Since
the 1990 Census, our organization has conducted outreach campaigns to
promote the full and accurate count of the Latino community. NALEO
Educational Fund has been a member of the U.S. Census Bureau's national
advisory committees since 2000, and currently sits on the Bureau's
National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations.
NALEO Educational Fund is also the co-chair of the Leadership
Conference on Civil and Human Rights' Census Task Force, and of the
National Hispanic Leadership Agenda's Census Task Force.
Congress Must Fully and Timely Fund the Census Bureau in Fiscal Year
2020
In fiscal year 2020, the Census Bureau will conduct the 2020
decennial Census, a massive undertaking for which the agency has been
preparing for more than a decade. Securing an accurate count of United
States residents requires bringing a website online to handle millions
of simultaneous interactions while fending off sophisticated hacking
attempts; hiring and training tens of thousands of temporary employees;
and managing bulk mailings to tens of millions of addresses. The
quality of the population count will have long-reaching and
consequential effects on the allocation of political representation and
public funding, and on our success at spurring economic development and
redressing social challenges.
If the Census Bureau is to succeed, its funding for fiscal year
2020 must be in place by the start of the fiscal year. The Bureau
follows a strict timeline from now until December 31, 2020, its
statutory deadline for delivering decennial Census results to the
President according to 13 U.S.C. Sec. 141(a)-(b). It absolutely cannot
delay the hiring, training, printing and other acquisitions, coding,
and advertising it will undertake in the first two quarters of fiscal
year 2020, nor can it do this extraordinary work competently if, as in
the years preceding fiscal year 2020, it once again begins the fiscal
year with continuing appropriations at the previous year's level.
Because of the enormous scope of operations that must be
implemented in the lead up year to the decennial census, it is
essential that Congress fully fund the Census Bureau by providing at
least $8.448 billion no later than October 1, 2019. Our request would
fund the Bureau at the level of the Commerce Department's October 2017
cost estimate of $6.694 billion, and would add $66 million for
Questionnaire Assistance Centers and $100 million for additional
targeted advertising and communications efforts in the hardest-to-count
communities. It would also include $31.5 million to enable hiring of a
number of Partnership Specialists commensurate with the workforce
brought onboard in 2010, as well as $689.2 million for the 10 percent
contingency fund Secretary Ross has recommended.
While it takes a decennial Census, the Bureau must also continue
its collection of other crucial surveys including the American
Community Survey. We request that you provide the Bureau with $226.3
million for the American Community Survey and $336.6 million for all
other programs funded from the Periodic Censuses account. Our request
also includes $274.2 million for the Current Surveys and Programs
account.
Our funding request is modest and appropriate when one takes into
account the unique challenges of and risks associated with the 2020
Census. For 2020, the Census Bureau has committed to modernizing its
procedures by collecting responses over the Internet for the first time
in a decennial, and making more extensive use of administrative records
to supplement responses. These operational innovations must be
accompanied by intensive efforts to safeguard data and systems, and to
earn respondents' trust. Even though the Bureau will employ
extraordinary and creative measures, it projects that a progressively
smaller percentage of households will voluntarily self-respond to the
Census in 2020. Growing mistrust of the government and wider awareness
of our government's vulnerability to cyberattacks will complicate
efforts to collect sensitive personal information from every household
in the country.
Congress cannot insulate the Census Bureau from the difficult
sociopolitical context surrounding the 2020 Census, but it can and must
provide the Bureau with funding that recognizes that context and equips
the agency to overcome hurdles in its way to the best of its ability.
It can fulfill this imperative and work toward its goal of making
enumeration more efficient and cost-effective by appropriating $8.448
billion for the Bureau in fiscal year 2020.
Congress Must Help the Census Bureau Improve Efficiency By Preventing
Last-Minute Changes to the Census
In addition to appropriating the necessary resources for the Census
Bureau to take a complete and accurate Census, Congress can and must
set the 2020 Census on the path to success by ensuring against last-
minute changes to Census materials and procedures. The scale and
complexity of the decennial Census demand that key decisions about
matters such as creation of an online Census response portal be made no
less than several years in advance of Census Day. For this reason, the
Bureau solicits input about its forms and questions in the middle of
each decade, and settles on topics to be covered in a decennial Census
by each year ending in -7. Any subsequent deviation from plans cannot
be appropriately tested in advance of enumeration, and will thus
threaten to increase the cost and decrease the quality of the count.
We are concerned data from the 2020 Census data will lack the same
level of reliability as that resulting from previous decennial
enumerations in light of the Commerce Department's decision to add a
last-minute untested question about citizenship to the 2020 Census
questionnaire. Given that important operational plans and materials
have been developed without taking the citizenship question into
account, and without the benefit of empirical knowledge of the ways in
which the citizenship question will change Census respondents'
attitudes and behaviors, the associated risk of a failed Census is
great.
Available evidence strongly indicates that inclusion of a
citizenship question on the 2020 Census will reduce participation and
the quality of responses and resulting data. For example, in 2017 and
2018, Census Bureau enumerators and experts began sounding new alarms
about public perception of Census surveys and their most sensitive
inquiries. A September 2017 memorandum from the Bureau's Center for
Survey Measurement stated, ``researchers have noticed a recent increase
in respondents spontaneously expressing concerns about confidentiality
in...studies conducted in 2017.'' As of August 2018, the Bureau's
Center for Economic Studies had increased its best estimate of the
number of additional households likely not to respond to a citizenship-
question Census to just over two million, from an earlier estimate of
630,000. It also raised the projected additional number of people
needing enumeration via expensive non-response follow up operations to
about 6.5 million.
NALEO Educational Fund's and other community stakeholders' research
and polling have produced consistent results that indicate that Census
response rates and data quality would suffer because of inclusion of a
citizenship question in the decennial survey. Participants in focus
groups we convened around the country expressed heightened hesitation,
fear, and cynicism upon seeing a version of the Census questionnaire
that included the proposed question. In addition, an overwhelming
majority of more than 75 percent of the people we surveyed in
Providence County, Rhode Island, the site of the 2018 Census End-to-End
Test, agreed with the proposition, ``Many people in Providence County
will be afraid to participate in the 2020 Census because it will ask
whether each person in the household is a citizen.''
By depressing voluntary response to the decennial Census, the
addition of a citizenship question will diminish the quality and
accuracy of resulting data, and increase the cost of obtaining it. The
Census Bureau cannot and does not leave households that do not complete
the Census alone; instead, it takes extraordinary and costly measures
to attempt to obtain firsthand information from each residence. In
January 2018, the Bureau estimated that it would cost an additional $55
million to enumerate each additional 1 percent of households that did
not voluntarily answer the Census. This figure has been increasing
since mid-decade as the Bureau has updated its operational plans,
however, and also depends upon optimistic assumptions about the
agency's ability to reduce the number of in-person visits required to
contact members of non-responding households, and to obtain data about
non-responding households from government records instead of from in-
person contacts.
The Census Bureau's Center for Economic Studies has astutely
pointed out that households that decline to complete a Census form are
also very likely not to cooperate with in-person enumerators, making
their enumeration by proxy the most likely result. If, as the Center
estimates, more than two million additional households are most likely
to be counted by proxy because of the citizenship question, the likely
result would be 1,750,000 fewer correct enumerations and additional
cost of at least $91.2 million.
The harm to data quality and the extra expense likely to result
from late alteration of the decennial Census questionnaire are typical
of the bad result that Congress sought to avert by mandating, at 13
U.S.C. Sec. 141(f)(3), that officials only implement any such proposed
change after identifying the new circumstances that necessitate it. No
new circumstances have arisen that justify adding any new question to
the 2020 Census, and therefore Congress must exercise its authority to
halt the counterproductive and costly last minute addition. We urge you
to include the following language in funding provisions for the Census
Bureau:
None of the funds made available under this Act may be used by the
Secretary of Commerce to incorporate into the 2020 decennial census any
question that was not within the scope of planned subjects published by
the Census Bureau on March 28, 2017.
conclusion
Stewardship of an effective Census is one of the first duties
assigned in the Constitution to the Federal government, and one of the
most fundamental to our democratic character. We are grateful for your
attention to these matters, and for the present opportunity to submit
testimony in support of the Census Bureau.
[This statement was submitted by Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive
Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association of Marine Laboratories
The National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) is pleased
to submit this testimony to the subcommittee for consideration in the
fiscal year 2020 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act. In this
statement, we provide our recommendations for the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
that we believe would strengthen the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great
Lakes research and education enterprise. The network of the Nation's
marine laboratories is cost effective, highly relevant, and the vehicle
that brings science to those who depend on research results to protect
lives and support livelihoods.
naml's message
This subcommittee is uniquely responsible for the health of the
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes enterprise through your oversight and
resource decisionmaking responsibilities related to NOAA, NSF, NASA,
and other agencies. That enterprise is a critical part of the security
of the Nation as it relates to economic, environmental, national,
homeland, energy, conservation resources, and food security issues.
NAML is deeply appreciative this subcommittee has rejected the
administration's past proposals to reduce or eliminate these time
tested programs and instead, actively strengthened them despite its
constraint in available resources and competing national needs.
In fiscal year 2020 the administration has again proposed steep
reductions and/or the elimination of funding for this subcommittee's
extramural research and education activities that support ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes research, conservation, observing, and
education programs. We urge the subcommittee to reject these proposals
and fully reinstate these programs based on the contributions they make
that help maintain the health of our ocean and coastal enterprise.
the value of the ocean, coastal, and great lakes enterprise
The future well-being of the Nation is in large part dependent on
our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources:
--The U.S. ocean economy, which includes six economic sectors that
depend on the ocean, is estimated to have contributed more than
$320 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and
supported 3.2 million jobs directly dependent on these
resources in 2015;
--42 percent of the U.S. labor force is employed in coastal
watersheds;
--In 2014, counties adjacent to the shore contributed 43 percent
percent of the U.S. GDP;
--The offshore mineral industry contributed over 170,000 jobs in 2013
and $122 billion, the majority of which was predominantly from
the oil and gas sector;
--Approximately 88,000 square miles of the Nation's coastal wetlands
provide nursery areas for commercially harvested fish and
places of refuge for migrating birds;
--In 2015, the commercial and recreational fishing industry supported
1.6 million jobs and contributed $208 billion in sales to the
U.S. economy; and
--Ocean measurements, observations, and forecasting generate about $7
billion in revenues annually.
The oceans are a primary source of food for over one billion
people; a globally significant regulator of the earth's weather and
climate; the basic source of water for the hydrologic cycle; a
recycling agent that absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen; and
home to many thousands of flora and fauna, many with pharmaceutical
value.
America is a major consumer of aquaculture products. The United
States currently imports more than 90 percent of its seafood, leading
to a $14 billion seafood trade deficit. Given that the World Bank
projects a nearly 50 percent increase in worldwide fish consumption
between 2006 and 2030, the United States has an opportunity to meet
this demand, ensure food security, create new industries, and provide
jobs by maximizing sustainable wild and aquaculture harvest. NAML
laboratories are leaders in developing and supporting innovative
methods that will improve and encourage U.S. aquaculture products that
complement and help sustain existing wild-capture commercial fisheries.
America's coastlines and offshore areas contain untapped renewable
and non-renewable energy sources to help power the Nation and much of
the world. In addition to generating electricity, power generated at
sea (from waves, currents, or wind) could be used to serve the needs of
other existing or emerging ocean industries (aquaculture, ocean mineral
mining, oceanographic research, or military missions).
naml priorities and recommendations for fiscal year 2020
NAML is a nonprofit organization representing the ocean, coastal
and Great Lakes interests of member laboratories that employ thousands
of scientists, engineers and professionals nationwide. NAML labs
conduct high quality research and education in the natural and social
sciences and translate that science to improve the decisionmaking by
policy officials on important issues facing our country and fostering
economic development. NAML's priorities are drawn from: Sea Change:
2015-2025 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences (DSOS); Enhancing the Value
and Sustainability of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories in the
21st Century; and Science and Technology for America's Oceans: A
Decadal Vision. These reports emphasize the need to understand oceans
in the earth system, promote the blue economy, and advance monitoring
and predictive modeling capabilities. According to Sea Change, NAML
laboratories bring a high degree of relevance to these national
priorities at lower cost, higher return on investment and with the
important benefit of training succeeding generations of marine and
related science professionals. Expanded support in the form of
research, infrastructure and education should be focused on:
--U.S.-based aquaculture to reduce the ever-increasing demand for
foreign imports, to advance seafood security and to expand
opportunities for economic growth;
--Defining the impacts and causative factors for shifting
environmental regimes to improve coastal resiliency and inform
risk management of critical defense, transportation, civic and
business infrastructure along U.S. coastlines;
--Oceanographic and geochemical exploration and associated technology
development to advance national security, commerce and domestic
energy independence;
--Data collection and adaptive management strategies to increase
productivity and sustainability of marine fisheries and social-
economic productivity of U.S. exclusive economic zones;
--Comprehensive understanding of ecosystems which support fisheries
and other social-economic drivers; and
--Discovery and education and training in biological, chemical,
geological and physical marine sciences to support advancement
of human and environment health and social-economic objectives.
Accordingly, NAML offers the following recommendations for the
subcommittee's consideration:
--The Nation should build on its investment in research,
infrastructure, and observing capabilities to develop the
knowledge, people, and technologies that power the ocean and
coastal economies, create jobs, improve health, strengthen our
national security, and support the U.S. as the global
innovation leader. The key programs that support this goal
include:
--NSF funding for research, training, infrastructure, and education
much of which is supported by the Directorates for
Geosciences and Biological Sciences with particular
emphasis on the Improvements to Biological Field Stations
and Marine Laboratories (FSML) program ($6 million) and the
developing Coastlines and People (CoPe) initiative:
--Extramural funding provided by NOAA including funding the
National Sea Grant College Program ($93.5M for research,
education, and marine aquaculture), the Integrated Ocean
Observing System ($50.5M), Ocean Acidification research;
Aquaculture research; the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System ($28.7M); the National Marine Sanctuary
System ($65.5M), Coastal Zone Management Grants ($80.5M);
--Enhance the role of science within the Coastal Resilience Grants
program (Title IX) ($35 million), and the Habitat
Conservation Restoration Grants program ($58 million); and
--Strengthen funding for NASA Earth Sciences ($2.5B).
--Renew the commitment to improve the quality of STEM education and
re-energize efforts to attract, recruit, support, and retain
women, minorities and others not currently well represented in
the science and technology workforce through such efforts as:
--NSF's overarching Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)
including, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU),
its Alliances for Minority Participation, the graduate; and
the Fellowship programs at NSF, NOAA, and NASA; and
--Restore funding for NOAA and NASA education programs.
NAML is concerned by the administration's recommendations for
reductions to NSF, NASA and NOAA as part of the fiscal year 2020 budget
request. NAML is also concerned and opposes NOAA's proposal for
authority that could result in the Federal Government competing with
non-Federal and private entities for limited private sector
philanthropic support (See proposed Section 108 of the General
Provisions in the NOAA Section of the Appendix to the fiscal year 2020
Budget, page 207). The time-tested programs, that support the
extramural research and education community via competitive, merit-
based research, provide cost-effective and impressive returns on
investment, leverage additional resources to meet science and
management priorities, distribute economic and societal benefits over a
broad array of communities, and provide the agency with valuable
flexibility.
NAML requests the subcommittee to reject the administration's
proposed reductions for research, infrastructure, and education and
training. Instead, NAML urges the subcommittee to invest in the future
of the Nation by supporting the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
research and education enterprise represented in part by the NAML
priorities articulated in this statement. NAML also requests the
subcommittee to continue its vigilance regarding proposals that would
result in unfair competition with the private sector.
conclusion
This subcommittee is uniquely responsible for the health of our
Nation's research and education enterprise. Over 50 percent of the
extramural nondefense, non-biomedical Federal support for research and
education is provided by this subcommittee. Thus, the subcommittee is
in a unique position to impact the Nation's long term economic growth,
national security, and public safety through its investments in the
agencies under its jurisdiction. The economic value of research
investments is borne out by history. While we appreciate, the difficult
constraints facing the Nation and this subcommittee we hope the
subcommittee will continue to be a leading and influential voice in the
health of the Nation's research enterprise via the decisions it makes
in developing the fiscal year 2020 Commerce-Justice-Science
Appropriations Act.
NAML is grateful for the opportunity to provide the subcommittee
with our members' priorities and recommendations.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Robert Cowen, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association of Marine Laboratories,
Sea Grant Association, IOOS Association, National Estuarine Research
Reserve Association, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Coastal
States Organization, Restore America's Estuaries, and Association of
State Floodplain Managers
nation's ocean, coastal, and great lakes research, education,
conservation, and resource management enterprise
Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, this joint statement
is submitted on behalf of the non-profit organizations listed above who
share a deep and overriding concern for the health of the Nation's
oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. This subcommittee is responsible for
the health of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes enterprise via
oversight and resource decisionmaking related to NOAA, NSF, NASA, and
other agencies. That enterprise is a critical part of the security of
the Nation as it relates to economic, environmental, national,
homeland, energy, conservation, and food security issues. The
administration budget for fiscal year 2020 proposes the elimination of
extramural funding for this subcommittee's ocean, coastal, and Great
Lakes research, conservation, observing, and education programs. We
urge the subcommittee to reinstate these programs based on the
significant contributions they make for the health of our ocean and
coastal enterprises.
The future well-being of the U.S. is in large part dependent on our
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The U.S. ocean economy is
estimated to have contributed more than $320 billion to the U.S. Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 3.2 million jobs in 2015. Over 40
percent of the U.S. labor force is employed in coastal watersheds. The
offshore mineral industry contributed over 170,000 jobs in 2013 and
$122 billion to GDP. Approximately 88,000 square miles of the Nation's
coastal wetlands provide nursery areas for commercially harvested fish
and places of refuge for migrating birds. Estuaries provide habitat for
nearly 70 percent of the U.S. commercial fisheries catch and 80 percent
of recreational catch. In 2015, the commercial and recreational fishing
industry supported 1.6 million jobs and contributed $208 billion in
sales to the U.S. economy. Ocean measurements, observations, and
forecasting generate about $7 billion in revenues annually. For every
$1 invested in environmental restoration, $4 in economic value is
generated by enhancing the tourism and fishing industries.
The ocean and our coasts are equally important for humanitarian,
environmental, and health reasons. The oceans are a primary source of
food for over one billion people, a globally significant regulator of
the earth's climate, the basic source of water for the hydrologic
cycle, a cleaning agent that absorbs carbon dioxide and generates
oxygen, and home to many thousands of flora and fauna. The oceans are a
source of discovery to understand and treat cancers and other human
diseases. A wide gulf often separates science from the people who need
research results to protect and support them. However, the new ocean
economy puts science and predictive capabilities to work in a way that
can fill critical, fast-rising needs across sectors.
All of the organizations that contribute their names to this
statement stand in strong support for the ocean, coastal and Great
Lakes research, conservation, observing, and education programs managed
by NOAA. Specifically, we are referring to:
--The National Sea Grant College Program and Marine Aquaculture;
--The Integrated Ocean Observing System;
--The National Estuarine Research Reserve System;
--The National Marine Sanctuary System;
--Coastal Zone Management Grants;
--Coastal Resilience Grants (Title IX);
--NMFS Habitat Conservation and Restoration; and
--The Digital Coast Program
Sea Grant is a unique program within NOAA that sends 95 percent of
its appropriated funds to coastal States through a competitive process
to address critical issues identified by public and private sector
constituents and coastal communities throughout the United States. Sea
Grant fosters cost-effective partnerships among State universities,
State and local governments, NOAA, and coastal communities and
businesses. In 2017, the Sea Grant program helped generate an estimated
$579 million in economic impacts, created or supported over 12,500
jobs, provided 33 State-level programs with funding that assisted 462
communities to improve their resilience, helped nearly 17,700 fishers
adopt safe and sustainable fishing practices, helped restore an
estimated 700,000 acres of coastal ecosystems, worked with about 1,300
industry, private sector, local, State and regional partners, and
supported the education and training of over 1,800 undergraduate and
graduate students.
America's estuaries sustain coastal businesses, protect communities
from flooding, keep water clean, sustain commercial fisheries, support
wildlife, and provide opportunities for recreation. The National
Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) maintains 280 stations that
track local water quality, pollution, and weather around the country.
These platforms collect data--42 million data points each year--that
track hazardous spills, shellfish industry operations, storm damage and
more. Reserves engage more than 36,000 volunteers and community
members. Over 3,000 educators and 81,000 K-12 students receive outdoor
STEM education. Over 100 universities & research institutions are
Reserve partners. In excess of 350 graduate research fellows have
studied at a Reserve. Similar to Sea Grant, approximately 98 percent of
Federal NERRS funding goes to the communities in which the Reserves are
located. NERRS funding also leverages State matching funds raising $6
million annually to supplement the Federal funding; and over the last 3
years, matching funds invested in the NERRS leveraged an average of
approximately $22 million annually.
Coastal observing systems are used to gather real time information
and turn it into useful products that support coastal residents,
coastal economies, and a healthy, sustainable environment. They provide
timely, actionable information developed from reliable and user-driven
science to provide insight into present and future conditions. The need
for data and information to help protect lives, economies and the
environment has never been greater. Flood protection, safe and
efficient marine operations, fisheries, aquaculture, water quality and
safe recreation require an expanded network of observing systems and
enhanced analysis that will improve predictive and forecasting
capabilities for all users. The Integrated Ocean Observing System
(IOOS) is a Federal partnership that generates and delivers quality
information about the Nation's oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. IOOS
increases economic efficiency and minimizes redundancy by leveraging
non-Federal investments. Over 50 percent of the marine data now
assembled and disseminated by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center is from
non-Federal sources. IOOS provides a cost-effective approach to
providing the Nation with reliable information to enhance maritime
commerce; improve weather and flooding forecasting; supporting
fisheries, ecosystems and water quality; and enhances our ability to
plan for and respond to unforeseen hazards.
The National Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM Program) is a
state-Federal partnership supporting the effective management,
beneficial use, protection, and development of the coastal zone.
Healthy coastal resources support business and conservation, and long-
term planning is essential for coastal areas to remain the economic
drivers they are today. In fiscal year 2017, States and territories
matched over $56.9 million in investment in the CZM Program. The CZM
program helps enable our Nation's coastal communities to plan for
uncertainties and protect lives and investments on the coast. This
State-Federal partnership ensures the responsible use of coastal
resources by balancing the needs of economic development and
conservation of natural resources while also planning for potential
impacts to a State's coastal zone.
The National Marine Sanctuary System is our essential network of
protected waters held in trust for all Americans. Encompassing more
than 600,000 square miles, national marine sanctuaries conserve some of
the Nation's most critical natural, historic, and cultural resources.
They are home to many thousands of species, preserve our Nation's
maritime heritage, and promote access for exploration and world-class
outdoor recreation. Sanctuaries are vital to maintaining the healthy
ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems that underpin our productive coastal
economies. They generate $8 billion annually in local economies and
support jobs and businesses in fishing, tourism, recreation, and
scientific research. Nationwide, communities are coming together to
conserve our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes by expanding existing
national marine sanctuaries and proposing new designations for the
first time in 19 years. Engaging communities as stewards of these
protected waters makes sanctuaries unique and provides a comprehensive,
highly participatory approach to managing and conserving marine
ecosystems and the Great Lakes for current and future generations.
The Digital Coast effort meets the unique information needs of the
coastal management community. It provides access not just to a growing
body of coastal data, but also the tools, training, and information
needed to make over 5 trillion points of LIDAR, 37 terabytes of
imagery, and 800,000 square miles of land cover, collected from both
Federal and non-Federal sources, useful for coastal managers, planners,
and decision makers charged with managing the Nation's coastal
resources. The products and services provided by the Digital Coast
include data, information, and training for more than 4,000 coastal
communities.
In conclusion, we urge the subcommittee to continue support for its
portfolio of ocean and coastal programs and we offer the following
specific programmatic recommendations:
--National Sea Grant College Program, $93.5 million for research,
education, extension, and outreach activities, including
aquaculture, STEM education, and Sea Grant Knauss fellowship
programs within the NOAA Operations, Research, and Facilities
account within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
--Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), $50.5 million to support
both the regional and national system within NOAA's Operations,
Research, and Facilities account, National Ocean Service;
--National Estuarine Research Reserve System, $30 million in NOAA's
Operations, Research and Facilities account within the National
Ocean Service; and $4 million for the Procurement, Acquisition
and Construction account within the National Ocean Service;
--Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas, $57 million within the
NOAA's Operations, Research, and Facilities account in the
National Ocean Service; and $8.5 million within NOAA's
Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction account in the
National Ocean Service;
--Coastal Zone Management Grants, $80.5 million within NOAA's
Operations, Research, and Facilities account, National Ocean
Service;
--Coastal Resilience Grants (Title IX), $35 million within NOAAs
Operations, Research, and Facilities account, National Ocean
Service;
--Habitat Conservation and Restoration (includes Community-Based
Restoration Program), $58 million within NOAA's Operations,
Research, and Facilities account, National Marine Fisheries
Service; and
--Digital Coast Program, $5 million within NOAA's Operations,
Research, and Facilities account, National Ocean Service.
Ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research, education, conservation,
and resource management programs funded by this subcommittee are
investments in the future health, resiliency, and well-being of our
coastal communities which will result in returns of improved quality of
life, as well as environmental and economic outcomes many times over
the Federal investment.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this unified message.
______
Prepared Statement of the National Congress of American Indians
On behalf of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), this
testimony addresses important programs in the Department of Justice and
Department of Commerce. As the most representative organization of
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal nations, NCAI serves the broad
interests of Tribal governments across the United States. As Congress
considers the fiscal year 2020 budget and beyond, leaders of Tribal
nations call on decision-makers to ensure that the promises made to
Indian Country are honored in the Federal budget. Specifically, NCAI
requests the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCAI Fiscal Year 2020
Agency Program Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce............ Minority Business $39,000,000 and a set-
Development Agency. aside to re-establish
NABECs within MBDA.
Commerce............ Office of Native $2,000,000
American Business
Development.
Commerce............ Office of Native $2,000,000
American Affairs.
Commerce............ Pacific Coastal Salmon $110,000,000
Recovery Fund.
Commerce............ Salmon Management....... Provide $25.9 million
for NOAA Mitchell Act
Hatchery Programs
Commerce............ 2020 Census............. Provide the Census
Bureau with at least
$8.45 billion in fiscal
year 2020, with at
least $7.58 billion in
direct funding for 2020
census operations
NSF................. Education and Human $15,000,000
Resources Funding for
Tribal Colleges and
Universities.
DOJ................. Tribal Grants: Eliminate Use DOJ appropriations
competitive grant as base funding with
funding process and Tribes setting own
utilize DOJ priorities
appropriations as base
funding where Tribes
determine priorities.
DOJ................. Tribal Set-Aside from Create a 10 percent
Office of Justice Tribal set-aside for
Programs. all discretionary
Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) programs
DOJ................. Tribal Youth Program $25,000,000
under the Juvenile
Accountability Block
Grants Program.
DOJ................. Crime Victims Fund...... Create a 5 percent set-
aside for Tribal
governments
DOJ................. Community Oriented $52,000,000
Policing Services
(COPS) Tribal Law
Enforcement.
DOJ................. Tribal programs under Provide full authorized
the Violence Against amount
Women Act (VAWA).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
department of justice
The public safety problems that continue to plague Tribal
communities are the result of decades of gross underfunding for Tribal
criminal justice systems; a uniquely complex jurisdictional scheme; and
the historic, abject failure by the Federal Government to fulfill its
public safety obligations on American Indian and Alaska Native lands.
Crime rates in Tribal communities are among the highest in the Nation
and American Indians and Alaska Natives experience rates of violent
crime that are 2.5 times the national average. Residents and visitors
on Tribal lands deserve the safety and security that is taken for
granted outside of Indian Country. Increased and streamlined funding in
the following program areas will have a huge impact on safety in Tribal
communities for Tribal citizens, residents, and visitors to Tribal
lands.
Include Tribal governments in disbursements from the Crime Victims
Fund (a mandatory account).--The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) is the
Federal Government's primary funding source for providing services to
victims of crime. NCAI expresses our sincere gratitude to appropriators
for providing a direct funding stream for Tribal governments from the
CVF for the first time in fiscal year 2018 and again in fiscal year
2019. For this funding to achieve its purpose, however, it needs to be
recurring funds that Tribal governments can plan on in order to ensure
program stability for victims for the long term. We urge appropriators
to keep disbursements from the CVF at the increased level and to direct
an amount equal to 5 percent of overall CVF disbursements to Tribal
governments.
Create a streamlined Tribal allocation across Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) programs.--For several years the administration has
proposed bill language that would streamline and consolidate OJP Tribal
programs by allocating 7 percent from all discretionary OJP programs to
address Indian country public safety and Tribal justice needs. In past
years, both the House and Senate CJS Subcommittees have supported this
request, but it has never been enacted. One of the biggest shortcomings
of DOJ Tribal funding is that it is administered as competitive
funding. In order to obtain this funding, Tribal nations--on behalf of
their Tribal justice systems--must compete against each other under
priorities and guidelines established by DOJ. As a result, Tribal
nations must develop projects that align with changing DOJ priorities
and cannot count on funding continuing beyond the current grant period.
A streamlined OJP Tribal allocation would significantly improve the
Federal funding process by which Tribal nations receive resources to
establish Tribal courts; assist in developing detention facilities;
provide legal assistance; develop and maintain juvenile delinquency
prevention programs; and provide substance abuse prevention programs.
Further, the Tribal allocation would give Tribal nations the
flexibility to develop a detailed strategic plan on how best to spend
those resources.
If Congress declines to adopt the flexible allocation across OJP
programs, restore fiscal year 2010 levels of $25 million in funding for
the Tribal Youth Program under the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants
program.--Although Native children compromise only 2.2 percent of the
overall youth population, they are arrested at a rate of more than two-
to-three times that of other ethnic groups. According to a recent DOJ
report, ``[s]ubstance abuse, depression, and gang involvement fuel a
vast majority of the offenses for which American Indian juveniles are
disproportionately confined.'' Funding for the Tribal Youth Program has
decreased significantly in recent years and should be restored to its
fiscal year 2010 level of $25 million.
Increase funding of Tribal law enforcement programs under DOJ's
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grants to $52 million.--
Since the creation of the COPS Office, more than 2,000 grants totaling
more than $400 million have been awarded to Tribal nations to hire more
than 1,700 new or redeployed law enforcement officers. It has also
helped Tribal nations to obtain necessary law enforcement training,
equipment, vehicles, and technology. Yet, there is still a tremendous
unmet need within Tribal justice systems for more COPS funding. The
COPS Office has acknowledged that due to limited resources, it has not
been able to adequately fund Tribal justice systems, particularly in
the area of hiring/retaining Tribal law enforcement officers. In a
report released in December 2010, the COPS Office described its
practice of intermittent funding as ``problematic,'' especially ``when
referring to hiring of officers.'' Indian Country urges Congress to
significantly increase funding for Tribal law enforcement programs
under the COPS program.
Fully fund the programs authorized in the Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA), including the funds authorized for Tribal implementation of
VAWA special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction.--It is estimated
that over 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women will
experience violent victimization in their lifetimes. OVW provides
funding to Tribal governments to address violence against women in
their communities. OVW's largest source of funding for Tribal
governments is the Grants to Tribal Governments Program, which is
funded via statutory allocations from other OVW programs. Fully-funding
these OVW programs results in full funding for the Grants to Tribal
Governments Program.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013)
recognized and affirmed the inherent sovereign authority of Indian
Tribes to exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
(SDVCJ) over all persons--Indian and non-Indian--who commit crimes of
dating violence, domestic violence, and violations of protection orders
within Indian country. The bill authorized $5 million per year for 5
years for Indian Tribes to implement the VAWA 2013 provisions and
otherwise strengthen Tribal justice systems. In fiscal year 2019, $4
million was appropriated for this program. We urge Congress to
appropriate the full amount authorized for VAWA implementation purposes
so that more communities are able to take advantage of this lifesaving
law.
department of commerce
Provide $39 million for the Minority Business Development Agency
(MBDA).--The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was created to
support minority business development centers to provide business
consulting and financing services. Initial funding for the MBDA was set
at $63 million, but this budget has since decreased. Funding the MBDA
at $39 million will assist Tribal nations in obtaining vital business
consulting, financing services, and procurement of technical
assistance.
Fund the Office of Native American Business Development at a
minimum of $2 million as part of the Commerce Department Management
Budget.--The establishment of the Office of Native American Business
Development (ONABD) was codified by the enactment of the Native
American Business Development, Trade Promotion and Tourism Act of 2000,
Public Law 106-464 (the 2000 Act). However since its establishment,
ONABD has relied on base resources from the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA) to coordinate Federal programs for financial
and technical assistance to increase business, expand trade, and
support economic development on Tribal lands. In its fiscal year 2016
budget request submitted to Congress, MBDA noted the absence of
appropriations to support ONABD since it was created by the 2000 Act,
and also the lack of appropriations to implement other aspects of
Public Law 106-464 and the Indian Tribal Regulatory Reform and Business
Development Act of 2000. In order to carry out its mission, ONABD must
receive adequate and sustained support to implement Indian policy
initiatives and expand Native American business development initiatives
both domestically and internationally.
Provide the Census Bureau with at least $8.45 billion in fiscal
year 2020, with at least $7.58 billion in direct funding for 2020
census operations.--The census is a critical and powerful information
source that will significantly influence American policy for the coming
decade. An accurate count is necessary to ensure the fair distribution
of billions of dollars to Tribal nations and American Indian/Alaska
Native people across the United States. Certain population groups are
at higher risk of being missed in the decennial census--groups
considered hard-to-count. Native people especially on reservations and
in Alaska Native villages have been historically underrepresented in
the census. In the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau estimates that
American Indians and Alaska Natives living on reservations or in Native
villages were undercounted by approximately 4.9 percent, more than
double the undercount rate of the next closest population group. The
President's Budget request was significantly lower than Secretary
Ross's estimates of overall costs, and we urge Congress to ensure
sufficient funding for a successful 2020 Census, including funding for
Questionnaire Assistance Centers, which currently are not included in
the Census Bureau's operational plan. With only half the number of
Regional Census Centers and local census offices across the country, it
will be important to expand the field footprint, to provide 'safe
space' for people who do not have reliable Internet access, are wary of
using the telephone to respond, or need assistance filling out a paper
form, to meet with sworn Census Bureau employees near where they live.
conclusion
Thank you for your consideration of this testimony. For more
information, please contact Virginia Davis, Senior Advisor, at
[email protected].
______
Prepared Statement of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate
Association
department of justice funding
Chairmen Shelby and Moran, Vice Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member
Shaheen, and Members of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit remarks
on the Department of Justice (DOJ) fiscal year 2020 budget including
full funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program
through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP) at the congressionally-authorized level of $12 million.
CASA/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) advocacy is a well-established model
strongly associated with improved long-term outcomes for child victims,
for which the need continues to be critical. With congressional support
at the fully authorized level, the CASA/GAL network in 49 States and
the District of Columbia will enhance and advance specialized training,
tools, and resources to continue delivering vital one-on-one best-
interest advocacy that addresses the complex and ever-evolving needs of
traumatized children who have been victimized by one or more primary
caregivers.
Emerging issues such as the commercial sexual exploitation of
children and our Nation's growing opioid epidemic--for which children
account for an increasing number of victims--both necessitate a greater
specialization within one-on-one advocacy, with a keen and deliberate
focus on progressing toward the call within the Victims of Child Abuse
Act to serve every child victim. As we enrich CASA/GAL advocacy to
encompass evolving direct service needs, our national network will
further strengthen its capacity to serve over 260,000 child victims of
abuse and neglect.
Child victimization and maltreatment by primary caregivers is
distressingly on the rise, and with it, so too rises the impact on the
child and society. Traumatized victims of child abuse and neglect face
significant and multiple risk factors, most notably, juvenile
delinquency, adult criminality, and poor educational performance that
affects future employment and stability. These issues result in a hefty
impact on Federal, State and local spending-at least one-quarter of the
DOJ budget is dedicated to our Nation's prison system, and at the same
time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates
the economic and social costs of child abuse and neglect to total $124
billion nationwide per annum. Local CASA/GAL programs offer an
effective service to child victims of abuse and neglect that improves
outcomes, increases the efficient functioning of our court systems, and
saves hundreds of millions in Federal and State taxpayer dollars
annually in the process.
CASA/GAL programs are, at the heart of their operation, a highly
effective leveraging of community-based resources to provide dedicated
and sustained one-on-one advocacy for child victims and advise the
courts of the child's best interests and needs throughout abuse and
neglect proceedings. Research has shown that the presence of a caring,
consistent adult in the life of a child victim is associated with
improved long-term outcomes. These efforts, which focus on helping the
child find a safe, permanent home where they can both heal and thrive,
require thorough background screening, specialized training, and
resources to promote a nationwide system of programs that adhere to and
assure the highest quality of services and care for the child victim.
CASA Program funds through DOJ achieve and uphold national standard
setting, assessment, accountability, and evaluation across nearly 950
local, State, and Tribal programs to promote improved child outcomes
and effective stewardship of public investments in victim advocacy.
Evidence-based practices, intensive technical assistance, direct
program guidance and partnerships, and national program standards and
quality assurance processes all lie at the foundation of effective
CASA/GAL program service delivery in communities across the Nation.
Given the nature of the CASA/GAL advocates' intensive work with
child victims of abuse and neglect, standards of rigorous screening,
training, supervision, and service are implemented nationwide, with
congressional support, to ensure consistent quality for victims who
directly benefit from having their needs and rights championed in the
courtroom and in the community. Comprehensive pre-service, in-service,
and issue-focused training curricula--including training in
disproportionality, cultural competency, and working with older youth--
ensures a cutting edge approach to victim services centered on the
child thriving well into the future as a member of the community.
Federal support is foundational to the solid and high-quality
functioning of a national child advocacy network for victims of abuse
and neglect.
As the needs of child victims of abuse and neglect grow and change,
so must the specialization of one-on-one advocacy and services by CASA/
GAL programs. Since the Victims of Child Abuse Act was passed, the
landscape of victims' services for children has evolved significantly.
Researchers and practitioners know more now than ever about trauma, and
its associated impacts on child development, as well as the significant
and multiple risk factors and issues faced by abused and neglected
children such as mental health/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
commercial sex trafficking, overmedication, and the growing effects of
substance abuse and the opioid epidemic in particular. Further, we know
that youth of color in particular face very significant challenges--in
addition to victimization--on their path to a thriving adulthood. CASA/
GAL advocates bring one-on-one attention and a dedicated focus to each
of the issues that the child victim faces, but additional resources are
needed to enhance and build their knowledge base as part of a
continuous advocacy development process.
These complex issues warrant adaptive and responsive training,
technical assistance, and resources, while continuing on a trajectory
of maintaining quality care and services within current CASA/GAL
caseloads and also simultaneously building the capacity to take on
additional cases when appointed by the court. National CASA Association
is committed to continuous improvement of training, technical
assistance, and resource delivery to strengthen and support local CASA/
GAL programs and State organizations to help advocates remain at the
forefront of emerging child welfare issues.
Federal support at the fully authorized level is instrumental to
bridging advocacy training and best practice tools into multiple and
new emerging issue areas including child sex trafficking, substance
abuse and opioid-overuse, and the overmedication of child victims, for
example. Advocates need to be well versed in warning signs for these
issues, as well as the available services, resources, and coordination
of community and court efforts in order to best address the child
victim's case.
Fiscal year 2020 funding of $12 million will be targeted to
fortifying resources and training for CASA/GAL programs in the area of
commercial sexual exploitation based upon existing best practices and
models. In addition, this Federal funding will be used to target
resources to serve over 260,000 child victims of abuse and neglect, and
continue efforts toward the development of State CASA/GAL organizations
in the States currently without this resource that enhances support of
program service delivery in local communities. Additional projects
include sustaining development of training on best practices in
addressing the needs of children impacted by the opioid epidemic and
other forms of substance abuse, child sex trafficking, unaccompanied
children and addressing racial disproportionality in child welfare and
the need for racially and culturally sensitive recruitment and matching
of CASA/GAL advocates.
According to the most recent government data available, the number
of child maltreatment cases has increased to over 700,000 per annum.
This remains a significant population with equally significant and
complex issues and risk factors. Without the benefit of a specially
trained CASA/GAL advocate that is able to devote dedicated time and
attention to the details of the case, the child victim faces a complex
and cumbersome court process and foster care system that is
overwhelmed, overburdened, and under-resourced. Our ability as a
national network to serve every child victim of abuse and neglect is
directly tied to strengthening and expanding a foundational and
interwoven program of advocate training, technical assistance,
standards, tools, and resources that are funded with DOJ support.
While children who are the victims of maltreatment have suffered
deep layers of trauma, these experiences do not have to be their only
life story. Juvenile detention and adult incarceration do not have to
be the path to their future. Substance abuse, PTSD, homelessness, and
joblessness do not have to be the basis of their experiences. We can
change their trajectory, together, with congressional support.
Caring, dedicated, and extensively trained CASA/GAL advocates bring
about positive changes in the lives of child victims. Full funding is
needed to continue expanding the advocate pipeline, enhance the
training, resources, and services provided to and through CASA/GAL
programs, and strengthen outcomes for future members of our Nation's
workforce.
We urge the subcommittee to fund the Court Appointed Special
Advocates Program at our authorized level of $12 million in fiscal year
2020 to address the overwhelming need for dedicated advocacy on behalf
of child victims of abuse and neglect. Thank you for your
consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Tara L. Perry, Chief Executive
Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Estuarine Research Reserve
Association
Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, my name is Lisa
Auermuller and I am the Assistant Manager of the Jacques Cousteau
National Estuarine Research Reserve in New Jersey, administered by
Rutgers, The State University of NJ. I submit this testimony in my
capacity as President of the National Estuarine Research Reserve
Association (NERRA). NERRA is a not-for-profit scientific and
educational organization dedicated to the protection, understanding,
and science-based management of our Nation's estuaries and coasts.
Thank you, on behalf of these special places and all of the
communities they support. We appreciate the investment Congress has
made in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) over the
past 46 years. Because of your support, coastal States and communities
have worked to expand the NERRS into a network 29 protected places
spanning over 1.3 million acres of coastal land. Reserves are locally
managed programs that communities depend on to address critical
challenges like balancing economic growth and natural resource
conservation. Reserves help local communities plan for extreme storms
and rising sea levels, protect nursery habitats that support commercial
and recreational fisheries, and prepare the next generation to be wise
stewards of these precious resources in the future. This unique State-
Federal partnership brings the scientific expertise and financial
resources of NOAA into coastal communities across the country.
Investments in the research reserves support locally implemented
science-based coastal resource management, research, and education
programs.
reserves are valued, valuable, and highly leveraged
Reserves support healthy estuaries and healthy estuaries support
communities nationwide. From Alaska's Kachemak Bay to Rookery Bay in
Florida, estuaries protect thousands of communities from flooding, keep
water clean, sustain and create jobs, support fish and wildlife, and
offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and water-based
small businesses. Reserve programs help sustain more than 10,000 jobs,
provide training to more than 13,400 people. Our national system
contributes billions of dollars to the shellfish and seafood industry
and tens of billions of dollars in ocean-dependent industries along our
coasts. Each year, coastal wetlands, like those protected by the NERRS,
provide $26.25 billion in value by protecting U.S. communities against
storms.
Every reserve leverages additional funding for their surrounding
communities. In some States, this can be as much as $1.5 million. NERRS
funding also leverages State matching funds raising $6 million annually
to supplement the Federal funding; and, over the last 3 years, matching
funds invested in the NERRS leveraged an average of $22 million
annually.
In addition to their ability to leverage funding, reserves engage
and empower people in their own communities. Over a half of million
people visit reserves each year and all reserves attract volunteers
that offset costs by donating approximately 82,000 hours of work every
year equating to a value of $1.9 million in services. It is well
documented that people place an enormous value in living near a healthy
estuary. Locally, Reserves become trusted sources of science-based
information and recreation for community members to recreate with,
learn from and rely on when information is needed to inform
decisionmaking.
nerra recommendations
For fiscal year 2020, NERRA strongly recommends the following
funding levels within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA):
NERRS Operations: $30 million
NERRS Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC):
$4 million
While NERRA is disappointed with the administration's continued
elimination of funding for the NERRS and for other programs that
support coastal and ocean science and management, we are heartened by
the support from Senate and Congress. We agree that everyone benefits
from the return on investment the NERRS provide. Specifically, economic
opportunities and quality of life that coastal communities and natural
resources provide. To preserve the safety, economic vitality, and
cultural and environmental values of the coast, we need to invest in
proven programs that are delivering direct benefits. NERRA's
recommended budget will allow reserves to maintain and increase:
--Science programs that deliver guidance and solutions to issues
facing local, state and national interests.
--Environmental monitoring programs that serve as a foundational
element of national water and weather coastal observations.
--Science, technology, engineering and mathematics focused education
programs that serve approximately 81,000 students and more than
3,000 teachers each year.
--Public access for hunting, fishing, and passive recreation on over
a million acres of land and water.
--Scientific technical assistance and information to professionals in
over 2500 cities and towns and 570 businesses nationwide.
--Support for students and researchers at over 100 university
partners.
NERRA's fiscal year 2020 request is a $3 million increase over
current program baseline. We are requesting an additional $3 million
for the NERRS budget so we can build on our efforts to help coastal
communities be more prepared and resilient as they experience
disruptions like super-sized storms, record floods and droughts,
hazardous spills, and fisheries collapse.
That $30 million will translate into an additional $100,000 in
operations funds for each Reserve and their communities. Each Reserve
will focus their increased funds in one or two of the following areas:
--Targeted science and monitoring to help communities prepare for,
and move forward from, disruptive events.
--Protection of natural infrastructure that sustains businesses,
including commercial fisheries.
--Programs that train professionals, educate the public, and prepare
the next generation workforce to manage our changing coasts.
protecting special places for science, recreation, education
The NERRS Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC) funding
is designated for land conservation, through acquisition of priority
lands, and essential facilities construction and upgrades. This
competitive funding program is matched by State funds and is critical
to maintaining the places that host NERR research, education and
outreach. The current estimated need by Reserves for these funds is
documented at more than $9 million. Reserves are destinations for
tourists, natural playgrounds for children, and havens for quiet
reflection for people around the country. Additionally, hunters and
fishermen use these public lands for commercial and recreational uses:
27 reserves allow for recreational fishing; and, approximately 85
percent allow for recreational hunting.
Funding the acquisition of coastal land protects research,
education and recreational opportunities; water quality and quantity;
flood storage areas; and critical fish and wildlife habitat. Coastal
and estuarine habitats are consistently ranked as having the highest
need for protection by national non-profits and State assessments.
These places are also under the most intense development pressure as
people continue to move to the coast in search of jobs and a high
quality of life. This land is expensive, and is becoming scarce. PAC's
Federal investment are often the critical seed monies necessary to
attract other pots of private, State, local, and nonprofit funds.
PAC funding allows reserves to be a catalyst in their communities
for conservation. Of the 1.3 million acres that are currently a part of
the reserve system, over 500,000 of those acres are wetlands. Wetlands
provide essential services to all Americans; they are fish and bird
sanctuaries, trap pollutants, store carbon, and act as sponges to
reduce flooding. This ability to store flood waters enables wetlands
like salt marshes to reduce a community's storm damages. These marshes
reduce the risk of flood exposure by 50 percent for people within 2/3
of a mile of these areas, while also reducing property losses in
upstream communities. Reserves are critical coastal areas for
protecting communities against storms and floods, especially along the
eastern seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. For example, $625 million in
property damages were avoided during Hurricane Sandy due to coastal
wetlands protecting property and over 1,300 miles of roads. Ten NERRs
were hit by that storm, contributing to the protection provided by
these habitats. While studies of the impact of 2017 storms are not
completed, they did include the second (Harvey), third (Maria), and
fifth (Irma) most costly storms to hit the U.S.
In addition to the preservation of critical coastal lands, NERRS
PAC funds also in the increase of local construction jobs.
conclusion
NERRA greatly appreciates the past support the subcommittee has
provided. This support is critical to sustain and increase the economic
viability of coastal and estuary-based communities, businesses and
industries.
With NERRA's fiscal year 2020 request of $30 million for the NERRS
Operations and $4 million for NERRS PAC, the program will be able to
enhance delivery of credible scientific research and translation to
local coastal communities around the country.
Thank you for the opportunity to present these remarks. On behalf
of NERRA, I would be happy to answer questions or provide additional
information to the subcommittee.
[This statement was submitted by Lisa Auermuller, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
national oceanic and atmospheric administration
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen and Members of the
subcommittee:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding fiscal
year 2020 funding for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
We respectfully request your approval of robust funding throughout the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) budget,
particularly for the National Ocean Service and National Marine
Fisheries Service to allow for continued and expanding partnerships
that deliver high quality ocean and coastal conservation.
NFWF was established by Congress in 1984 to foster public-private
partnerships to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats. NFWF
matches Federal dollars with non-Federal dollars, averaging at least
three private dollars for each Federal dollar. NFWF leverages the
Federal investment while building consensus and emphasizing
accountability, measurable results, and sustainable conservation
outcomes. fiscal year 2020 funds will allow NFWF to uphold our mission
and expand our successful and expanding partnerships with NOAA.
NFWF has partnered with NOAA since 1996. We have many programs that
are robust, and we continue to grow the NOAA partnership as new
priorities emerge.
examples of nfwf/noaa partnerships
Coral Reef Conservation
Since 2000, NFWF has partnered with NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) to respond to the alarming decline in both the quantity
and productivity of the world's coral reef ecosystems through multiple
coral conservation initiatives that aim to improve management, increase
public awareness, and reduce threats to coral reefs. NFWF works with
local, State, Federal and regional partners to achieve its goals in
coral conservation and bolsters multi-agency initiatives like the U.S.
Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative. The program
works to support reef resiliency by reducing negative impacts from
unsustainable fishing and land-based pollution.
To date, NFWF has supported projects for coral reef conservation
totaling over $43 million for imperiled coral species. Funds have
assisted broad-scale coral reef management by establishing new
techniques for assessing and monitoring reef health and new fishery
management models. Site-specific initiatives have developed and
implemented watershed management plans, reduced sediment erosion
through stream bank stabilization, provided incentives or best
management practices on agricultural lands, and supported capacity-
building of management and conservation organizations to sustain
conservation outcomes.
Fishing for Energy
Fishing for Energy is a partnership between NFWF, NOAA's Marine
Debris Program, Covanta energy company, and Schnitzer Steel Industries.
The Fishing for Energy partnership works to address the problem of
derelict and retired fishing gear in two ways: by providing commercial
fishermen with no-cost opportunities to dispose of gear, and by
offering grant support for gear innovations to prevent loss and reduce
impact. By assisting in prevention and removal of derelict fishing
gear, Fishing for Energy restores the quality of marine and coastal
habitats and supports the communities and industries that rely on these
resources.
Through June 2018, the Fishing for Energy partnership has provided
removal services at 55 ports in 12 States, collecting nearly 4 million
pounds of fishing gear. Gear collected at the ports is first sorted at
Schnitzer Steel Industries for metals recycling, and the remaining non-
recyclable material is converted into energy at Covanta locations.
Sea Turtle Conservation
NFWF's Sea Turtle Program is a 10-year partnership with NOAA and
FWS that guides conservation investments that measurably improve the
current recovery trajectory of seven endangered sea turtle populations
in the Western Hemisphere: leatherbacks, Kemp's ridleys, loggerheads,
and hawksbills in the Northwest Atlantic and leatherbacks, loggerheads
and hawksbills in the Eastern Pacific.
By reducing harmful coastal lights, preventing poaching, and
controlling predation, NFWF projects have increased the productivity of
over 100 miles of priority nesting beaches, allowing hundreds of
thousands of new hatchlings to make it to the sea. NFWF's in-water
efforts to implement safer fishing gear practices reduced sea turtle
bycatch by 50 to 100 percent, not only in the United States, but in
Canada, Mexico, and Peru, saving thousands of turtles annually. NFWF
has also supported global priority setting, methods standardization and
bycatch assessments to increase the efficiency of investments in sea
turtle conservation world-wide.
Fisheries Innovation Fund and Electronic Monitoring and Reporting
NFWF and NOAA launched the Fisheries Innovation Fund in 2010 to
foster innovation in fisheries and seafood production in order to
protect livelihoods and provide sustainable access to fisheries while
also rebuilding fish stocks. The fund supports the participation of
fishermen and their communities in securing sustainable fisheries in
the United States.
Fisheries Innovation Fund funding priorities include bycatch
reduction, recreational fisheries and offshore aquaculture including
voluntary activities to build community capacity and encourage
sustainable use practices. Most projects have originated locally to
address needs, challenges and opportunities at the community level.
The Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) grant program funds
projects to modernize fishery data collection. Innovation and
technology have the potential to bring down the cost of fishery
monitoring; increase the speed, reliability and transparency of
fisheries data; and enable managers and fishermen to address management
challenges more collaboratively.
High quality, timely and accurate fisheries information is critical
to maintaining sustainable U.S. fisheries. Fishermen and seafood
marketers are increasingly using information about their fishing
activity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their
operations and to satisfy their customer demands for legally and
sustainably caught seafood.
National Coastal Resiliency
NFWF's partnership with NOAA on the National Coastal Resiliency
Fund is restoring, increasing and strengthening natural
infrastructure--the natural resources and landscapes that help absorb
the impacts of storms and floods--to protect citizens and coastal
communities while also enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife.
Resilient communities are better prepared to adapt to changing natural
resource conditions, infrastructure threats and impacts to local
economies.
Thanks to bipartisan efforts and support from Congress, NFWF and
NOAA are investing approximately $30 million in Federal funds in 2018--
matched by $38 million in private funding and grantee match for a total
conservation investment of $67 million--toward the restoration or
expansion of natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands,
dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, forests, coastal
rivers, and barrier islands that minimize the impacts of storms and
other naturally occurring events on nearby communities. Additionally,
NFWF and NOAA just announced the request for proposals for the $30
million 2019 resiliency fund, which is likely to attract similar levels
of matching funds.
Restoration projects that help reduce regional threats are a key
component of this program. Examples include storm surge along the East
and Gulf Coasts, subsidence in the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic Coasts,
stormwater management in the Great Lakes, inland flooding that directly
impacts the West coasts, and the combination of inland flooding and
ocean surge for islands such as Hawaii. NFWF and NOAA also promote
innovation in addressing resiliency through the program.
NFWF is investing in resiliency planning and feasibility projects
to build a pipeline of shovel-ready projects in the future. NFWF also
leads significant monitoring and evaluation efforts that measure the
enhanced resilience of the restored coastal systems to improve
understanding of which activities are associated with the greatest and
most cost-effective reductions in storm risk and storm damage.
National Marine Monuments--National Marine Sanctuary Research and
Innovation Grants
One of the challenges for NOAA and its partners in working in
marine sanctuaries is gaining access to remote locations. Past agency
funding only allows for a single voyage to address multiple needs and
locations per year, making it difficult to do the in-depth studies that
managers need. NFWF and NOAA initiated a new model for investments to
go deeper, learn more and further expand the existing program and
research dollars that are currently invested to maximize the
conservation impact.
The partnership supports collaborative research and conservation
actions to galvanize each year's investments around a theme. For
example, prioritized research could focus on a key species or
geographic area of the monument, or target actions to address a key
threat that has been prioritized. This maximizes research/management
collaboration and outreach opportunities.
nfwf background
NFWF was established by Congress in 1984 to catalyze private
investments to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats. NFWF raises
private funds not only to leverage Federal dollars, but also to support
the associated management costs of implementing the Federal funds. Over
the past 35 years, NFWF has invested $5.3 billion in to more than
17,500 projects while partnering with more than 4,500 organizations.
NFWF remains fully transparent and is required by law to notify
Congress 30 days in advance of every grant that exceeds $10,000 in
Federal funds. Details of all projects awarded during fiscal year 2018
can be found in NFWF's annual investment guide and all of NFWF's grants
can be found on our website: https://www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/
search/Pages/Grant-Search.aspx
In fiscal year 2018, NFWF was audited by an independent accounting
firm and they issued an unqualified report with no material weaknesses
identified and no deficiencies identified. This is the TENTH
consecutive year of unqualified audits. In addition, NFWF has
continually qualified as a low risk auditee under OMB guidelines.
In fiscal year 2018, through voluntary discretionary cooperative
agreements, NFWF partnered with 16 Federal agencies or departments and
more than 30 corporations to support implementation of Federal
conservation priorities. These efforts focused on working landscapes,
private lands, natural resource conservation, coastal resiliency and
community-based restoration.
conclusion
For more than three decades, NFWF has been at the forefront of
national conservation activity. With our partners, NFWF has contributed
to some of the Nation's most important conservation programs, invested
millions in worthy and successful projects, and spearheaded programs to
conserve our Nation's most treasured natural resources. We have a
successful model of coordinating and leveraging Federal funds to
attract support from the private sector to address the most significant
threats to fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen and Members of the
subcommittee, we greatly appreciate your continued support and stand
ready to answer any questions you or your staff might have.
[This statement was submitted by Greg E. Knadle, Vice President,
Government Affairs.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association
This testimony is submitted on behalf of the National Legal Aid &
Defender Association (NLADA), which is America's oldest and largest
national nonprofit organization whose resources are exclusively
dedicated to promoting excellence in the delivery of legal services in
order to advance access to justice for all. We are grateful for the
opportunity to provide comments to the committee regarding the Legal
Services Corporation, for which we request at least $683 million, the
Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance, Training and Technical
Assistance grant program, for which we recommend $2 million, the John
R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Assistance program, for which we
recommend $25 million, and civil legal assistance for victims of
domestic and sexual violence, for which we recommend $57 million.
legal services corporation
LSC is America's investment in its promise of equal justice. LSC
distributes 94 percent of its appropriation directly to 133
organizations providing civil legal aid to people in every U.S. State
and territory who have legal problems with life-altering potential
consequences. Family and housing cases are the most common. Without
access to legal help in these matters, victims of domestic violence can
be denied safety from an abusive parent or spouse, and families can
lose their homes through unnecessary eviction or foreclosure. LSC also
enables legal aid programs to respond quickly and effectively to
emerging challenges facing low-income and middle-class Americans. The
new LSC task forces on the opioid crisis and disaster recovery are
helping guide legal aid programs in confronting these complex large-
scale issues that have created immeasurable damage to so many
communities across our country.
There is a wealth of data that demonstrates how access to civil
legal aid creates positive long-term outcomes for clients, such as
increased housing stability and income levels, lower incidence of
mental health problems in veterans,\1\ and improved ``safety,
psychological well-being, and economic self-sufficiency'' for victims
of intimate partner violence.\2\ Despite this evidence, and despite the
current strength of our economy, the need for legal assistance
continues to dramatically outweigh the amount we choose to spend on it,
which is the reason for our request that this committee significantly
expand the appropriation for LSC.
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\1\ Tsai, J., Middleton, M., Villegas, J., Johnson, C., Retkin, R.,
Seidman, A., Sherman, S., and Rosenheck, R. (2017) ``Medical-Legal
Partnerships At Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Improved Housing And
Psychosocial Outcomes For Vets'', Health Affairs 36 (12).
\2\ Hartley, C., and Renner, L. (2016) ``The Longer-Term Influence
of Civil Legal Services on Battered Women'', U.S. Department of
Justice.
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Data published by LSC in 2017 revealed that the $385 million
appropriated for LSC the previous year only enabled grantees to fully
address roughly one third of legal problems brought to them, and that
41 percent received no service at all.\3\ Most of those who did not
receive services were turned away because the program from which they
sought help did not have sufficient resources to assist. Based on this
data, we developed an approximate average cost of service per case, and
using this number, estimated the amount that would have been needed to
fully address every eligible legal problem: $683 million, adjusted for
inflation. In estimating the cost of addressing every problem, we
needed to make a number of generalizations and assumptions about the
cost of service per case. In recognition of the budgetary constraints
under which the Appropriations Committee operates, we intentionally
took a highly conservative approach to those calculations.\4\ Our
request is therefore likely to understate, to a significant extent, the
amount grantee organizations would actually need. For this reason we
request ``at least'' $683 million.
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\3\ Legal Services Corporation (2017) The Justice Gap: Measuring
the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans.
\4\ The report delineates civil legal problems that were fully
addressed and problems that were not addressed ``to the extent
necessary to fully address the clients' legal needs.'' Our calculation
includes an assumption that fully addressing an ``average'' legal
problem costs 1.5 times the amount it costs to provide inadequate
service. Particularly because the latter includes even the most minimal
level of assistance, it is highly unlikely that this assumption is
accurate and the average difference in cost between full and partial
service is likely to be far higher in reality. The effect of this
conservative assumption is to understate the actual resources required
to fully address those problems that are currently addressed
inadequately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, we emphasize that the appropriation level we request
would not meet the total need for civil legal aid. Across the country,
only an estimated 20 percent of low-income Americans even seek
assistance with their civil legal problems, often because they are
unaware that resources exist to help them.\5\ In fact, the level we
recommend in this testimony is 27 percent lower than funding would have
been had the LSC appropriation simply kept pace with inflation since
1980,\6\ and the fiscal year 2019 appropriation is less than half of
the 1980 level in inflation-adjusted dollars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Legal Services Corporation (2017) The Justice Gap: Measuring
the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans.
\6\ Houseman, A. & Perle, L. E. (2018) Securing Equal Justice for
All: A Brief History of Civil Legal Assistance in the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This diminished level of funding for LSC is not only harmful to
communities that rely on civil legal assistance, but it is economically
short-sighted. There is a direct, measurable, and significant return on
investment from civil legal aid. In Alabama, for example, analysis
demonstrates that for every dollar spent on civil legal aid,
communities in the State received $8.84 in direct and long-term
financial benefits.\7\ This return includes a reduction in taxpayer
spending on community services that results from provision of legal
help, such as on housing and other support costs for a family that
would have been forced out of their home were it not for access to an
attorney.
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\7\ Community Services Analysis, LLC (2015) Alabama Legal Aid
Social Return on Investment Analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While there are sources of funding for civil legal aid outside of
LSC, these resources are distributed in a highly uneven manner. Rural
areas are routinely underserved, but through LSC the Federal
appropriation can be targeted to meet the areas of most extreme need.
At the same time, the civil legal aid infrastructure that is built
around LSC facilitates the investment of private resources into
expanding access to civil legal assistance, multiplying the impact of
the Federal appropriation. Private attorneys contribute more than a
week of legal services pro bono on average each year,\8\ but they are
only able to volunteer in such volume because the existence of LSC
grantees that provide needed training, supervision, and access to
clients. LSC also invests directly in expanding private attorney
involvement through its Pro Bono Innovation Fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ American Bar Association (2018) Supporting Justice: A Report on
the Pro Bono Work of America's Lawyers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
By continuing to underfund civil legal aid, we not only fail to
preserve the foundation of American democracy but also cause
significant and severe harm to the people and communities for whom
access to a lawyer can be the difference between poverty and
opportunity, sickness and health, and even life and death. We ask that
you take the first step toward fully meeting our country's most
fundamental promise by providing $683 million for LSC in fiscal year
2020.
tribal civil and criminal legal assistance, training and technical
assistance
We urge this subcommittee to support the work done on behalf of
Native Americans by Indian Legal Services by maintaining funding within
the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, State and Local
Law Enforcement Assistance account at a level similar to that provided
in recent years, which is approximately $1 to 2 million for the Tribal
Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance, Training and Technical Assistance
grant program (TCCLA). This could be either within a specified line
item for ``assistance to Indian Tribes,'' as Congress provided $37.5
million for in the fiscal year 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act, or
within a Tribal set-aside percentage of Office of Justice Programs
accounts, as the administration has proposed in the fiscal year 2020
budget request in section 210.
For the past 8 years, through fiscal year 2018, a consortium of 24
Indian Legal Services programs connected with the Legal Services
Corporation and operating in 23 States has been awarded funding under
the TCCLA grants program. In addition to using TCCLA funds to provide
legal representation to thousands of American Indian and Alaska Native
individuals in Tribal and State courts, Indian Legal Services programs
are currently assisting more than 160 Tribal governments and/or Tribal
judicial systems to enhance or develop their justice systems.
Examples of the Indian Legal Services programs' Tribal civil
justice assistance work done under TCCLA awards include initial
drafting of Tribal laws as well as revisions to civil codes, policies
and procedures; developing alternative resolution systems, based on
Tribal customs and traditions; and developing and conducting Tribal
court advocate training programs. Civil and criminal representation of
individuals in Tribal and State courts has included family law,
probate, employment, disability benefits claims, public housing,
property disputes, debt collection, child welfare and juvenile
delinquency matters; guardian ad litem work in high conflict custody,
guardianship, and parental termination cases; representation of
families in Indian Child Welfare Act cases in State court; and
addressing the impact on individuals and families from substance abuse
and correlated incidents of criminal activity by reforming Tribal
sentencing guidelines.
The Indian Legal Services programs' Tribal criminal work under
TCCLA has included assisting Tribes with revisions to their criminal
codes for compliance with these statutes, as well as drafting and
updating codes, policies and procedures, and drafting of civil and
criminal codes, including children's codes, and rules of procedure;
Tribal court development, restructuring and improvement; training of
judicial, law enforcement and justice systems personnel and Tribal
court lay advocates and guardians ad litem; and negotiation or
litigation to address jurisdictional issues with State court systems.
Lay advocate and peacemaker trainings have been done with Tribal
colleges and university law schools. Several Indian Legal Services
programs have worked with the Tribes and their Tribal courts to
establish ``Wellness Courts'' in conjunction with the local State
courts. In these instances, a defendant appears before a Tribal court
judge and county district court judge simultaneously. The programs are
engaged in helping 18 of the 160 Tribes they serve to implement the
Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (TLOA) and the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA). The programs provide the only
public defender service available in at least 46 Tribal courts.
In fiscal year 2020, whether Congress provides funding to the DOJ
for Indian Country Tribal justice and law enforcement programs as a
Tribal set-aside of a percentage of overall DOJ funding, or in an
overall sum as the $37.5 million appropriated in the fiscal year 2019
Consolidated Appropriations Act for ``assistance to Indian Tribes,'' we
request that funding, bill and report language be included directing
that some funds be allocated for the purpose of the provision of both
Tribal civil and criminal legal assistance to individual Tribal
citizens and to Tribal judicial systems pursuant to the Indian Tribal
Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act.
john r. justice student loan repayment assistance program
Public defenders fulfill the constitutional right to counsel; they
are essential to due process and our concept of liberty. They protect
the rights of defendants in criminal cases and work to ensure that case
outcomes are fair and just. A law degree is a requirement of all public
defenders, but obtaining such a degree routinely leaves graduates with
a six-figure student loan debt. This debt can make it financially
impossible to enter low-paying jobs at public defender organizations,
or to remain in those jobs for long enough to gain the experience
needed to become a highly effective advocate for their clients. The
John R. Justice program can provide relief from this debt, and as such
support the recruitment and retention needs of public defender and
prosecutor offices, by contributing to an individual's monthly student
loan payments. However, the fiscal year 2019 appropriation for John R.
Justice was just $2 million and this level of funding severely limits
the scope and effectiveness of the program. We therefore request that
this subcommittee fully fund the John R. Justice program at the
authorized amount of $25 million for fiscal year 2020.
violence against women act (vawa) programs
More than ``1 in 3 women (35.6 percent) and more than 1 in 4 men
(28.5 percent) in the United States have experienced rape, physical
violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.''
\9\ VAWA programs provide vital services that protect victims and
support interventions that improve short and long-term outcomes for
individuals and families who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.
The incidence of intimate partner violence has declined sharply since
the passage of VAWA.\10\ We therefore request a significant increase in
the appropriation for all VAWA programs. None of this appropriation
should be funded by the Crime Victims Fund administered by the
Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. Doing so self-
evidently reduces the total amount available to serve victims of crime
and jeopardizes the sustainability of Crime Victims Fund over the long-
term.
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\9\ National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010
Summary Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC (2010).
\10\ Modi, M. N., Palmer, S., & Armstrong, A. (2014). The Role of
Violence Against Women Act in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: A
Public Health Issue. Journal of Women's Health (2002), 23(3), 253-259.
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In particular, we request that the Civil Legal Assistance for
Victims Grant Program be fully funded. Civil legal aid is a critical
component of a continuum of support for victims of domestic violence
and sexual assault. Common legal needs experienced by individuals and
families who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence
include obtaining protective or restraining orders that protect their
immediate physical safety, representation through the divorce process
as well as help in custody, visitation, and child support matters. As
noted above, legal assistance not only provides physical protection but
also creates improved psychological and economic outcomes for survivors
over the long term. Considering the seriousness of the consequences for
victims who lack access to legal help, we request that Congress fully
fund the VAWA Civil Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program at the
authorized level of $57 million.
[This statement was submitted by Don Saunders, Vice President,
Civil Legal Services.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
coral reef conservation program appropriations
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science and Related Agencies, thank you for the opportunity to submit
written testimony regarding appropriations for National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program in
fiscal year 2020. We respectfully request that you prioritize requests
for $30.6 million for Coral Reef Conservation within NOAA's Operations,
Research and Facilities (ORF) account.
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in
the world. They provide economic benefits and vital ecosystem services
such as food, recreation, marine habitat, coastal protection, and
climate regulation. We are requesting $3 million in order to support
coral monitoring, research and restoration in the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary and connected ecosystems. Florida's coral reefs are
experiencing a multi-year outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease.
This event is unique due to its large geographic range, extended
duration, rapid progression, high rates of mortality and the number of
species affected. The disease is thought to be caused by bacteria and
can be transmitted to other corals through direct contact and water
circulation. Researchers are working to identify potential pathogens
and relationships with environmental factors, strategies to treat
diseased colonies, and identify genotypes of corals that are resistant
to the disease in order to aid in restoration. With less than 6 percent
of the total Florida Keys reef tract remaining, protecting and
restoring corals is vital to conserving our only U.S. living coral reef
and a sustaining an ecosystem critical to the Florida and U.S. tourism
economy. We also believe that with this investment the Florida Keys can
become a living laboratory for coral restoration. We must enable the
best and the brightest of our coral scientists and researchers to work
together to restore and protect America's underwater national
treasures.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide written testimony to the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and
Related Agencies.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Kristen J. Sarri, President
and CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
office of national marine sanctuaries appropriations
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science and Related Agencies, thank you for the opportunity to submit
written testimony regarding appropriations for the Office of National
Marine Sanctuaries in fiscal year 2020. As supporters, stakeholders,
and partners of America's National Marine Sanctuary System, we strongly
urge Congress to support the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at
no less than $65.5 million in fiscal year 2020. The same level
requested by 101 Members of Congress in their bipartisan House dear
colleague letter. We respectfully request that you prioritize requests
for:
--$57 million for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas, within the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)
Operations, Research, and Facilities (ORF) account; and,
--$8.5 million for Marine Sanctuaries Construction, within NOAA's
Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC) account.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, California Marine
Sanctuary Foundation (CA), Cordell Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CA),
Greater Farallones Association (CA), Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary Foundation (CA), Friends of Mallows Potomac (MD), Friends of
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MI), Gray's Reef National Marine
Sanctuary Foundation (GA), Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Foundation (WA), and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
(FL) strongly support funding the National Marine Sanctuary System at
these levels. Our organizations work together to conserve treasured
places in our oceans and Great Lakes for current and future generations
of Americans to enjoy. We promote citizen science, research,
conservation, education, and community engagement to protect coral
reefs and marine habitats, conserve places of cultural significance,
and preserve our maritime history and heritage. Partnerships are
critical to the National Marine Sanctuary System. Through collaboration
with local communities, government, corporations, and individual
donors, our organizations increase our impact.
Today, the National Marine Sanctuary Systems consists of 13
national marine sanctuaries, and NOAA ONMS co-manages two marine
national monuments, totaling over 620,000 square miles. These sites
conserve some of the Nation's most critical natural, historic, and
cultural resources in the ocean and Great Lakes such as the USS
Monitor, Midway Island, sacred heritage sites for Native Americans, and
some of the largest and oldest corals in the world. They are home to
millions of species, preserve more than 300 shipwrecks and our Nation's
maritime heritage, and promote public access for exploration and world-
class outdoor recreation and enjoyment for future generations.
Sanctuary visitor centers, vessels, and facilities are key assets for
communities; stimulate public-private partnerships on emerging
technologies, cutting edge science, and hands-on education; and attract
millions of visitors to the coasts each year.
Across all national marine sanctuaries, about $8 billion annually
is generated in local, coastal economies from diverse activities like
commercial fishing, research, education and recreation-tourist
activities. Over 42 million people visit sanctuaries each year. From
restaurants and hotels, to aquariums and kayak operators, the success
of many businesses, millions of dollars in sales and thousands of jobs,
directly depend on thriving national marine sanctuaries. As a travel
destination, few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of
the National Marine Sanctuary System. The majority of national marine
sanctuaries' waters are open to recreational activities, which also
allows for considerable benefits to local economies. Public-private
partnerships bring innovative approaches to conserving our natural and
cultural resources. Collaborations among universities, institutions,
non-profits, businesses, and enforcement entities at local, State, and
national levels leverage resources and build relationships to have a
greater impact for communities and the economy. Below are a few
examples of the value of sanctuaries to local economies:
--In Washington State, $101.6 million was spent on recreation in the
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. This spending
generated, with multiplier impacts, $128.2 million in output,
$78 million in value-added (gross regional product), and $46.1
million in income, which supported 1,192 jobs.
--Along the California coast, $155.6 million on average is spent
annually on recreational fishing in the State's four national
marine sanctuaries. This spending supports an average of 1,400
jobs, and generates $213.1 million in sales and output and
$74.6 million in income in local communities.
--In the Florida Keys, more than 33,000 jobs are supported by ocean
recreation and tourism, accounting for 58 percent of the local
economy and $2.3 billion in annual sales.
--In Michigan, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the focus
of its tourism attractions and local development strategy from
the Sanctuary Inn to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center,
to the STEM education opportunities through the Alpena
Community College and local high school ROV competitions, to
its glass bottom boat tours to experience the shipwrecks
without getting wet. Over half (58 percent) of visitors to
Alpena came to visit Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary,
which is the region's most popular attraction, boasting nearly
100,000 visitors per year.
--In Massachusetts, over $126 million in whale watching revenue and
600 jobs at 31 businesses resulting from less than $2 million
invested in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off
of Massachusetts. Virtually all of Massachusetts whale watching
occurs in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, recently
named one of the premiere whale watching locations in the
world.
Balancing multiple uses on the water and engaging many
constituencies in the community, sanctuaries provide a comprehensive,
highly participatory approach to managing and conserving marine and
Great Lakes resources. National marine sanctuaries are the blue
backyards for tens of thousands of citizens and volunteers who live
along the coast or in the watersheds of these treasured sites. Public
participation is a hallmark of sanctuaries and underscores their
dedication to civic engagement and leadership.
Every year, thousands of volunteers devote their time and effort to
protect sanctuaries for future generations. They represent the best of
America and what starts as one passionate citizen becomes an empowered
community. Sanctuary volunteer programs are nationally recognized and
awarded for their work increasing awareness, engaging the community,
promoting stewardship, and providing critical information and support
for science, research, education, and management. In 2018, sanctuary
volunteers contributed over 130,000 hours across the system,
contributing more than $3.16 million in valuable support.
In 2022, the Nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the National
Marine Sanctuaries Act. As the Nation moves towards this anniversary,
it is a unique opportunity to invest in America's public waters, and
the communities and businesses that depend upon them. We hope that the
appropriations request for fiscal year 2020 will serve as the beginning
of a deliberate and strategic investment in national marine sanctuaries
building up to the 50th Anniversary. Robust funding will ensure sound
management of these treasured places and the mission critical tools,
like small boats; strengthen community engagement and stewardship of
sanctuaries; and improve our understanding of marine and Great Lakes
issues.
For sanctuary Operations, Research and Facilities (ORF) funding, we
urge Congress to provide $57 million. Because sanctuaries are located
offshore, public awareness and education about the sites and the
resources they conserve are critical, as is technology to let Americans
look ``under the surface.'' Therefore, we are proposing $3 million to
support growth in community-based sanctuaries, respond to the
groundswell of communities nationwide seeking to expand sites or
propose and designate new ones, and increase funds for management at
existing sanctuaries. To support this effort, the proposed increase
includes $1 million to for national blue business stewardship efforts
for marine sanctuaries. Similar to America's national parks, marine
sanctuaries support tourism and a robust recreational industry. Such
efforts will also set the stage for the 50th anniversary of the
National Marine Sanctuary System. We are requesting $2 million to
conduct cooperative conservation science and research programs within
sanctuaries that will improve resources management and advance
innovative public-private partnerships. Finally, the requested increase
includes $2 million for public education, outreach, and awareness
efforts at individual sites in the National Marine Sanctuary System to
show how the sanctuaries can serve as a model for protecting marine
ecosystems around the world, explore beyond our horizons using new
technologies, and connect communities to their marine and Great Lakes
wonders.
Sanctuary visitor centers, vessels, and facilities are key assets
for communities; stimulate public-private partnerships on emerging
technologies, cutting edge science, and hands-on education; and attract
millions of visitors to the coasts each year. These platforms act as
the public face of proactive management and protection, promoting
partnerships for science and education, and are a vital link between
sanctuaries and the millions of Americans who visit the coast each
year.
For sanctuary Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC)
funding, we propose $8.5 million. This request includes $4.5 million to
replace vessels critical to operations, management, and enforcement,
including the replacement of the R/V Tatoosh in the Olympic Peninsula,
WA and the R/V Rachael Caron in the Florida Keys, FL. This is the first
year in a long-term effort to recapitalize the ONMS Small Boat Fleet.
Last April, ONMS released its Small Boat Fleet Assessment. Every
national marine sanctuary relies on its NOAA small boats to access its
protected resources and implement management plans. The small boat
fleet also supports partnerships to help improve understanding of our
marine and Great Lakes environments. Increasing demands on an aging
fleet are leading to higher operating costs as well as near and long-
term challenges to maintaining safe, efficient and effective
operations. For managers and partners to continue to assess, monitor,
research, and protect our oceans and Great Lakes, recapitalizing aging
vessels across the National Marine Sanctuary System in addition to
upgrades, retrofits, and life cycle extensions is critical. Investment
is necessary now for new vessels. The request also includes $2 million
for visitor centers, facilities, and signage improvements and ADA
compliance; and $2 million in a Sanctuary Challenge Fund. The Sanctuary
Challenge Fund is an innovative approach, based on the model of the
highly successful National Park Service Centennial Fund, to finance
signature projects and programs across the National Marine Sanctuary
System. The public investment would be matched at least 1:1 by
nonFederal donations to address the backlog of needs for sanctuary
facilities that enhance the sanctuary visitor experience as part of the
ramp up to the 50th anniversary.
Our national marine sanctuaries are national treasures. The
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and our network of community
leaders strongly urge Congress to invest in community-based national
marine sanctuaries by prioritizing a budget of no less than $65.5
million in fiscal year 2020. Investments in these areas support local
economies and jobs in a diversity of sectors from education to outdoor
recreation to fishing and underscore the value of communities in
America's iconic underwater places.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide written testimony to the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and
Related Agencies.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Kristen J. Sarri, President
and CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR)
youth mentoring grant (doj)
On behalf of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR),
our network of Affiliates, and youth mentoring programs throughout the
country, I thank Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Shaheen for the
opportunity to provide testimony in support of a critical Federal
investment in America's young people. My testimony will focus on the
Part G Youth Mentoring Program housed in the Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) at the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ). MENTOR and our partners are calling on your committee to
continue your bipartisan support of the Youth Mentoring Program with an
investment of $120 million in fiscal year 2020. This investment will
make it possible for quality mentoring organizations using evidence-
based practices to better meet the mentoring needs of many of our
Nation's most at-risk youth.
MENTOR is the unifying national champion for expanding quality
youth mentoring relationships and connecting volunteers to mentoring
opportunities in their local communities. In a time when 1 in 3 young
people are growing up without a mentor, MENTOR seeks to close this
``mentoring gap'' and ensure our Nation's young people have the caring
adult support they need to succeed at school, in community, and in the
workforce. We seek to leverage resources and provide the tools and
expertise that local programs--whether in schools, nonprofits, faith-
based institutions, or the private sector--require to provide high-
quality mentoring for young people who need it most, build greater
awareness of the value of mentors, and positively inform public policy
in order to bring support and opportunity to young people in need.
I write this testimony on behalf of the thousands of mentoring
programs and millions of volunteer adult mentors that serve our
communities each day, as well as the millions of young people in the
United States still waiting to find the supportive caring adults they
need to thrive. I would also like to thank the Senate Commerce,
Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for its history
of supporting these critical Federal funds for evidence-based mentoring
and demonstrating leadership in expanding pathways for young people.
The Benefits of Quality Youth Mentoring
Youth mentoring is a simple, yet powerful concept: a caring adult
provides guidance, support, and encouragement to help a young person
achieve success in life. Research confirms that quality evidence-based
mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people
in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations.
Mentoring is a strategic intervention and prevention-based strategy
that helps foster positive outcomes for young people from all
backgrounds and Zip codes. Mentoring is proven to play an important
role in the following areas of support for young people:
Reducing Unsafe or Risky Behaviors: Mentors provide young
people with consistent support as they encounter the daily
challenges of navigating their lives. Mentors serve to help
young people make healthy decisions and stay away from high-
risk behaviors. Young people who meet regularly with their
mentors are 46 percent less likely than their peers to start
using illegal drugs and 27 percent less likely to start
drinking. Mentors also provide guidance to positive behaviors
that could support growth and development in a young person.
Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are
81 percent more likely to participate regularly in sports or
extracurricular activities than those who do not.
Workforce Development: Mentoring helps develop the future
workplace talent pipeline by preparing young people for careers
through exposure and 21st century skill-building. One study
estimates that the human potential lost as a result of the
educational achievement gap is the economic equivalent of a
permanent national recession. There are far too many young
people who have not had access to the opportunities that having
a mentor opens to professional and career development.
Mentoring helps young people set career goals and take the
steps to accomplish those goals. Through their mentors, young
people are also introduced to resources and organizations they
may not be familiar with, providing them with new networks as
well as methods to find jobs and internships.
Educational Achievement: According to the Department of
Education, during the 2013-14 school year, over 6.8 million
students (14 percent of all students) were chronically absent.
Students who are chronically absent are more likely to fall
behind academically, particularly in reading, more likely to
have increased behavioral issues and more likely to drop out of
school. Young people who are chronically absent benefit
exponentially from having a mentor to aid regular attendance
and provide the young person academic and emotional support.
Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52 percent
less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37
percent less likely to skip a class. Mentoring provides young
people with an important support that helps develop positive
attitudes towards school and reduce recurring behavior
problems. Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a
mentor are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college
than those who did not have a mentor.
Social Emotional Development and Mental Health: Mentoring
provides young people with improved communications with their
families and other caring adult relationships. A recent study
showed that the strongest benefit from mentoring, and most
consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive
symptoms. Mentoring promotes positive social attitudes and
relationships. Mentored youth trust their parents and guardians
more and communicate better. These benefits serve as building
blocks for engagement in positive activities, increased school
participation and improved attitudes.
Youth Mentoring ultimately provides much-needed social support,
increased positive relationships with and perceptions of adults, life
skills training, and access to social capital to young people who are
in need of support leading them to positive and productive futures.
Closing the Mentoring Gap
While mentoring is an effective evidence-based intervention and
prevention strategy for at-risk and high-risk young people, mentoring
organizations across the Nation still face barriers in providing high-
quality mentoring services. Thousands of young people remain on
waitlists at organizations because of limited resources and funding for
programs. Many programs also lack the training and technical assistance
that could bolster their mentoring programs to better support young
people and specifically high-risk young people. These two issues
combined have provided many obstacles for mentoring programs, but with
the critical support of both private and public funds mentoring
organizations have been able to serve more young people.
One of the ways that mentoring programs have succeeded in
decreasing waitlists is through support from the Youth Mentoring
Program. The program focuses on prevention and interventions for at-
risk youth and helps mentoring programs as they work to close the
mentoring gap. These funds go directly to providing support for some of
our highest risk young people, who without these kinds of interventions
could likely become involved in negative behaviors and activities
causing harm to themselves, their communities, and which take an
economic toll. In a 2016 study conducted by MENTOR it was found that 75
percent of programs have a budget of under $100,000. Mentoring programs
work far beyond their financial capacity to serve young people, but
with additional resources their reach expands exponentially and the
quality of their services can strengthen through improved training and
technical assistance. The individual cost per mentored youth has
remained relatively steady over the past 20 years, however costs for
high-risk groups of young people including those with mental health
needs, teen parents, or victims of commercial sexual exploitation, for
example, require more resources and expertise, increasing the cost per
youth in order to fully address their unique needs. Mentoring programs
utilize Federal support in part to better serve the large number of
young people who could benefit most from evidence-based mentoring.
Mentoring programs are able to safely serve young people when they
are fully trained on the most up to date mentoring evidence and
training. In 2015, through funds from the Youth Mentoring Program, The
National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) was created to improve the
quality and effectiveness of mentoring by supporting youth mentoring
practitioners. MENTOR runs the National Mentoring Resource Center and
provides free mentoring tools, program and training materials and no-
cost, evidence-based technical assistance to mentoring programs, school
districts, nonprofits and faith-based institutions across the Nation.
This important resource has bolstered the ability of mentoring programs
to serve young people from vulnerable populations including young
people at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system, youth in foster
care, and victims of commercial sex trafficking.
Research on youth mentoring demonstrates that, at a minimum, for
every dollar invested in quality mentoring programs there is a return
of at least three dollars. This positive return on investment reflects
projected increases in lifetime earnings gained by leading at-risk
youth down the path towards becoming productive adults. It also derives
from dollars saved through reduced risky behaviors in young people,
decreased school absence, high school graduation rates, and lowered
risk of youth involvement in unsafe and costly behaviors.
Unfortunately, the Youth Mentoring Program is now the only
remaining Federal grant exclusively dedicated to providing funds for
evidence-based mentoring. Youth Mentoring Program funds have been
awarded to national, multi-state and collaborative mentoring projects
and programs who serve suburban, rural and urban populations. The
flexibility of the grant has allowed organizations to use these funds
to specifically tailor programs to their community's unique needs. This
provides local control and specialized concentration on results that
work best for each young person and their communities. As previously
outlined, these funds also invest in research to learn what is most
effective, bridging this research to practice, and driving quality and
impact through hands-on community-based capacity building. These funds
are simply invaluable in the ways that they affect youth development,
educational achievement, and safe communities.
Without adequate resources and funding mentoring programs and
ultimately America's young people do not have access to the caring
adults they need to develop healthy, safe, and productive lives. It
better weaves together our communities, drives greater understanding,
enriches the lives of both parties, and efficiently leverages
volunteers to drive impact backed by quality programs.
This request in support of $120 million for the Youth Mentoring
Program will allow more young people to have access to the important
social, professional, and academic opportunities we hope to provide for
all America's youth. The Youth Mentoring Program demonstrates a sound
and an effective investment in evidence-based programs that works and
will have definitive and measureable impact on closing the mentoring
gap in America.
Thank you again for this opportunity to provide testimony on this
critical Federal resource supporting young people.
[This statement was submitted by David Shapiro, Chief Executive
Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Natural Science Collections Alliance
national science foundation
The Natural Science Collections Alliance appreciates the
opportunity to provide testimony in support of fiscal year 2020
appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). We encourage
Congress to provide the NSF with at least $9 billion in fiscal year
2020.
The Natural Science Collections Alliance is a non-profit association
that supports natural science collections, their human resources, the
institutions that house them, and their research activities for the
benefit of science and society. Our membership consists of institutions
that are part of an international network of museums, botanical
gardens, herbaria, universities, and other institutions that contain
natural science collections and use them in research, exhibitions,
academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.
Scientific collections, and the collections professionals and
scientists who make, care for, make accessible, and study these
resources, are a vital component of our Nation's research
infrastructure. Whether held at a museum, government laboratory or
archive, or in a university science department, these scientific
resources consist of data (for example, genetic, tissue, organism, and
environmental) that are a unique and irreplaceable foundation from
which scientists are studying and explaining past and present life on
earth.
Natural science collections advance scientific research and
education, and that informs actions to improve public health,
agricultural productivity, natural resource management, biodiversity
conservation, and American economic innovation. Current research
involving natural science collections also contributes to the
development of new cyberinfrastructure, data visualization tools, and
improved data management practices. A few examples of how scientific
collections have saved lives, enhanced food production, and advanced
scientific discovery include:
--Scientists used museum specimens in U.S. collections to gather data
on the distribution of the mosquito Culex quadrofaciatus, which
is known to carry West Nile Virus and other pathogens. These
data were used to construct models for the distribution of this
mosquito under different climate scenarios to predict regions
where the species may expand in the future. These predictions
can help public health officials plan for potential disease
outbreaks.
--Citrus bacterial canker disease wreaks havoc on fruit crops in
Florida. Using plant specimens collected a century ago,
scientists have analyzed the bacterium and traced its source.
Knowledge of how the bacteria spreads allows scientists to
develop effective control methods and to protect the U.S.
citrus industry.
--In 2018, researchers from Boston University documented Tau proteins
in the brains of fluid preserved museum specimens of Downy
Woodpecker (Dendrocopus pubescens). These proteins are also
found in humans with traumatic brain injury. Because of the
life history traits (behaviors) of woodpeckers, the researchers
argue these birds may have evolved a level of resistance to
traumatic head injuries that might offer insights about
potential treatments for humans with traumatic brain injury.
--In 1993, a deadly disease appeared in the southwestern United
States. Using NSF-supported biological collections at Texas
Tech University and University of New Mexico, the agent was
determined to be Hantavirus carried by a few species of
rodents. When rodent populations increased following an El Nino
weather event, the animals spread into human environments and
increased the transmission of Hantavirus. With the vector
known, it was possible to lessen the risk to humans by reducing
opportunities for disease transmission. Using other specimens,
scientists have now identified more than 40 other strains of
Hantavirus worldwide that are carried by bats, moles, and
shrews. Similar work is underway to identify the carrier of
Ebola in Africa.
Scientific collections enable us to tell the story of life on
Earth. There are more than 1,600 biological collections in the United
States. These resources are the result of more than 200 years of
scientific investigation, discovery, and inventory of living and fossil
species. Scientists have collected, studied, and curated more than one
billion specimens within those collections. This work is on-going as
new questions continue to be asked. The institutions that care for
scientific collections are important research infrastructure for the
United States that also provide students with hands-on training
opportunities.
The NSF plays a unique role in protecting and expanding access to
our Nation's scientific collections. NSF supports research that uses
existing collections as well as studies that gather new natural history
specimens. The Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences
(GEO), and Social and Behavioral and Economic sciences support research
and student training opportunities in natural history collections. The
NSF is also an important supporter of national biological research
infrastructure that houses natural history collections, such as living
stock collections and field stations.
NSF funds state-of-the-art work to digitize high priority specimen
collections. The result of this effort is that irreplaceable biological
specimens and their associated data are now accessible through the
Internet to researchers, educators, and the public. More than 95
million specimens are now online, with millions more awaiting
digitization. This effort involves biologists, computer scientists, and
engineers in multi-disciplinary teams who develop innovative imaging,
robotics, and data storage and retrieval methods, and projects using
crowd-sourcing are engaging the broader public. These new tools
expedite the digitization process and contribute to the development of
new products and services of value to other industries. Museum
specimens and associated data represent an extraordinary resource for
teaching core concepts in science.
In addition to supporting research, NSF's science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs enhance the
ability of museums, botanic gardens, zoos, and other research
institutions to provide science learning opportunities for students.
NSF's Advancing Informal STEM Learning program furthers our
understanding of informal science education outside of traditional
classrooms. The program makes important contributions to efforts to
make STEM more inclusive of historically underrepresented groups.
conclusion
Investments in the National Science Foundation and its efforts to
support scientific and educational advances in natural science
collections have always been in the national interest. Scientific
collections contribute to improved public well-being and national
economic security. It is not possible to replace this important
documentation of our Nation's heritage. Specimens collected decades or
centuries ago are increasingly used to develop and validate models that
explain how species, including viruses, parasites, and pathogens have
dispersed around the world, as well as how and when they might infect
humans now and in the future.
The NSF is the primary funding source that provides support to
institutions that preserve at-risk scientific collections. These small
grants help ensure these collections are not destroyed and their data
lost.
Investments in NSF programs that support natural science
collections research and education are essential if we are to maintain
our global leadership in innovation. Please support funding of at least
$9 billion for NSF for fiscal year 2020.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for
your prior support of the National Science Foundation.
[This statement was submitted by John Bates, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Nature Conservancy
programs under the national oceanic and atmospheric administration
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the fiscal year 2020
appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit conservation
organization working in all 50 States and 72 countries to conserve the
lands and waters on which all life depends. As the Nation enters the
fiscal year 2020 budget cycle, the Conservancy acknowledges the need
for fiscal restraint. However, the Conservancy also recognizes the
critical role that oceans and coasts play in the lives of millions of
Americans and in our Nation's economy. Each year the U.S. ocean and
coastal economy contributes $359 billion to the Nation's GDP and
supports 3 million jobs. NOAA's funding keeps this ocean and coastal
economic engine running. It not only helps NOAA catalyze local and
regional action, but also reduces risk and saves money based on the
tangible economic and societal benefits that coastal natural resources
provide.
While the President's fiscal year 2020 Budget once again called for
unwarranted cuts to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the
National Ocean Service including the proposed elimination of ``grants
and programs supporting coastal and marine management, research, and
education including Sea Grant,'' the Conservancy was encouraged by
Congress' fiscal year 2019 omnibus funding levels to maintain and, in
some cases, provide modest increases to these and other critical NOAA
programs. Over the years and across many sites, NOAA has been an
invaluable partner to the Conservancy. NOAA programs provide practical,
community-oriented approaches to restoration, resource management, and
conservation that align naturally with the Conservancy's mission. NOAA
has made important strides in addressing key challenges, but much more
remains to be done. We believe that the NOAA budget levels proposed by
the Conservancy represent a prudent investment in our country's future
and ask your support for the requests detailed below.
national marine fisheries service
Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Programs and Services.--The
Conservancy supports at least $155.807 million. The Conservancy
requests an increase of $8.2 million from fiscal year 2019 to support
two important grant programs--National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's
Electronic Monitoring and Reporting grants (+$3.5 million) and NOAA's
Fisheries Information System program (+$5.2 million)--that are helping
fishermen, fishing councils and NOAA modernize outdated data systems.
Good information about the status of fish stocks is essential for
effective management. Systems for collecting fishery data tend to be
paper-based, slow, expensive, and prone to errors; they are long
overdue for modernization. By supporting a modest increase in funding
for these programs, Congress can expand the use of electronic
monitoring and reporting into more commercial and recreational
fisheries across the Nation. Also key is improving our understanding of
the ecological and economic connections between fisheries and nearshore
habitats. Funding for ecosystem-based solutions for fisheries
management will provide tools and information to better target
fisheries habitat restoration efforts.
Habitat Conservation and Restoration.--The Conservancy supports at
least $56.384 million, consistent with fiscal year 2019 funding.
Coastal wetlands and nearshore waters produce the fish and shellfish
that feed America. The health of these places is essential to the
economic and social well-being of those who live, work, and recreate in
coastal communities. NOAA and the Conservancy have partnered on over
150 habitat restoration projects across the U.S. Through the Community-
based Restoration Program, that the administration proposes to
eliminate, and the Habitat Blueprint Initiative, the Conservancy works
closely with NOAA to restore the health of degraded habitats in places
and ways that benefit not just local marine life, but communities and
coastal economies. NOAA funding for coastal habitat restoration
supports on average 15 jobs per million dollars spent and up to 30 jobs
per million dollars spent on labor intensive restoration projects.\1\
The several grants managed by this program are awarded on a competitive
basis and typically leverage the resources and capacity of multiple
partners. This work enhances our understanding of the connections
between fisheries productivity and habitat, measures the effectiveness
of conservation and restoration activities, and applies those lessons
to improve future efforts. This funding provides for NOAA's
consultations on and implementation of Essential Fish Habitat at the
enhanced level Congress provided in fiscal year 2019 and not the
reduction proposed by the administration. The Regional Fishery
Management Councils address fishing impacts on these areas, and NOAA
must have sufficient capacity to provide technical assistance to the
Councils and to work with Federal agencies to avoid, minimize, and
mitigate the impacts on these important fishery habitats.
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\1\ Samonte et al. 2017. Socioeconomic Benefits of Habitat
Restoration. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-OHC-1. http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/
pdf/TM-OHC-1.pdf.
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Fisheries Management Programs and Services.--The Conservancy
supports the appropriation of at least $121.116 million, consistent
with fiscal year 2019 funding. With a $214 billion dollar fisheries and
seafood sector, fishermen rely on management services and information
from NOAA to make the most informed decisions on where, how, and when
to fish. NOAA Fisheries has made important strides in addressing these
challenges and strengthening fisheries management, and support for
these efforts is necessary to recover fish stocks so that they provide
food and jobs now and in the future. It is critical that funding be
provided to reduce destructive fishing practices, restore coastal
habitats, and support the efforts of fishermen and fishing communities
and do so in a collaborative way. Funding for work already begun to
improve the management of electronic monitoring and reporting must be
maintained. Recent legislation and administrative action to combat
illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries show great promise
in leveling the playing field for legal fishermen. Funding provided
will enable NOAA to take the next steps on traceability of seafood.
Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments.--The
Conservancy supports at least $168.086 million, consistent with fiscal
year 2019 funding. Limited or poor-quality information on the status of
fishery stocks undermines the effectiveness of fishery management and
can erode community support for conservation measures. Accurate and
timely stock assessments are essential for the sound management of
fisheries and the sustainability of fishing resources. The funding
proposed will help the agency prioritize assessments, determine what
level of assessments are needed and where to appropriately incorporate
ecosystem linkages--such as ocean conditions, habitat, multispecies
assemblages, and socioeconomic factors. The Conservancy does not
support the Administration's proposed reduction for cooperative
research efforts with fishermen to directly engage them in the
collection of data that drives management.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF).--The Conservancy
supports at least $70 million, an increase of $5 million from fiscal
year 2019 funding and the level provided in the Senate's fiscal year
2019 reported bill. This funding level is also supported by five
western Governors who recently sent a letter to Congress justifying
this request. PCSRF is the most critical Federal program addressing
major threats to Pacific salmon so that these fish can continue to
sustain culture, economies, recreation, and ecosystem health. PCSRF
funding is tailored for each State, competitively awarded based on
merit, and has funded hundreds of successful, on-the-ground salmon
conservation efforts. PCSRF invests in cooperative efforts to conserve
species under NOAA's jurisdiction, and projects are matched at a 3:1
ratio (Federal: non-Federal). The PCSRF has catalyzed thousands of
partnerships among Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, and
conservation, business, and community organizations.
Protected Resources Science and Management.--The Conservancy
supports at least $196.848 million, consistent with fiscal year 2019
funding. Competitive grants to States and Tribes support conservation
actions that contribute to recovery or have direct conservation
benefits for listed species, recently de-listed species, and candidate
species that reside within the States. Maintaining level funding for
Species Recovery Grants would allow the agency to strengthen and expand
partnerships to address the growing number of listed species and allow
for larger, ecosystem-level scale recovery efforts. The Conservancy
works with State agency partners to restore endangered species and
monitor the results of these efforts. Additional listed species and
emerging challenges to recovery have increased the number and
complexity of NOAA's consultation and permitting requirements. Funding
is needed to aid NOAA's ability to complete these requirements in a
timely and predictable manner. NOAA's cooperative efforts with States,
Tribes, and other partners such as the Conservancy, help to improve our
understanding of and ability to protect listed salmon and the habitats
that sustain them. Maintaining the Pacific and Atlantic salmon base
funding, instead of implementing the administration's proposed
reduction, will allow NOAA to enhance recovery efforts including
monitoring, fish passages, hatchery operations, and stakeholder
engagement.
national ocean service
Coastal Zone Management and Services.--The Conservancy supports at
least $48.039 million, consistent with the administration's fiscal year
2020 request. This is an increase to the amount provided by Congress in
fiscal year 2019 to fund the regional data portals and an adjustment to
base. These data portals make accessible a wide array of Federal ocean
data critical to ocean users and conservation efforts. NOAA's research
and monitoring of coastal and marine systems provide data and decision-
support tools that inform the safe operations of industry, prioritize
habitats for restoration, and advance science-based management
decisions. Improving our ability to incorporate natural infrastructure
into coastal protection efforts before and after storms can help
communities achieve multiple benefits such as improving fisheries
productivity and coastal water quality. Additionally, the Conservancy
has worked with NOAA through the Digital Coast partnership to develop
decision support tools and techniques that help communities understand
and reduce risk and build resilience. Sharing this work across Federal,
State, and Tribal agencies, industry, and with non-governmental
organizations can increase our collective ability to understand and
incorporate complex coastal economic, social, and ecological needs into
decisionmaking.
Coastal Management Grants.--The Conservancy supports at least $75.5
million for Coastal Zone Management Grants, consistent with fiscal year
2019 funding. Our Nation's coastal areas are vital to our economy and
our way of life. The narrow area along our coasts is home to
approximately 163 million people and coastal economies contribute over
45 percent of our gross domestic product. The Conservancy collaborates
with State coastal programs around the country to meet multiple goals
for coastal communities including economic development, enhancement of
public access and recreation, and conservation of coastal resources. To
advance these goals, the Conservancy supports at least an additional
$30 million in Title IX funds for the competitively National Coastal
Resilience Fund, consistent with the fiscal year 2019 level. The
National Coastal Resilience Fund has provided the resources and tools
to build coastal resilience to avoid costly Federal disaster assistance
and sustain healthy fisheries, maintain robust tourism opportunities,
provide for increased shipping demands, and support other coastal
industries. Coastal communities have clearly shown that they are ready
to match and leverage this funding to take proactive measures to
protect their way of life.
Coral Reef Conservation Program.--The Conservancy supports at least
$27.6 million, consistent with fiscal year 2019 funding. The
administration's proposed reduction to the program is unwarranted given
that the decline of coral reefs continues to have significant social,
economic, and ecological impacts on people and communities in the
United States and around the world. The Conservancy works with NOAA's
Coral Reef Conservation Program under a competitively awarded, multi-
year cooperative agreement to address the top threats to coral reef
ecosystems: changing ocean conditions, overfishing, and land-based
sources of pollution. Together, we develop place-based strategies,
measure the effectiveness of management efforts, and build capacity
among reef managers globally.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System.--The Conservancy
supports at least $27 million, consistent with fiscal year 2019 funding
and opposes the administration's proposed elimination of the program.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) partners with
States and territories to ensure long-term education, stewardship, and
research on estuarine habitats. Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific, Caribbean and
Great Lakes reserves advance knowledge and stewardship of estuaries and
serve as a scientific foundation for coastal management decisions. By
using local management needs to help shape research, the NERRS aim to
fill critical gaps. Incorporating the results of this research into
training programs and through public engagement, the NERRS make science
actionable for communities.
Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas.--The Conservancy supports
at least $55.5 million, consistent with fiscal year 2019 funding.
National marine sanctuaries support economic growth and hundreds of
coastal businesses in sanctuary communities, preserve vibrant
underwater and maritime treasures for Americans to enjoy, and provide
critical public access for over 42 million visitors each year. Through
a transparent, inclusive approach, the marine sanctuaries provide for
the conservation of our natural and cultural marine resources while
balancing multiple uses and diverse stakeholder needs.
Thank you for this opportunity to share The Nature Conservancy's
priorities. Please contact me if you have questions or would like
additional information.
[This statement was submitted by Sarah Murdock, Director of
Resilience and Water Policy.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Nez Perce Tribe
The Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe) appreciates the opportunity to provide
written testimony to the Committee as it evaluates and prioritizes
fiscal year 2020 appropriations for the Department of Commerce and the
Department of Justice. This testimony addresses spending allocations
for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and Salmon Management
Activities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), and funding or set-asides for the grants provided to Tribes
within the Department of Justice (DOJ).
As detailed below, for fiscal year 2020, the Tribe recommends both
preservation of the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund--which has
again been proposed to be eliminated--and funding for the Pacific
Salmon Recovery Fund at $70 million but no less than $65 million;
funding for Salmon Management Activities at $122.5 million; full
funding for programs authorized under the Tribal Law and Order Act;
continuation of the $37.5 million for assistance to Indian tribes
enacted in fiscal year 2019 through the Office of Justice Programs
(OJP), with flexibility in program funding, or in the alternative the 7
percent tribal set-aside proposed by the Administration in the fiscal
year 2020 budget request; maintaining the tribal set-aside of 5 percent
out of Crime Victims Fund distributions; and keeping tribal funding
under the Community Oriented Policing Services program at $30 million
or greater.
The Nez Perce Tribe is a federally-recognized Indian Tribe with
treaty-reserved fishing, hunting, gathering, and pasturing rights in
the Snake River Basin and Columbia River Basin. In its 1855 Treaty, the
Tribe reserved, and the United States secured, ``the right of taking
fish at all usual and accustomed places in common with the citizens of
the Territory; and of erecting temporary buildings for curing, together
with the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and
pasturing their horses and cattle upon open and unclaimed land.'' \1\
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\1\ Treaty with the Nez Perces, June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 957. The
Treaty with the Nez Perces, June 9, 1863, 14 Stat 647, preserved the
off-reservation rights that the Tribe reserved in its 1855 Treaty.
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It is the Tribe's desire that all species and populations of
anadromous and resident fish and their habitats be healthy and
harvestable throughout the Tribe's usual and accustomed fishing places.
The Tribe has long had an interest, and played an active role, in
restoring anadromous and resident fish runs-including fall and spring
Chinook, steelhead, sockeye, lamprey, bull trout, and white sturgeon-
throughout all of the areas where the Tribe reserved treaty fishing
rights. The Tribe is involved in these efforts to protect
implementation of treaty rights, to restore species and conditions
consistent with the Treaty, and to protect the long-term productivity
of their natural resources.
The Tribe's Department of Fisheries Resources Management (DFRM) is
one of the largest and most successful tribal fisheries programs in the
United States,\2\ with offices located at Lapwai, Sweetwater, Orofino,
McCall, Powell, and Grangeville, Idaho, as well as Joseph, Oregon. The
DFRM has an annual operating budget of over $22 million and employs 190
tribal and non-tribal employees, 150 of whom are full-time.
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\2\ The Nez Perce Tribe's DFRM received the 2015 Honoring Nations
award with High Honors from The Harvard Project on American Indian
Economic Development.
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The DFRM manages its own salmon fish hatchery at Cherrylane, Idaho,
as well as 10 acclimation sites in Idaho and Oregon. In addition, the
DFRM manages Kooskia National Fish Hatchery and co-manages Dworshak
National Fish Hatchery. The DFRM also coordinates with the Idaho
Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on
production from other salmon and steelhead hatcheries throughout Idaho.
The Tribe is committed to this work and requests that the United States
properly fund the programs that are an instrumental part of the overall
work on fish recovery.
pacific coastal salmon recovery fund
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) was established by
Congress in fiscal year 2000 to protect, restore, and conserve Pacific
salmonids and their habitats. The congressionally- authorized
activities that were funded under the PCSRF program maintain
populations necessary for exercise of tribal treaty fishing rights or
native subsistence fishing. Over $1.2 billion has been appropriated for
PCSRF since 2000. With this funding, States and Tribes have leveraged
additional resources to collectively implement 13,200 projects to
conserve West Coast salmon.\3\ The Tribe requests PCSRF be funded at
least at the fiscal year 2019 level of $65 million for fiscal year 2020
but ideally requests it be funded at $70 million to support on the
ground restoration actions.
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\3\ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Budget
Estimates fiscal year 2019, page NMFS-65
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PCSRF has been used by the Tribe to restore coho (silver) salmon to
the Tribe's reservation in the Clearwater River, a distance of 500
miles from the ocean. Coho were extirpated from the Clearwater River
over 40 years ago and most of these fish returned only as far as the
lower Columbia River. Through the PCSRF (and Mitchell Act funds) the
Tribe is able to rear and release almost one million coho into the
Clearwater River, restoring their presence in the Snake River Basin.
The Tribe views these returns as a tremendous success with counts of
coho numbering more than 18,000 in 2014.
In 2017, the Tribe worked with Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
to also have the first release of coho in the Lostine River, a
tributary of the Grande Ronde River. After decades of extirpation,
these fish are being restored to some of the best habitat in the
Columbia River Basin. Continued funding for the operation of these
hatchery supplementation efforts is needed to maintain the populations
of most species of salmon and steelhead in this ``breadbasket'' of
salmon habitat, located upstream of eight Columbia River dams.
salmon management activities
The Mitchell Act provides for the conservation of the fishery
resources of the Columbia River and is administered by NOAA's National
Marine Fisheries Service. Funding for the Mitchell Act component of
NOAA Fisheries supports the operations and maintenance of Columbia
River hatcheries through grants and contracts to the States of
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, to mitigate the loss of salmon on the Columbia and Snake
Rivers. The level for Salmon Management Activities in the final fiscal
year 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act was $37 million, an increase
over the $35.5 million enacted in both fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year
2018. Of the total $37 million, up to $1.5 million in fiscal year 2019
funding is to implement the newly-renewed Pacific Salmon Treaty
Agreement. The Tribe would respectfully request that $122.5 million be
appropriated in fiscal year 2020 for Salmon Management Activities. This
significant increase is directly tied with implementation needs of the
Pacific Salmon Treaty. Of this amount, it is recommended that $26.6
million be allocated for Mitchell Act Programs to implement reforms
called for in the ``Conservation of Columbia Basin Fish'' and the
Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion, of which $6.7
million (or 25 percent of enacted) is directed to the Tribes to enhance
natural stock recovery programs. The remaining $95.9 million would be
allocated for the Pacific Salmon Treaty-of which $42.3 million is
annual operations for the implementation the 2019-2028 Agreement, and
$53.6 million is one-time funding for specific projects to support the
implementation of the 2019-2028 Agreement.
The importance of this funding cannot be overstated as the
comprehensive, geographic nature of its application in the Pacific
Northwest provides for an integrated infrastructure for fish
management. In addition, these funds allow for fish to be grown at
other facilities that are used at Nez Perce Tribal production
facilities. Other regional agencies also use the funds to grow fish
that enhance treaty fishing opportunities for Nez Perce Tribal members
on the Columbia River.
department of justice tribal assistance grant funding
Providing law and order is one of the fundamental requirements of
any functioning government. However, Tribes are limited in the
resources available to commit to these programs as the United States
has historically underfunded such programs in Indian Country. Tribes
rely on the grant programs with the Department of Justice to help grow
the capacity of tribal law and order systems.
In order to provide law enforcement, victims services, and tribal
justice to Indian and non-Indian residents on the reservation, the
Tribe has relied on programs such as the Coordinated Tribal Assistance
Solicitation grants program, the Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness
Court program, the Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program, the
Tribal Justice Systems Infrastructure Program, Violence Against Women
Act programs, the Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Program, and the Children's Justice Act Partnership program. These
programs need to continue to be funded.
As stated above, the Tribe recommends full funding for programs
authorized under the Tribal Law and Order Act. The Tribe also
recommends either continuation of the $37.5 million for ``assistance to
Indian Tribes'' enacted in fiscal year 2019 under the State and Local
Law Enforcement Assistance account in the Office of Justice Programs
grants, or the President's requested 7 percent tribal set-aside of OJP
funds. There needs to be flexibility provided in program funding so
that the funding is not narrowly allocated to Tribes solely through
competitive grant programs.
The Tribe strongly supports the 5 percent from the Crime Victims
Fund for grants to Indian Tribes to improve services for victims of
crime as provided in section 510 of the final Consolidated
Appropriations Act. This tribal set-aside will provide some $168
million to the Office for Victims of Crime for Tribes.
Finally, the Tribe urges this subcommittee to fund the Tribal
Resources Grant Program under Community Oriented Policing Services
programs at $30 million, an increase of $3 million over fiscal year
2019, and to maintain a level of $3 million for the Tribal Access
Program.
______
Prepared Statement of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
national oceanic & atmospheric administration
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Honorable Members of
the subcommittee, my name is Lorraine Loomis and I am the Chair of the
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC). The NWIFC is comprised
of the 20 Tribes that are party to United States v. Washington, which
upheld the Tribes' treaty-reserved right to harvest and manage various
natural resources on and off-reservation, including salmon and
shellfish. On behalf of the NWIFC, we provide testimony for the record
on the natural resources and fishery management program funding
requests for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) fiscal year 2020
appropriations. These programs support the management of salmon
fisheries, which contribute to a robust natural resource-based economy
and the continued exercise of Tribal treaty rights to fish.
summary of fiscal year 2020 appropriations requests
--$70.0 million for NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
--$42.3 million for NOAA Pacific Salmon Treaty operational costs,
plus $57.1 million in one-time implementation costs
--$25.9 million for NOAA Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs
--$20.0 million for NOAA Fisheries Disaster Assistance Program
--$5.0 million for NOAA Hatchery Genetic Management Plans
The member Tribes of the NWIFC ceded much of the land that is now
western Washington in exchange for reserving the continued right to
harvest and manage various natural resources including salmon and
shellfish. Salmon are, and have always been, the foundation of Tribal
cultures, traditions and economies in western Washington. To ensure
that Tribal treaty rights and lifeways are protected and not rendered
meaningless, it is essential that the Federal Government provide
support to all aspects of salmon management including harvest planning
and implementation (e.g. Pacific Salmon Treaty), hatchery production,
(e.g. Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs and Hatchery Genetic Management
Plans) and habitat protection and restoration (e.g. Pacific Coastal
Salmon Recovery Fund).
justification of requests
--Provide $70.0 million for NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
(PCSRF)
We respectfully request $70.0 million for PCSRF, an increase of
$5.0 million over the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. It is worth
noting that this request is a significant departure from the PCSRF peak
level of $110.0 million in fiscal year 2002 or subsequent years in
which budget authority was maintained upwards of $80.0 million through
fiscal year 2011. We ultimately would like to see PCSRF funding fully
restored to fiscal year 2002 levels, but we recognize that budget
conditions may necessitate an incremental increase in the short term.
Nevertheless, we continue to support the original congressional intent
of these funds that would enable the Federal Government to fulfill its
obligations to salmon recovery and the treaty fishing rights of the
Tribes.
The PCSRF is a multi-State, multi-Tribe program established by
Congress in fiscal year 2000 with a primary goal to help recover salmon
throughout the Pacific coast region. Through PCSRF, Tribes work
collaboratively to help protect and restore salmon habitat in an effort
to increase natural salmon productivity. To accomplish this, Tribes
implement scientifically-based salmon recovery plans developed for each
watershed in concert with Federal, State, and local partners. Tribes
also participate in sustainable harvest management activities such as
monitoring of fish abundance, which is then used to forecast adult
returns and subsequently develop annual harvest rates that achieve
conservation objectives and provide for Tribal and non-Tribal harvest
opportunities. Since its inception, PCSRF has been the primary salmon
recovery response. This has resulted in over 1.1 million acres of
spawning and rearing habitat restored and protected, and re-
establishing salmon access to 11,980 miles of previously inaccessible
streams in our region.
--Provide $42.3 million for operational costs, plus $57.1 million in
one-time implementation costs for national commitments in the
newly renegotiated Pacific Salmon Treaty agreement (within
Salmon Management Activities and Regional Councils and
Fisheries Commissions)
We support the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) U.S. Section's
request of $42.3 million for operational costs, plus $57.1 million in
one-time implementation costs for the national commitments in the newly
renegotiated Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) agreement. The PST is
renegotiated every decade between the United States and Canada. The new
international agreement brings additional Federal obligations to ensure
compliance with the treaty. The cost of the commitments created by the
treaty are substantially greater than the funding provided in the NMFS
budget in past years.
Adult salmon returning to most western Washington streams migrate
through U.S. and Canadian waters and are harvested by fishers from both
countries. For years, there were no restrictions on the interception of
returning salmon by fishers of neighboring countries. After many years
of negotiations, in 1985 the U.S. and Canada agreed to cooperate on the
management, research and enhancement of Pacific salmon stocks of mutual
concern by developing and ratifying the PST. The PSC was created to
implement the PST and is responsible for developing management
recommendations and assessing each country's compliance with the
treaty.
Within our collective request to support the PSC and implement the
PST, we specifically request the following funding within the Salmon
Management Activities account. Of the $57.1 million in one-time
implementation funding, $53.6 million is requested from the Department
of Commerce. This includes $31.2 million for Puget Sound critical stock
habitat restoration (identified in the draft biological opinion
associated with implementation of the PST) to provide critical risk
reduction measures for several Chinook salmon runs. Also, $8.7 million
is requested to produce sound science used for Chinook salmon
management, which includes $2.5 million for the Coded Wire Tag (CWT)
Program and $3.5 million to improve catch and escapement estimates.
Finally, $5.39 million is requested for the Puget Sound Critical Stock
Augmentation Program and $5.6 million is requested to increase prey
availability for ESA-listed killer whale.
The Puget Sound Critical Stock Augmentation Program is required for
effective implementation of the PST. This program provides funding for
operation and maintenance costs for hatchery augmentation programs.
These hatchery efforts were initiated in connection with the 2008
agreements and will be enhanced through the new agreement, because the
conservation needs of these populations could not be met by harvest
restrictions alone.
The funding and implementation of the CWT Program is also a U.S.
obligation under the PST. The CWT Program produces data that is widely
used by State, Federal and Tribal fisheries managers to evaluate
hatchery contributions to catch, smolt to adult survival rates, spawner
abundance on spawning grounds, differential in-hatchery treatments, and
other important information that supports fisheries management and
research. Funding for the coast-wide CWT Program supports
implementation, maintenance and efficiency improvements.
--Provide $25.9 million for NOAA Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs
(within Salmon Management Activities)
We respectfully request $25.9 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery
Programs. The fiscal year 2018 appropriations provided a total of $20.2
million. The request for an additional $5.7 million in Mitchell Act
funds above the fiscal year 2018 funding level is to ensure that
mitigation hatcheries operate at full production level to meet Federal
obligations. This program is funded through the Salmon Management
Activities account.
Mitchell Act hatchery production is intended to mitigate for fish
and habitat loss caused by the Federal hydropower dam system on the
Columbia River. Funding for these programs supports the operation and
maintenance of hatcheries that release between 50 and 60 million
juvenile salmon and steelhead in Oregon and Washington. These programs
provide fish production for Tribal treaty and non-Tribal commercial and
recreational fisheries in the Columbia River, and also contribute to
ocean fisheries from Northern California to Southeast Alaska.
Unfortunately, overall production from these hatcheries has been
reduced from more than 110 million to fewer than 60 million fish due to
inadequate funding.
Adequate funding for Mitchell Act hatcheries is of particular
importance to us because it supports salmon production for Tribal
treaty harvest along the Washington coast. Additionally, adequate
funding to ensure full production from the Mitchell Act hatcheries
dampens the impact of Canadian and Alaskan ocean fisheries on
Washington fisheries under the terms of the PST.
--Provide $20.0 million for NOAA Fisheries Disaster Assistance
Program
We respectfully request $20.0 million for the Fishery Disaster
Assistance Program, an increase of $5.0 million above the fiscal year
2019 enacted level. Numerous salmon fisheries disasters have adversely
impacted Washington Tribes and the financial impact from these
disasters is severe.
Unforeseen natural and manmade disasters can have grave and
unexpected impacts on Tribal treaty fishing and the livelihoods of
Tribal members who are economically dependent upon these fisheries.
Because of the seasonal nature of fishing, a single disaster can have
significant impacts on annual revenues needed to maintain boats and
gear, forcing fishers to drop out of the sector, and therefore
sometimes lead to diminished fishing fleets. An ongoing Fisheries
Disaster Assistance Program is a much-needed stop gap measure to
prevent the collapse of this important economic sector during difficult
times. We therefore, respectfully request ongoing appropriations to
maintain and enhance the Fisheries Disaster Assistance Program, which
is needed to support a resilient national fishing fleet.
--Provide $5.0 million for NOAA Hatchery Genetic Management Plans
(within Pacific Salmon)
We respectfully request $5.0 million to provide increased funding
to expedite NMFS's review and approval of the backlog of western
Washington Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) and implement
those plans that are now complete. Review and approval of HGMPs is
necessary to provide hatcheries with ESA coverage. The fiscal year 2019
appropriations provided $65.0 million for the Pacific Salmon account,
which funds HGMP review. However, the fiscal year 2019 report language
was silent regarding funding for NMFS' expedited review of HGMPs. NMFS'
fiscal year 2020 proposed budget requests a decrease of $2.0 million
for HGMP review, despite reported progress with new funding, still
facing a backlog of plans and rising HGMP implementation needs.
NMFS uses the information provided by HGMPs to evaluate a
hatchery's impacts on salmon and steelhead listed under the ESA. With
the lack of improvement in salmon stocks, hatchery operations have
become even more important to achieving recovery goals and maintenance
of salmon fisheries. However, the lack of improvement in natural origin
salmon has also resulted in scrutinizing hatcheries for their potential
genetic impacts on natural spawning populations. This has resulted in
increasingly specific performance standards and management expectations
included in Tribes' HGMPs. Tribes need help addressing the escalating
costs of hatchery management associated with the monitoring and
adaptive management practices called for by HGMPs.
conclusion
The treaties between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, as
well as the treaty-reserved rights to harvest, manage and consume fish
and shellfish, are the ``supreme law of the land'' under the U.S.
Constitution (Article VI). It is therefore, critically important for
Congress and the Federal Government to provide continued support in
upholding the treaty obligations and carrying out its trust
responsibilities. An important component of these obligations is to
fully fund the aforementioned sustainable salmon fisheries management
programs that provide for improved harvest planning, hatchery
production and habitat management. We respectfully urge you to continue
to support our efforts to protect and restore our treaty-reserved
rights and natural resources that in turn will provide for thriving
economies for both Indian and non-Indian communities alike. Thank you.
[This statement was submitted by Lorraine Loomis, Chair.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Ocean Conservancy
national oceanic and atmospheric administration
Thank you for this opportunity to provide Ocean Conservancy's
recommendations for fiscal year 2020 funding for NOAA. Ocean
Conservancy has worked for over 40 years to address threats to the
ocean through science-based, practical policies that protect our ocean
and improve our lives. To learn more about Ocean Conservancy's support
for a strong ocean budget at NOAA, see www.TheMoreYouNOAA.org.
We greatly appreciate the subcommittee's efforts to ensure a
positive outcome for NOAA in the fiscal year 2019 omnibus, which made
important investments in NOAA ocean programs, including Integrated
Ocean Acidification, Marine Debris and Regional Ocean Data and
Partnerships.
We reject the Trump administration's proposed budget for NOAA in
fiscal year 2020, which would cut nearly $1 billion in funding and
wholly eliminate vital ocean and coastal programs. As described in this
testimony, we support funding for NOAA ocean programs at or above
fiscal year 2019 funding levels to maintain current effort and provide
targeted increases as appropriate.
NOAA's mission to understand, protect, restore, and manage our
ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes is vitally important to sustain these
resources and our economy. The U.S. ocean and coastal economy
contributes $352 billion annually to the Nation's GDP and supports 3
million jobs. There is a good reason that NOAA is in the Department of
Commerce, and adequate funding is vital to support a healthy and
resilient ocean that can maintain and grow our coastal economies and
communities. For example, our Nation's fisheries and seafood sector
generates $212 billion in sales impacts to the U.S. economy and
fishermen rely on information from NOAA to make the most informed
decisions on where to fish, how to fish and when to fish. Coastal
wetland buffer zones in the U.S. are estimated to provide economically
important storm protection benefits, saving New Jersey $625 million in
direct property damage during Superstorm Sandy. NOAA works to build
resilient coasts that are more storm-ready and prepared for threats
like sea level rise and ocean acidification.
Much of the U.S. ocean is under Federal jurisdiction, and yet many
of NOAA's most successful programs focus on pushing resources and
decisionmaking power out to regions, States and frontline communities.
NOAA is providing leverage for hardworking people on the coast and on
the water who are fighting for a stronger economy and a healthier
ocean, through region-by-region fishery management, region-specific
program, extramural funding that supports State agencies and
universities, place-based conservation in our estuaries and oceans and
more.
As you craft the fiscal year 20 spending bills, we ask that you
also consider the balance between NOAA's oceanic and atmospheric
missions, and the nexus between the two. Americans should not have to
choose between weather forecasts and ocean and coastal resources like
coral reefs and marine mammals. We need both. NOAA's ocean programs
support many other Federal agencies and missions that will also suffer
if NOAA funding is cut. For example, ocean observations and monitoring
provide critical information for severe storm tracking and weather
forecasting. Ocean programs also facilitate homeland security and
national defense functions, including U.S. Navy operations and U.S.
Coast Guard search and rescue missions.
We continue to raise the alarm about this administration's
proposals to wholly eliminate vital NOAA programs like Coastal Zone
Management Grants, Sea Grant, National Centers for Coastal and Ocean
Science, and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, among
others. We also offer additional testimony and recommend funding
increases for the following NOAA programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2019 Fiscal Year 2020
Account, Program or Activity Enacted Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations Research and
Facilities
National Ocean Service
Coastal Science, Assessment, $7.5 m............ $10 m
Response and Restoration:
Marine Debris.
Coastal Zone Management $75.5 m........... Fiscal year 19 or
Grants. above
Coastal Zone Management and $1.5 m (IOOS)..... $10 m
Services--Regional Ocean
Data Portals.
National Marine Fisheries
Service
Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, $118.348 m........ Fiscal year 19 or
& Other Species. above
Fisheries Data Collections, $168.086 m........ Fiscal year 19 or
Surveys and Assessments. above
Regional Councils and .................. $250,000
Fisheries Commissions--PFMC
Climate and Communities
Initiatives.
Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research
Integrated Ocean $12 m............. $21.775 m
Acidification.
Office of Marine and Aviation
Operations
Marine Operations & $190.670 m........ Fiscal year 19 or
Maintenance. above
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine Debris--$10 million
Marine debris, particularly plastic waste pollution, is one of the
most widespread pollution problems threatening the world's oceans and
waterways. An estimated 150 million metric tons of plastic waste are in
the ocean today, and every year an estimated 8 million metric tons more
are being added. With oil prices at an all-time low, coupled with
growing population levels and economic prosperity, plastic production
and consumption are predicted to double over the coming decade. Without
immediate intervention, 250 million metric tons of plastic waste could
be in the ocean in fewer than 10 years. Marine debris has serious
effects on the marine environment and the economy. It causes impacts on
wildlife through entanglement, ingestion and ghost fishing and also
impacts marine transportation causing navigational hazards and vessel
damage.
Last year, Congress reauthorized the program via the Save Our Seas
Act of 2018. The SOS Act enjoyed broad bipartisan support in both
chambers, and the President signed it into law in an Oval Office
ceremony. While reauthorized at the traditional level of $10 million,
the program received only $7.5 million in fiscal year 2019. Given the
magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need for the NOAA Marine
Debris Program to do more to counter the growing threat to ocean
health. Fundamental knowledge gaps exist in four critical areas: the
sources of plastic waste in the ocean, how the waste distributes within
the marine environment, the fates of those materials, as well as their
impacts. More scientific research into these key areas will support
data-driven policy solutions to prevent plastic from entering the
environment and impacting ocean health. Additional funding will enable
NOAA MDP to support this additional research.
Coastal Zone Management Grants
These grants achieve multiple goals for coastal communities
including economic development, enhancement of public access and
recreation, and protection of coastal resources. The CZM program
provides Federal support for these State programs to ensure that as a
nation, all coastal States and territories can enable their coastal
communities to achieve both State and national priorities. This State-
Federal partnership also enables States to leverage Federal funds to
improve permitting processes, provide grants to communities, and ensure
Federal actions are consistent with State laws. Moreover, the CZMA
requires a dollar-for-dollar State match for almost all Federal
funding, with States matching over $59 million fiscal year 2016.
Regional Ocean Data Portals/Regional Ocean Partnerships--$10 Million
Regional Ocean Partnerships are regional organizations voluntarily
convened by the governors to address ocean and coastal issues of common
concern in the region. Regional Ocean Partnerships provide interagency
engagement with States, Tribes, localities, and Federal agencies to
collaborate on cross-jurisdictional ocean and coastal matters. These
partnerships also coordinate and engage ocean and coastal stakeholders,
including academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry. Some
regions have advanced State and regionally identified management
challenges by sharing and integrating Federal and non-Federal data to
support regional coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes priorities through
Regional Ocean Data Portals. Regional Ocean Data Portals are publicly
available online tools created and maintained by Regional Ocean
Partnerships to disseminate maps, data, and information with the
purpose to inform decisions and enhance entrepreneurial opportunity.
Ocean Data Portals are created with engagement from marine industries,
the ocean science and technology community, State, Tribal, and local
governments, and other ocean stakeholders. We greatly appreciated the
appropriation of $1.5M for fiscal year 2019, and we believe increased
Federal funding support is critical, largely because the funding is
split among nine regions. Appropriating $10 million would provide
sufficient funds for all nine regions to support State and regionally
identified ocean priorities.
Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles and Other Species
Because of the need to for capacity for Gulf of Mexico restoration
and the increasing impacts of climate change and other stressors on sea
turtles, we support continued funding at or above fiscal year 2019
funding levels, including for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue
Assistance Grant Program, which funds the first responders for sick or
dying marine animals.
Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments
We support funding for programs that implement the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Since the MSA was
enacted in 1976, NOAA has made great strides towards ending overfishing
and continued investments in these programs and our fishing communities
are needed. This budget line supports a host of activities critical to
MSA implementation, including resources for fisheries managers to
conduct stock assessments for priority fish stocks, collect catch data
from commercial and recreational fisheries, implement the requirement
for annual catch limits (ACLs), and ensure the successful recovery of
overfished populations.
We support funding for electronic monitoring and reporting for
nationwide efforts. In particular we support funding that goes to the
Gulf of Mexico region, where managers need electronic monitoring to
keep track of catch and prevent catch overages in the red snapper
fishery. Given the unique management challenges that exist in the Gulf
of Mexico, there is a significant need for additional funding.
Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions
We support funding for the operations and initiatives of the
Regional Fishery Management Councils. The Councils were established by
the MSA to prepare management plans aimed at preventing and eliminating
overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks for the Nation's
fisheries. As the Councils strive to understand the impacts of climate
change on our oceans and fisheries, we are seeing growing needs from
fishery managers, scientists, and industry to address impacts and
understand their causes. We additionally support $250,000 for the PFMC
to update and implement their ecosystem management plans and Climate
and Communities Initiative to support climate-ready fisheries and
ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Integrated Ocean Acidification--$21.775 million
The Integrated Ocean Acidification line item funds NOAA's ocean
acidification program (OAP), which was established and mandated by the
Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act of
2009. Under FOARAM, OAP is directed to ``provide grants for critical
research projects that explore the effects of ocean acidification on
ecosystems and the socioeconomic impacts of increased ocean
acidification,'' establish long-term monitoring, identify adaptation
strategies, and conduct public outreach.
Ocean acidification (OA) is the rise in acidity of the earth's
ocean caused by uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere. This rising acidity
makes it harder for shell-forming species such as oysters and crabs to
grow, and fundamentally alters many other processes (e.g.,
reproduction, risk avoidance) necessary for healthy ecosystems and the
coastal industries that depend on them. Prior Federal investments in
OAP, such as FOARAM, have greatly expanded our knowledge of OA and its
risks to coastal communities and industries, but current funding levels
are not at the scale needed to understand this global problem and its
impacts. We request $21.775 million for this program.
Marine Operations and Maintenance
Marine Operations and Maintenance should be funded at or above the
fiscal year 2019 level. Days at sea funded by this line are
functionally tied to fishery stock assessments, and the two programs
must be viewed together.
[This statement was submitted by Jeff Watters, Director, Government
Relations.]
______
Prepared Statement of Organizations and Institutions in Support of the
Full Range of Earth Science Research, Observations, Infrastructure, and
Education Programs
nsf, nasa, and noaa
Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony from the
organizations and institutions listed is support of strong and balanced
funding for the full range of Earth science research, observations,
infrastructure, and education programs under the jurisdiction of this
subcommittee. This includes NSF's geoscience research, infrastructure,
education and training activities, NASA's Earth science and education
activities, and NOAA's research, observations, and education programs
related to the oceans, atmosphere, weather, climate, surveying/
navigation, and marine resources.
The ability to observe our planet--from the bottom of the ocean, to
the surface, on land, and from space in a continuous and comprehensive
fashion--and then to analyze the data and observations collected--is
vital for the long term health and national, economic, and
environmental well-being of our citizens and the world. The
environmental information that comes from this ability is used in
modeling, digital and on-line maps, daily weather forecasts, land-use
planning, transportation efficiency, and agricultural productivity,
making it central to our lives, and providing substantial contributions
to our economy, national security, and public safety.
This knowledge and information we rely on for our daily lives are
the result of a sustained commitment to both exploratory and applied
Earth science, and to what has become a sophisticated national and
international infrastructure of observing systems, scientific research,
and applications. A particular strength of the Earth science and
applications field is the extent to which curiosity-based science is
inextricably integrated with mission-driven and applications-oriented
science and societal benefits. Ongoing commitment to this inspirational
and practical science has returned benefits to society many times over,
and will continue to do so with further support.
Among the most intellectually and important revelations from the
past 60 years are those documenting the extent to which Earth is
changing, in multiple ways and for many reasons. Daily changes, such as
weather, were obvious to even the earliest humans, even if not
explainable. Longer-term changes, particularly those occurring on
global scales, are only now becoming understood and gaining public
recognition. Some of these changes are climate related, such as the El
Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but many are not. In addition to
climate, changes in air quality, water availability, agricultural soil
nutrients, and other Earth resources are being driven largely by human
actions. Successfully managing risks and identifying opportunities
associated with these changes require a clear understanding of both the
human-driven and the natural processes that underlie them.
A changing Earth is one we can never understand only from past
experience. Its evolving and emerging characteristics must be
continually explored through research, observation, data analysis, and
modeling. Our scientific curiosity must seek and reveal the new and
altered processes that will result from change, if we are to continue
applying our knowledge effectively for society's benefit. Decisions we
make this decade will be pivotal for predicting the potential for
future changes and for influencing whether and how those changes occur.
Embracing this need to understand a changing Earth, and building a
program to address it, is a major challenge for the coming decade and
beyond.
Meeting this and other challenges requires a sustained and
impactful investment by this subcommittee in our Earth science and
education enterprise via NSF, NASA, and NOAA.
The Earth Sciences and National Security.--In response to questions
for the record from the Senate Armed Services Committee in 2017, former
Secretary of Defense James Mattis said, ``. . . climate change is a
challenge that requires a broader, whole-of-government response. If
confirmed, I will ensure that the Department of Defense plays its
appropriate role within such a response by addressing national security
aspects.'' Changes in the climate pose direct threats, such as sea
level rise and increased storm surges that inundate coastal military
and civilian infrastructure. Dramatic changes in food, water, and
energy availability also increase the likelihood of instability and
state failure across the globe. The 2019 National Intelligence Strategy
pointed out that climate change should be expected to contribute to
straining the capacities of governments to deal with growing influxes
of migrants and refugees, intense economic or other resource scarcity,
or infectious disease outbreaks.
The Earth Sciences--Producing a Workforce for U.S. Industry.--The
geosciences research that NSF, NASA, and NOAA fund helps educate and
train the next generation of geoscientists. Using data provided by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI)
calculated a total of 311,768 geoscience jobs in 2016, and this number
is expected to increase by 11 percent by 2026 to a total of 344,704
jobs. Approximately 147,000 geoscientists are expected to retire by
2026, but over the next decade, only approximately 62,000 students will
be graduating with their bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in
the geosciences. According to AGI's Status of the Geoscience Workforce
2018, given minimal non-retirement attrition from the geoscience
workforce, there is expected to be a deficit of approximately 118,000
geoscientists by 2026.
Industry hiring of geoscience graduates fluctuates between sectors
over time, with the oil and gas sector and the Federal Government each
taking on roughly 30 percent of recent master's graduates who gained
employment in the geosciences in 2017, and the environmental services
sector hiring the largest share (31 percent) of recent bachelor's
graduates who stayed in the geosciences, according to the AGI's Status
of The Geoscience Workforce 2018. Other industries hiring geoscientists
include mining, construction, agriculture, transportation, and
information technology services, all of which contribute to our
national infrastructure. NSF, NASA, and NOAA support for the
geosciences contributes significantly to the education and training of
these individuals via programs in research, graduate and undergraduate
student support.
The Earth Sciences--Yielding Economic Benefits.--According to the
administration's interagency Subcommittee on Ocean Science and
Technology, optimizing sustainable use of our exclusive economic zone
and the high seas is vital to America's global economic leadership. In
2015, the U.S. ocean economy, which includes six economic sectors
dependent on the ocean, contributed more than $320 billion to the U.S.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 3.2 million jobs directly
dependent on these resources. These economic sectors include: living
resources, marine construction, offshore mineral extraction, tourism
and recreation, ship and boat building, and marine transportation. A
total of 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is employed in coastal
watersheds. In 2014, counties adjacent to the shore contributed 43
percent percent of the U.S. GDP; the offshore mineral industry
contributed over 170,000 jobs in 2013 and $122 billion, the majority of
which was from the oil and gas sector; approximately 88,000 square
miles of the Nation's coastal wetlands provide nursery areas for
commercially harvested fishery species and places of refuge for
migrating birds; in 2015, the commercial and recreational fishing
industry supported 1.6 million jobs and contributed $208 billion in
sales to the U.S. economy; and ocean measurements, observations and
forecasting generate about $7 billion in revenues annually. The U.S.
currently imports more than 90 percent of its seafood, leading to a $14
billion seafood trade deficit. The World Bank projects a nearly 50
percent increase in worldwide fish consumption between 2006 and 2030.
The Nation has an opportunity to meet this demand, ensure food
security, create new industries, and provide jobs by maximizing
sustainable wild and aquaculture harvest.
Much of the ocean is underexplored and offers great potential for
advancing science, technology, and our growing economy. Our resources
are central to the national economy and American quality of life, and
thus the challenge is to find the right balance between our present use
of ocean resources and a productive and healthy ocean for future
generations. Characterizing the primary uses of the marine environment
(including fisheries, aquaculture, transportation and shipping, energy,
national security, land values, mineral extraction, recreation, and
protected species habitats) and the goods and services, beneficiaries,
and market and non-market values attributable to those uses, is key to
understanding the ocean's potential. It will be through our continued
investment in Earth sciences and education that we will continue to
develop the knowledge, the technology, and the people that will lead to
informed decisions and actions that will help maximize the economic
potential of our oceans while doing so in a responsible and sustainable
manner.
The Earth Sciences and Public Safety.--The benefit of the
investment in public weather forecasts and warnings is substantial: the
estimated annualized benefit is about $31.5 billion, compared with the
$5.1 billion cost of generating the information. In 2018 natural
disasters cost the country $91 billion and came from 14 different
natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to winter
storms. We continue to experience extreme weather events in nearly
every region of the country: tornadoes in Oklahoma and Alabama, floods
in Nebraska and Louisiana, and droughts in Texas. According to the
National Academy of Sciences' report, When Weather Matters, the annual
impacts of adverse weather on the national highway system and roads are
staggering: 1.5 million weather-related crashes with 7,400 deaths, more
than 700,000 injuries, and $42 billion in economic losses, moreover
$4.2 billion is lost each year because of weather-related air traffic
delays. The death, destruction, and economic harm communities and
businesses experience from these and other weather events could be
further reduced with continued research and training in the
geosciences.
Technologies and observing systems developed to examine the
fundamental Earth structure have also provided data and enabled models
necessary for forecasting and estimating the impact resulting from
major earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
Understanding of disaster events enables business and government to
engage in informed risk management and mitigation and to develop
response strategies. When an event does occur, early warnings for
evacuation based on timely forecasts and characterization of these
disasters has the potential to save billions of dollars and countless
lives.
Concluding Thoughts.--We appreciate the difficult decisions
Congress must make within the constraints of the budget environment. We
believe that the future of this Nation is well served by a strong and
sustained investment in the full scope of our research enterprise--
particularly the Earth sciences and education programs sponsored by
NSF, NASA, and NOAA. This subcommittee has consistently been a strong
champion for the Nation's research enterprise and we hope you will be
able to maintain that high priority as you develop the fiscal year 2020
appropriations bill in the coming weeks. Thank you for the opportunity
to submit this statement.
supporting organizations and institutions
National Association of Marine Laboratories
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Consortium for Ocean Leadership
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Vaisala, Inc.
The Weather Company, an IBM Business
Quantum Spatial, Inc.
National Estuarine Research Reserve Association
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
University of Pittsburgh
The Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences,
University of South Carolina
Earth2Ocean, Inc.
Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Soil Science Society of America
UNAVCO
Department of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion
University
Sitka Sound Science Center
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Oregon
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology
Florida State University
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
The University of Texas at Austin
Research!America
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Grice Marine Laboratory, College of Charleston
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
University of New Hampshire
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii
at Manoa
University of California, Los Angeles
Severn Marine Technologies, LLC
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University
Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology
Jacobsen Pilot Service, Inc.
Geodynamics, LLC
Ocean Aero, Inc.
American Metrological Association
University of Washington
Penn State University
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and
Technology
University of California
Annis Water Resources Institute--Grand Valley State University
Michigan State University
University of Iowa
Florida Atlantic University--Geosciences Department
George Mason University
Council on Undergraduate Research
IOOS Association
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Boston University
GeoOptics
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Freshwater Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
East Carolina University, Integrated Coastal Programs & Coastal Studies
Institute
Louisiana State University
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science &
Technology
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington
College of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science
Oregon State University
Southeastern Universities Research Association
Michigan Technological University
Stony Brook University
University of Connecticut
Upton Environmental Inc. DBA Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service
The University of Guam Marine Laboratory
Great Lakes Boating Federation
American Geophysical Union
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, University of Georgia
Ocean Conservancy
Indian Brook Trout Farm Inc
AccuWeather, Inc.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Ocean Motion Technologies, Inc.
American Geosciences Institute
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Wisconsin System
Friday Harbor, University of Washington
Colorado School of Mines
Northern Illinois University
Cleantech San Diego
Riskpulse
Turner Designs, Inc.
Assure Controls, Inc.
UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute/Bodega Marine Laboratory
______
Prepared Statement of Organizations in Support of the STOP School
Violence Act Programs
u.s. department of justice--stop school violence act programs
Dear Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Shaheen:
As you consider fiscal year 2020 appropriations for the U.S.
Department of Justice (DOJ), we urge you to provide, at a minimum, the
fully authorized amounts for each of the DOJ school safety grant
programs under the STOP School Violence Act (Division S, Title V of
Public Law 115-141).
While Congress provided a total of $100 million authorized for
these programs in for fiscal year 19, the School Violence Prevention
Program (SVPP) administered by the Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) received a $25 million appropriation, short of
the fully authorized amount. Meanwhile the statute (34 U.S.C.
Sec. 10555) is clear that within the $100 million authorized for each
fiscal year from fiscal year 2019-2028, $33 million of this amount is
to be made available for the COPS program, and $67 million is to be
made available for the program administered by the Bureau of Justice
Assistance (BJA).
Fully funding SVPP is critical to providing the most flexibility to
school districts to meet their safety and security needs, which can
vary widely. A district may have greater unmet needs for the type of
assistance provided under the BJA program (violence prevention and
mental health training, threat assessment and anonymous reporting
programs) or SVPP (facility access control measures, emergency
communications, law enforcement notification systems, and other
protective measures), depending on the district.
Both grant initiatives support important elements of a balanced and
holistic approach to school safety and security, and each program
covers a different set of needs. For fiscal year 2018, the SVPP program
was only able to make grant awards supporting less than half of more
than 200 eligible applications, indicating the need for additional
resources to address legitimate requirements. Providing additional
funding for both programs in fiscal year 2020 would support districts
throughout the country as they seek to assess policies, procedures and
infrastructure in place and address local needs identified.
Representing stakeholders across the education and solutions
provider communities, we strongly urge you to (1) provide a total of
$125 million for STOP School Violence Act programs, a $25 million
increase over fiscal year 2019, and (2) ensure each program, including
SVPP, is provided with at least the full amount authorized and in the
ratio stipulated in the statute, as you consider fiscal year 2020
appropriations for DOJ.
Thank you for your consideration.
Organizations
21st Century School Fund (21CSF)
Door Safety and Security Foundation (DSSF)
DHI Door Security + Safety Professionals (DHI)
National Council on School Facilities (NCSF)
National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA)
National School Boards Association (NSBA)
Secure Schools Alliance (SSA)
Security Industry Association (SIA)
Secure Our Schools (SOS) Parkland
[This statement was submitted by Jake Parker, SIA.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Physical Science Education Policy Coalition
physical science education
Dear Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
subcommittee:
The Physical Science Education Policy Coalition (PSEPC) is a
diverse group of scientific non-profit organizations that works to
promote issues regarding all aspects of physical science education to
benefit both students and teachers.
--We urge you to once again to reject the White House's proposal to
eliminate NASA's Office of STEM Engagement and fund the office
consistent with the fiscal year 2019 enacted level of $110
million.
--We urge you to support the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Education & Human Resources (EHR).
--We also urge you to reject the White House's proposal to eliminate
NOAA's Office of Education and fund the office at the fiscal
year 2019 enacted level of $29 million.
nasa, office of stem engagement
NASA has an enormous reach in inspiring future scientists and
engineers that keep the Nation at the forefront of research and
exploration. NASA plays a pivotal role in inspiring and encouraging
young people to pursue STEM disciplines of study and careers; engaging
the broader public in NASA's mission; and strengthening NASA and the
Nation's workforce. Bolstering American science and innovation is
central to the administration's strategy for strengthening the economy
and increasing opportunities for Americans. The NASA Office of STEM
Engagement supports programs such as the National Space Grant College
and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) and the Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
The Space Grant program funds nearly 4,000 fellowships and
scholarships for students in all 50 States and the District of Columbia
who are pursuing a STEM career, allowing them to participate in NASA
aeronautics and space projects integrating classroom learning with on-
the-job training much like apprenticeships. The New Hampshire Space
Grant Consortium is a Designated Consortium funded at a level of
$760,000 in fiscal year 2017. In New Hampshire, the Space Grant awarded
88 NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships (NIFS) to students
at universities and colleges across the State. This program can have a
profound impact on awardees, especially those from underrepresented
groups. A testimonial from a female awardee says, ``'The New Hampshire
Space Grant funded my participation in the NASA Academy at Marshall
Space Flight Center. In this program, I was able to prototype a
satellite, learn Creo CAD modeling, work on a 'flat floor' with air
bearings, travel to NASA Kennedy for a launch, gain outdoors experience
with weekend team building, travel to NASA JPL, SpaceX, Aerojet
Rocketdyne, SkunkWorks, and Virgin Galactic for company tours, and
build a network of aerospace students and professionals. I would argue
that this experience was pivotal in securing my job and beginning my
career after graduation. It was certainly pivotal in compelling me to
follow my dreams of aerospace engineer . . . I am an aerospace engineer
at Blue Origin.''
EPSCoR plays a key role in U.S. economic competitiveness by
establishing partnerships with government, higher education and
industry that are designed to effect lasting improvements in a State's
or region's research infrastructure, R&D capacity and hence, its
national R&D competitiveness. The goal of EPSCoR is to provide funding
that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research
enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-
competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research.
The EPSCoR program is directed at those jurisdictions that have not in
the past participated equitably in competitive aerospace and aerospace-
related research activities.
EPSCoR States are home to 20 percent of the country's population
and workforce. They contain nearly 30 percent of the Nation's research
institutions and more than 15 percent of the Nation's scientific and
technological personnel. They bestow 20 percent of the Nation's
undergraduate degrees in science and engineering and 16 percent of the
Nation's doctorate degrees in these fields of study. They are home to
20 percent of the country's high-tech industries. Fifty-seven of the
Fortune 500 companies have their corporate headquarters in EPSCoR
States.\1\
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\1\ EPSCoR 2030 Report, http://www.epscorideafoundation.org/media/
docs/EPSCoR_2030_
Report_4-23b.pdf
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Continued support for NASA's Office of STEM Engagement is vital to
ensure the United States continues to train and inspire our next
generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians in order to remain
globally competitive.
nsf, education & human resources (ehr)
Progress in STEM depends on educating discoverers--innovators and
future leaders in the Nation's science and engineering enterprise.
These discoverers are critical members of the STEM workforce. They fill
vital roles throughout the public and private sectors, including
academic, policy, research, and teaching positions. EHR programs
educate, train, and support discoverers. These programs also engage
citizen scientists and help foster a well-informed, STEM-literate
citizenry prepared to handle rapid technological change and pursue STEM
careers.
In addition to supporting programs aimed at preparing the next
generation of STEM professionals, it also funds the discoveries--the
foundational research and the design and implementation studies--that
underpin these STEM human capital development initiatives. Just as
NSF's Research and Related Activities (R&RA) directorates are dedicated
to funding basic research that accelerates progress in science and
engineering, EHR supports early-stage, exploratory research that
enables improvements in STEM education, learning, and assessment. EHR
programs fund crucial foundational, design and development, and
implementation research that is made available to inform large
investments at scale made by other agencies, organizations, and the
private sector.
EHR currently funds $5,026 million in active awards, many of which
typically span multiple years. Kansas receives $25 million in active
awards to fund research at the State's major universities and colleges.
For example, Dr. Melanie Derby, assistant professor of mechanical and
nuclear engineering and the Hal and Mary Siegele professor of
engineering at Kansas State University, will lead an interdisciplinary
team that was recently awarded a 5-year, $2.9 million NSF Research
Traineeship Program (NRT) grant to train graduate students who can
address complex challenges. The award was one of 17 NRT projects funded
nationwide and is the first NRT awarded in the State of Kansas. This
award to Kansas State University will prepare students to become
science-based leaders and advocates for resilient rural communities by
combining engineering, economics, and sociological knowledge to meet
the needs of farmers, industry, and society. Students will engage with
farmers, government and industry through interactive sessions and will
develop relevant skills through innovative coursework and teamwork.
While PSEPC does not advocate for Directorate level funding levels
at NSF, the goals of NSF EHR are in line with many of the core values
of the organizations within PSEPC to promote an active, inclusive and
diverse physical sciences community.
noaa, office of education
The NOAA Office of Education advances education internally within
the agency and to the broader public. The Office has several major
areas of emphasis: the Educational Partnership Program (EPP) with
Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI); the Ernest F. Hollings
Undergraduate Scholarships; the Environmental Literacy Program; and the
Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET). The Office of Education
also coordinates interagency educational activities and those involving
external partners.
The EPP/MSI workforce development program supports four NOAA-
University education and collaborative research-based Cooperative
Science Centers at Florida A&M University, Howard University, CUNY City
College, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. These four
universities partner with 24 additional universities to increase the
number of students who graduate within degrees in STEM and natural
resource management/policy. So far more than 1800 students have
graduated in NOAA-mission fields. Other key EPP/MSI initiatives are the
Undergraduate Scholarship Program and NOAA Experiential Research &
Training Opportunities.
The Hollings Scholarship Program provides students with 2 years of
undergraduate academic assistance and a summer internship. There are
more than 130 active scholars and a network of more than 1400 alumni,
of which 75 percent have attended graduate school. Among other
benefits, the program prepares students for careers in public service
or as oceanic and atmospheric science teachers and educators who can
improve U.S. science and environmental education.
The Environmental Literacy Program supports competitive grants and
long-term external partnerships. The grants programs is most
comprehensive and enduring national funding opportunity focused on
improving environmental stewardship and increasing resilience to
natural hazards.
B-WET provides competitive funding in support of K-12 Meaningful
Watershed Educational Experiences, which promote classroom-based and
outdoor education ecosystem learning and stewardship. B-WET currently
operates in California, Hawaii, and the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes,
Gulf of Mexico, New England, and Pacific Northwest regions.
In support of PSEPC goals, these NOAA Office of Education programs
broaden STEM education and promote workforce development, with focus on
underserved audiences.
endorsed by the following member organizations
Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
American Physical Society (APS)
The Optical Society (OSA)
[This statement was facilitated by Dr. Bethany R. Johns at the
American Institute of Physics.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS)
Program
Law enforcement officers fight every day to keep our communities
safe. Their jobs are challenging and dangerous. New threats emerge
constantly, requiring officers to respond to diverse and complex
situations. One organization--the Regional Information Sharing Systems
(RISS) Program--is providing a solution by answering the demand for
rapid, but secure, sharing of information and intelligence among law
enforcement and public safety professionals, offering critical
analytical and investigative support services, and providing lifesaving
event deconfliction. It is respectfully requested that RISS be funded
in fiscal year 2020 at $48 million.
RISS reaches across the country (and to some international
partners) and serves every level of government; local, State, regional,
Federal, and Tribal criminal justice agencies benefit from RISS. More
than 9,200 criminal justice agencies and other partners, as well as
hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers and criminal justice
professionals, trust RISS and rely on it to:
--Share critical law enforcement and intelligence data across
jurisdictions.
--Access case and analytical services that help solve crimes and
prosecute offenders.
--Prevent friendly fire and safeguard the men and women protecting
our streets.
--Preserve the integrity of operations and protect citizens and
communities.
--Equip officers and criminal justice professionals with training,
assistance, and research.
RISS is composed of six regional centers and the RISS Technology
Support Center (RTSC). The RISS Centers work regionally to respond to
the unique crime problems of their regions, while working together on
nationwide issues. The RTSC maintains the RISS Secure Cloud (RISSNET)
and develops and implements RISSNET resources. The RTSC coordinates
technical matters among the RISS Centers--including security and
hardware and software upgrades--and communicates the direction of RISS
information technology and database applications development.
what riss does
RISS integrates advanced technology and field-based solutions that
connect systems and officers across jurisdictions.
RISSNET connects disparate systems, provides bidirectional sharing,
offers a single simultaneous search of connected systems, houses
hundreds of resources, and provides access to millions of records.
Without RISSNET resources and information, multijurisdictional
information sharing would become difficult, leads may be lost, and some
cases may not be solved timely or at all.
RISS develops, maintains, and provides access to intelligence and
investigative databases, including:
--The RISS Criminal Intelligence Database (RISSIntel)--provides for a
real-time, online federated search of more than 50 RISS and
partner intelligence databases.
--The RISS National Gang Program (RISSGang)--provides an intelligence
database, a website, and information resources.
--The RISS Automated Trusted Information Exchange (ATIX)--a secure
platform for law enforcement, public safety, first responders,
and the private sector to share information.
--The RISSLeads Investigative Website--enables law enforcement
officers to post information regarding cases or other law
enforcement issues.
--The RISS Officer Safety Website--provides users with timely officer
safety information and a secure infrastructure to exchange and
share officer safety-related information.
--The RISS Property and Recovery Tracking System (RISSProp)--houses
millions of pawn, secondhand, and other shop transactions to
enable officers to identify and return stolen property and
identify other related criminal activities.
--The RISS Master Telephone Index (MTI)--an analytical database
designed to compare and match common telephone numbers in law
enforcement investigations from across the Nation.
--The RISS Money Counter Project (MCP)--stores currency serial
numbers for comparison to currency submitted by officers in
previous cases.
--The RISS Drug Pricing Reference Guide--an online tool that enables
officers to search for comparable prices on narcotics; serve as
a price guide when assessing the value of seizures and
contraband; and identify supply, demand, and popularity trends
within the drug market.
RISS provides essential officer safety event deconfliction and related
resources.
The RISS Officer Safety Event Deconfliction System (RISSafe)
supports law enforcement personnel who are conducting an event near one
another at the same time. Events include law enforcement actions, such
as undercover operations, surveillance, or executing search warrants.
When certain elements are matched between two or more events, a
conflict results. Immediate notification is then made to the affected
agencies or personnel regarding the identified conflict.
Since RISSafe's inception, 1,913,653 operations have been entered
into RISSafe, resulting in 459,799 identified conflicts. Without the
identification of these conflicts, officers may have interfered with
another agency's or officer's investigation, links between cases may
have been lost, or officers or citizens may have been unintentionally
hurt or killed. RISSafe is accessible and monitored on a 24/7/365 basis
and available at no cost to all law enforcement agencies. Currently, 29
RISSafe Watch Centers are operational, 23 of which are operated by
organizations other than RISS. In May 2015, the three nationally
recognized event deconfliction systems--Case Explorer, SAFETNet, and
RISSafe--were integrated. The partners worked in collaboration to
accomplish this goal with the help of many vested partners. This
partnership and system integration have further strengthened officer
and citizen safety across the country.
RISS provides investigative and analytical services, training and
publications development, and comprehensive investigative
research, including
--Equipment loans
--Audio/video enhancements
--Digital forensics
--Case support
--Field services
--Examples of training
--Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism
--Prescription Drug Crimes
--Examples of publications
--Domestic Terrorism and Extremism
--Orlando Pulse Nightclub
--The Heroin Resurgence: A Painkiller Epidemic
RISS supports Federal and nationwide initiatives that enhance and
expand efficient and effective information sharing among the
criminal justice community.
More than 1,000 Federal entities utilize RISS. RISS helps Federal
programs meet information sharing mandates and serves as a bridge
between local, State, regional, Federal, and Tribal law enforcement
partners. Example partnerships include:
--Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Law Enforcement Enterprise
Portal
--FBI's Law Enforcement National Data Exchange (N-DEx)
--High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
--National Fusion Center Association
--National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
--Nationwide Deconfliction Council/National Virtual Pointer System
--Nlets--The International Justice and Public Safety Network
--Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Federal, State,
Local, Tribal--Information Sharing
--U.S. Attorneys' Offices
--U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security
Information Network (HSIN)
--U.S. Department of Justice
RISS serves as an expert in intelligence and technology solutions,
including federation and single sign-on (SSO).
RISS has streamlined processes, increased information sharing and
officer access to critical data, enhanced the safety of officers and
communities, and advanced important technology solutions. Examples of
nationwide projects include:
--Expanded access to N-DEx
--Connected 19 fusion center intelligence systems to RISSIntel
--Deployed HSIN/RISS federated search
--Expanded law enforcement identity vetting and SSO capabilities
--Integrated a one-time passcode, online registration, and new user
services
riss's impact
RISS has been aggressively setting and achieving evidence-based
goals since its inception. Below are some highlights of RISS's fiscal
year 2018 results and productivity.
--Developed 188,310 analytical products.
--Loaned 2,527 pieces of specialized equipment.
--Responded to and provided research and information for 74,898
requests for assistance.
--Trained 43,145 law enforcement officers and personnel.
--Provided access to more than 49.7 million records to authorized
personnel, including access to investigative databases, such as
RISSProp, the MCP, and the MTI.
--Enabled users to conduct more than 5.1 million inquiries to RISS
resources.
In addition, RISS services helped locate 1,175 individuals, resolve
1,325 cases, and prosecute 310 cases in fiscal year 2018. Law
enforcement agencies reported that by using RISS services, their
officers were able to arrest more than 36,780 offenders and seize more
than $629.6 million in narcotics, property, and currency over the last
10 years. RISS is an excellent return on investment for our nation.
Hundreds of shared successes are submitted to RISS each year from
agencies utilizing RISS services. Examples can be viewed at
www.riss.net/Impact.
investing in riss
RISS's proposed efforts for fiscal year 2020 will increase the
number of RISS users and the number of database records available to
users, as well as the number of inquiries to RISSNET resources. Funding
for technology initiatives will improve speed, security, access, and
authentication and enhance the entire user experience.
The fiscal year 2020 request for $48 million will support the
following:
--Operation of the six RISS Centers and all of their current support
services and resources
--Operation of the RTSC (nationwide RISS data center)
--Support for the 24/7/365 nationwide RISSafe Watch Center
--Critical equipment and infrastructure
--RISSGang enhancements
--Trustmarks/federation expansion
--RISS ATIX enhancements
--Expansion of RISS's school safety response plans
--Combating opioids, heroin, and narcotics
--Expansion of RISSProp nationwide
--Officer safety/deconfliction enhancements
--Continued and additional support for fusion center partnerships
RISS is a resource that saves agencies money and time and produces
results. With increased funding, RISS can continue to operate while
building on its successes. It would be counterproductive to require
local and State RISS members to self-fund match requirements or to
reduce the amount of Bureau of Justice Assistance discretionary
funding. Agencies require more funding to fight the Nation's crime
problem. RISS is unable to make up the decrease in funding that a match
would cause, for it has no revenue source of its own. RISS is grateful
to provide this testimony at your request and appreciates the support
that this committee continuously provides to the RISS Program. For
additional information, visit www.riss.net.
[This statement was submitted by Donald F. Kennedy, Jr., Chair,
RISS National Policy Group.]
______
Prepared Statement of Research!America
Research!America appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony
for the record. The Research!America alliance advocates for science,
discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. We are
grateful for the subcommittee's dedicated stewardship over funding for
such crucial priorities as the National Science Foundation (NSF). As
you consider fiscal year 2020 allocations, we request that the National
Science Foundation (NSF) receive at least $9 billion to grow jobs,
empower sustained economic growth, and advance the wellbeing of
Americans and populations across the globe.
NSF's portfolio, which is intentionally diverse to maximize the
returns on science investment, spans biology, economics, engineering,
mathematics, computer science, the social and behavioral sciences, and
other high impact scientific disciplines. We firmly believe that robust
funding for NSF is a sound strategy for advancing our Nation's
strategic interests in an increasingly complex global landscape and
meeting the goals and aspirations of the American people.
What the NSF Provides
NSF funds diverse basic and applied research in local universities
and other research institutions located in all 50 States, the District
of Columbia and three U.S. territories. An estimated 386,000 students,
teachers, researchers and postdoctoral fellows were empowered by the
NSF in fiscal year 2018. Approximately 90 percent of NSF funding is
allocated to grants or cooperative agreements to researchers through a
competitive merit review process. Since 1950, NSF has supported more
than 236 Nobel Prize winners, including five Nobel Laureates in 2018.
The studies supported by NSF bear on virtually every sector of our
economy, support cyber and other crucial areas of national security,
and factor importantly into the productive use of big data and other
highly promising avenues of research.
NSF Leverages American Ingenuity to Break New Ground in Science and
Technology
NSF supports the type of high-risk research that drives progress
and has resulted in recent, groundbreaking discoveries. Researchers are
using the NSF-funded Stampede super computer at the Texas Advanced
Computing Center to design next generation batteries by modeling
interactions between atoms. This research is critical for storing
energy from new smart grid technologies and wind turbines. The
development of more advanced super computers also directly impacts the
health and well-being of all Americans by helping researchers more
accurately predict natural disasters and aid in the discovery of new
therapeutic drugs. This progress would not have been possible without
NSF investment in computer science, math and statistics.
NSF-funded research continues to propel progress, often through
collaboration across multiple fields. ``Lab on a chip'' devices can
simulate human lungs to find treatments for diseases like COPD, asthma,
and lung cancer in a more cost and time efficient manner. A team of
chemists, engineers, and physicians have developed new way to evaluate
the results of these studies in real time using light, further speeding
up the treatment discovery process. Through NSF's continued support,
fields work together to produce cutting-edge research that pushes the
fields of medicine, engineering, and biomedical science forward.
Americans Understand the Value NSF Delivers
Since 1992, Research!America has commissioned national and State-
level surveys to gauge public sentiment on issues related to research
and innovation. One of the most consistent finding over time has been
Americans' support for basic research. In our most recent survey,
fielded in January of 2019, 80 percent of respondents agreed that
``even if it brings no immediate benefits, basic scientific research
that advances the frontiers of knowledge is necessary and should be
supported by the Federal Government.'' Our surveys have also explored
Americans' perspectives on the role of NSF funded tools in advancing
key national priorities. For example, a large majority of Americans--
83%--assign importance to putting science, technology and engineering
to work to strengthen U.S. infrastructure.
NSF is Crucial to Training the Next Generation of American Scientists
and Innovators
Our Nation's continued global leadership is inexorably linked to
our strength in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM). NSF fosters future American leaders in these
strategically important disciplines. Since 1952, NSF has supported more
than 57,700 students through Graduate Research Fellowships and has
provided grant support to thousands of postdoctoral fellows and young
investigators. The agency also engages in innovative educational
initiatives such as NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of
Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoveries in Engineering
and Science), a national initiative to make STEM education more
inclusive of underrepresented and underserved populations. Efforts like
this set the stage for future success as our Nation seeks to accelerate
the pace of medical and scientific progress.
Research!America appreciates the difficult and complex task facing
the subcommittee as it seeks to prioritize funding in a manner that
best serves the American people. In that context, we urge to provide at
least $9 billion for NSF. We hope you will call on our organization if
additional information would prove useful. Thank you for your continued
leadership and consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Mary Woolley, President and CEO.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Sea Grant Association
The National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is a joint
Federal-State investment that supports the health and resilience of the
Nation's coastal communities (including the Great Lakes, Gulf of
Mexico, and communities on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts), yielding
quantifiable economic, social, and environmental benefits at the
national, regional, State, and local levels. It is a program of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of
Commerce.
The administration, for the third year in a row, is recommending
elimating funding for the Sea Grant program, including the Knauss
Fellowship Program and research on sustainable aquaculture. The Sea
Grant Association (SGA), a non-profit organization dedicated to
furthering the Sea Grant Program concept whose members are the academic
institutions that participate in the National Sea Grant College
Program, strongly opposes the administration's fiscal year 2020
proposal. The SGA is deeply appreciative of the support this
subcommittee has consistently provided the Sea Grant program, rejecting
past administration proposals to elinate funding for the program. We
urge the subcommittee to continue to support the Sea Grant program when
it develops its fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill.
The Sea Grant Association recommends that the National Sea Grant
College Program, including the Knauss Fellowship Program, Sea Grant
STEM education activities, and research on aquaculture, be funded at a
total of $93.5 million for fiscal year 2020, an amount consistent with
the total amount proposed in S. 129 (that passed the Senate unanimously
in September 2017). These funds are necessary so that each of the 33
university based programs can best serve the needs of its local and
regional stakeholders and partners. These needs have been identified
via each program's collaborative strategic planning process with its
stakeholders.
In 1966, Congress passed the National Sea Grant College and Program
Act that charged the Federal Government to develop a network of Sea
Grant Colleges modeled after the Land Grant College system. This model
combines research and engagement through its extension services and
education programs. Sea Grant extension can be defined as the delivery
of scientific research and knowledge to fishermen, community leaders,
and other Sea Grant stakeholders. From the beginning, it was
anticipated that the three pillars of research, extension, and
education, and the network of cooperating universities would be
mutually supporting. Sea Grant economic impact numbers including 2,500
business created or sustainedand 12,500 jobs created or sustained
confirm that Sea Grant has benefited the vitality of coastal
communities, habitats and ecosystems together with the marine resources
upon which they depend far more profoundly than even Sea Grant's
founders could have imagined.
Central to the power of the Sea Grant model is the synergistic
interplay of goal-directed research conducted by many of our Nation's
finest scholars with the rapid and sustained delivery of that knowledge
toward solving societally-relevant problems and making more informed
choices. Sea Grant's research agenda is informed through stakeholder
input and is directed toward solving local, regional and national
coastal issues. The education of the next generation in diverse fields
is intimately integrated into both Sea Grant's research and extension
activities. These activities taken together support the economic and
environmental vitality of our Nation's ocean, coast, and Great Lakes
and the communities that depend on them. For over 50 years, Sea Grant
research, extension, and education have substantively engaged coastal
and Great Lakes communities. Sea Grant's mission is to enhance the
practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes
resources in order to create a robust and sustainable economy and
environment.
Increasing aquaculture production and reducing extreme weather
impacts are both key priorities of the Department of Commerce and NOAA.
The United States imports about 90 percent of its seafood, creating an
annual seafood trade deficit exceeding $14 billion. With worldwide fish
consumption projected to increase by 21 percent in the next decade, our
seafood deficit will continue to grow if sustained action is not taken.
Sea Grant is a leader in supporting aquaculture research and
development that lead to jobs and increased domestic production of safe
and sustainable seafood. Through its locally based research, extension,
and education programs, its national perspective, and its longstanding
role in aquaculture, Sea Grant is ideally positioned to play an
expanded role in the Commerce Department's focus on reducing the
Nation's seafood trade deficit.
Sea Grant can also assist NOAA efforts to better prepare for and
recover from extreme weather and water events by informing observations
and developing research-based coastal community resiliency practices.
Population density in coastal communities is increasing as people are
attracted to the beauty, economic opportunities, and recreational
activities offered by these localities. According to the most recent
completed census (2010), 39 percent of all Americans live in coastal
and Great Lakes counties, and projections suggest that this will
increase by another 8 percent by 2020. Sea Grant is helping coastal
communities cope with the strain that population expansion places on
local resources and the increased need for hazard preparedness
planning. In recent years, coastal communities have experienced an
increased risk to lives and property from storms and natural disasters.
Weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorms have
increased in number and intensity, posing threats to people, animals,
livelihoods, and ecosystems. In cost-effective ways, Sea Grant is
assisting States, regions, and local communities to improve both their
preparedness, resilience, and recovery to, challenges due to increased
extremes and variability in weather and other natural disasters. Sea
Grant is helping coastal communities in Texas, Puerto Rico, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and other States recover from
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Florence, and Michael and prepare for
future severe storms and other catastrophic events.
The $93.5 million requested for Sea Grant in fiscal year 2020 will
continue progress in research, extension, education, and outreach at
the local, State, regional and national levels.
In 2017, the Sea Grant program helped generate an estimated $579
million in economic impacts, created or supported over 12,500 jobs,
provided 33 state-level programs with funding that assisted 462
communities improve their resilience, helped nearly 17,700 fishers
adopt safe and sustainable fishing practices, helped restore an
estimated 700,000 acres of coastal ecosystems, worked with about 1,300
industry and private sector, local, state and regional partners, and
supported the education and training of over 1,800 undergraduate and
graduate students. The Sea Grant program achieved this with a
congressional appropriation in fiscal year 2017 of $72.5 million, that
were leveraged with matching funds.
Sea Grant is a unique program within NOAA that sends 95 percent of
its appropriated funds to coastal States through a competitive process
to address issues that are identified as critical by public and private
sector constituents and coastal communities throughout the United
States. Sea Grant fosters cost-effective partnerships among State
universities, State and local governments, NOAA, and coastal
communities and businesses.
Funding for Sea Grant results in support for sustainable fisheries
and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, healthy coastal
ecosystems, environmental literacy, the Sea Grant Knauss Fellows and
other fellowship programs, and workforce development. In its 50 plus-
year history, National Sea Grant College Program successes can be
attributed to its ability to respond to the changing needs of our
coastal communities. Sea Grant's programs are integrated into both the
National Sea Grant and NOAA's national strategic plans. Each tailored
and therefore maximally effective program executes the following
objectives:
--Sea Grant has capacity, breadth, and depth. Sea Grant brings the
expertise of its vast network of universities, research
institutions, faculty, students, staff, and facilities, with
on-the-ground and in-the-field knowledge. This knowledge,
bolstered by established ties and credibility with communities
and community leaders, results in the conversion of science and
technology into practical use and informed decisionmaking.
--Sea Grant facilitates opportunities. Sea Grant engages partners,
stakeholders, and constituents through its nimbleness, capacity
for rapid response, and multifaceted ability to address
critical issues and needs facing the Nation.
--Sea Grant is proactive. Sea Grant has engaged in planning,
resilience, hazard preparedness and recovery, and participated
in the overall ``Blue Economy'' before the terms were
popularized in national programs. Sea Grant has been engaged in
an ongoing visioning exercise. For example, in 2016, the Sea
Grant network developed a 10-year aquaculture vision that
outlines the most pressing needs and opportunities to foster
sustainable aquaculture development across the country.
--Sea Grant is there for its stakeholders. The needs and desires of
the nation's taxpayers who live, work, and play in coastal
America for products and services that Sea Grant provides are
rapidly increasing. This is because Sea Grant is recognized and
trusted for its ability to work with local constituents to
better understand their needs and deliver relevant information
and services.
Local, State, regional, and national partnerships are critical to
addressing these and other issues central to the survival of our
coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems. Coastal and Great Lakes
communities need to be informed, engaged, and prepared to respond to
these threats and to turn these adversities into opportunities. This is
precisely what Sea Grant does.
For over 50 years, Sea Grant has been at the forefront of creating
economic opportunities, enhancing food and water security, and reducing
risks from natural hazards and extreme events facing coastal
communities through research and outreach efforts. Sea Grant is user-
driven and university-based, and fully engaged with regional, State,
and local organizations.
With $93.5 million in Federal funding, Sea Grant will leverage
significant State and local support, continue to increase the economic
development and resiliency of coastal communities, and help sustain the
health and productivity of the ecosystems on which they depend.
Thank you for the opportunity to present this testimony.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Fredrika Moser, President, and
Director, Maryland Sea Grant.]
______
Prepared Statement of SEARCH, the National Consortium for Justice
Information and Statistics
introduction
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, for the
opportunity to submit testimony on the Department of Justice (DOJ)
funding to be provided for in the fiscal year 2020 Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. SEARCH recommends an
appropriation of at least $75 million for the National Criminal History
Improvement Program (NCHIP) and the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP),
which is the amount that was included in the 2019 Consolidated
Appropriations Act.
SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and
Statistics (SEARCH), is a nonprofit membership organization created by
and for the States. SEARCH's Governor-appointed, dues-paying Members
from the States and territories have the responsibility, among other
things, to oversee both NCHIP and NARIP within their States.
Over the years, States have made great strides in meeting their
criminal history record improvement goals under both programs. Robust
funding for these programs in prior years, as reflected in the fiscal
year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related
Agencies appropriations was welcomed by the States who use the funding
to modernize and enhance operations and technology, and to more
effectively share data for critical criminal justice and public safety
decisions. NCHIP funding has helped States vastly improve the quality
and completeness of criminal history records, and to make this
information immediately available and broadly accessible nationwide.
NARIP funding has significantly improved information for firearms
eligibility determinations via the NICS system, including increasing
mental health records availability to NICS by nearly 1600 percent.\1\
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\1\ https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/249793.pdf
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There is still work to be done to realize a truly complete and
accurate national criminal history background check system. That system
not only informs a variety of justice and public safety decisions, but
also and increasingly critical noncriminal justice decisions, such as
those regarding applicants for employment and licensing; volunteers who
work with children, elderly and other vulnerable populations; and
individuals purchasing firearms. It is important to recognize that
information stored in State criminal history record repositories
throughout the Nation and used for criminal justice decisionmaking
(such as at arrest, prosecution, sentencing, and community
supervision), is precisely the same information that is required for
other public safety and noncriminal justice decisions (such as
employment and licensing decisions and for firearms eligibility
determinations).
The States are leveraging prior Congressional funding to engage in
broad-scale initiatives and partnerships with other State agencies to
improve and enhance criminal history record information collection and
sharing. These partnerships between the criminal history repositories
and State courts, corrections, prosecution and mental health agencies--
among others--have been stimulated through these substantive grant
funding streams, which enable the development of enterprise solutions
to address universal interagency information sharing challenges.
Continued progress and substantive advances rely in no small measure on
new funding in fiscal year 2020.
SEARCH appreciates the subcommittee's recognition that while both
NCHIP and NARIP focus on improvements to the efficiency, effectiveness,
timeliness, and accuracy of criminal history record and associated data
for decisionmaking purposes, each program emphasizes specific and
distinct goals.
NCHIP allows States to focus on a broad range of criminal history
improvement activities that are unique and specific to each State.
States have identified and prioritized the improvements needed in their
systems to support critical decisionmaking at the State and national
level for both criminal and civil decisions. Some of those priorities
include improving arrest records, increasing disposition reporting,
expanding conviction record availability in the Federal systems, and
enhancing positive identification capabilities.
Maine, for example, has used NCHIP funding to locate missing
criminal history record dispositions or fingerprint-supported records,
specifically focusing on improving felony, sex offender and domestic
violence records. Connecticut has used NCHIP funding to migrate paper
criminal history record dispositions into a searchable electronic
format to improve the overall efficiency in searching disposition
records and reducing the disposition backlog. South Carolina has used
NCHIP funding to hire individuals to conduct training to ensure that
records conform to FBI standards, add thousands of dispositions to the
State's criminal history records repository, and process thousands of
expungements.
The flexibility of NCHIP funding allows States to enhance
enterprise information sharing and data used to support a myriad of key
decisions in the justice arena each and every day. For example, the
lack of positive, biometric identification associated with criminal
history records is often a major challenge. Kentucky used NCHIP funding
to develop a Court Fingerprint Notification application within its E-
Warrants system. When an offender appears before a judge, the judge
will be automatically notified if the offender's fingerprints are not
on file, enabling the judge to order that fingerprints be taken,
thereby supporting efforts to establish and verify identity with
biometric precision. Michigan used NCHIP funding to create an
instructional training video to provide local agencies with easily
accessible information regarding the proper submission of fingerprints
and criminal history record data.
In contrast to NCHIP grant funding, NARIP funding focuses
specifically on improving information sharing with NICS for firearms
purchases. There are 10 categories established in Federal law that
disqualify an individual from purchasing firearms. They include
disqualifiers such as felony conviction information, fugitive from
justice, domestic violence protection order, involuntary commitment to
mental health institution, etc.
Nearly 90 percent of the records used to make these disqualifying
decisions are based on the information that States provide to NICS.\2\
That information comes from three key sources: the Interstate
Identification Index (III--the national system for exchanging criminal
record information), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC--an
automated, nationally accessible database of crime data, criminal
justice and justice-related records, including wanted persons and
protection orders) and the NICS Indices (created for presale background
checks of firearms purchase). Any efforts States undertake to improve
the information contribution to any of these databases enhance the
effectiveness of firearms eligibility decisionmaking.
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\2\ FBI Criminal Justice Information Services III Statistics,
February 1, 2013
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NARIP grants allow States to improve information made available to
NICS, such as increasing the number of disqualifying mental health
records into the NICS Indices and domestic violence orders of
protection into the NCIC. Such targeted funding assists States in
meeting the challenges specifically associated with getting information
to the system. As valuable as the program is, however, NARIP funds are
only available to 31 States at this point, since not all States qualify
for the funding.\3\
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\3\ NARIP has two main requirements: States must (1) establish a
process where those adjudicated as ``mentally defective'' can seek to
reinstate their right to purchase a firearm, and (2) comply with a
process to estimate the number of NICS disqualifying records they
maintain. Only 31 States have met requirement #1.
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States that do qualify for NARIP funding can target information
sharing efforts to improve their contributions to NICS. For example,
NARIP grant funds have significantly improved the records that New York
State makes available to the NICS Indices. New York State can now
efficiently transmit records of mental health involuntary admissions
and civil guardianships to NICS. New York State also collects and
reports Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence (MCDV) convictions to
NICS so that vulnerable spouses, children and intimate partners are
further protected. Nebraska has utilized NARIP funding to develop a
Protection Order Portal that enables local law enforcement to
efficiently enter protection orders into NCIC, making them available
for NICS checks.
SEARCH makes three key recommendations regarding NCHIP and NARIP
funding:
1. Support NCHIP funding for improvements to State criminal history
record information to robustly support criminal and civil
decisionmaking nationwide.
The NCHIP program has been successful in helping States improve the
accuracy, reliability and completeness of their automated criminal
history record systems. Meaningful NCHIP funding will more broadly
improve the Nation's criminal justice information sharing backbone.
Moreover, the Federal investment can be leveraged many times over by
contributing to the ability of State and local criminal justice
agencies to provide timely, accurate and compatible information to
Federal programs, such as the III. And, importantly, all States qualify
for funding under NCHIP.
NCHIP funding since fiscal year 2014 has reinvigorated an important
and timely program. Because State criminal history records are the
principal source for the FBI's III database, any constraints on the
States weakens the ability of many State and Federal programs to
identify threats and keep our Nation safe.
2. Continue to invest in improving background screening for firearms
purchases.
We urge Congress to continue the investment in the Federal-State
criminal background screening partnership that comprises NICS. NICS is
a critical tool in the fight against gun violence, and the States and
FBI rely on NICS every day for informed decisionmaking on firearms
transactions.
There are still many opportunities for improving the timeliness and
availability of information to NICS. Millions of records related to
felony convictions, cases under indictment or information, fugitives
from justice and drug abusers-all NICS disqualifying categories-remain
open and unavailable to NICS. While States have made significant
strides in making mental health records available to NICS, many States
need continued support to target information sharing in the other
prohibitor categories to further improve their information sharing to
NICS.
3. Provide an appropriation of $75 million for NCHIP and NARIP.
Providing at least level funding for NCHIP and NARIP in fiscal year
2020 will allow States to utilize these programs to improve their
criminal history records in support of general criminal justice and
civil decisionmaking, as well as improvements to background screening
for firearms purchases.
conclusion
SEARCH thanks the Chairman and Members of the subcommittee for
their steadfast support of these programs in the face of daunting
budget challenges. Given the critical importance of criminal history
record information for a broad spectrum of decisions that keep our
citizens safe from predators, terrorists and other criminals, it is a
worthwhile and needed investment. The accuracy, completeness and
reliability of the Nation's criminal history record system is more
important than ever before, for criminal investigations, officer
safety, sentencing and other criminal justice purposes; for expungement
and other reentry strategies; for homeland security and anti-terrorism
purposes; for public noncriminal justice purposes, such as licensing
and employment suitability and firearms purchases; and for research
that provides critical guidance in shaping law and policy.
SEARCH encourages Congress to allow States to tailor their use of
NARIP and NCHIP funding to address the specific challenges each State
faces, as the examples discussed earlier clearly illustrate, in making
more records available to the national system.
On behalf of SEARCH's Governor-appointees, and the thousands of
criminal justice officials who benefit from SEARCH's efforts, I thank
you for your consideration.
[This statement was submitted by David J. Roberts, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Society for Industrial and Applied
Mathematics
national science foundation
Summary: This written testimony is submitted on behalf of the
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) to ask you to
continue your support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in
fiscal year 2020 by providing NSF with $9 billion to advance both core
research areas and NSF's Big Ideas for Future Investment. These Big
Ideas dramatically propel interdisciplinary research forward while
revolutionizing quantum communications, medicine, and other areas. In
particular, we urge you to provide strong support for the Research and
Related Activities Account (RRA) that supports key applied mathematics
and computational science programs in the Division of Mathematical
Sciences and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure. SIAM also
requests your support for the Education and Human Resources (EHR)
directorate that addresses fundamental challenges in mathematics and
STEM education.
Full Statement: On behalf of SIAM, we submit this written testimony
for the record to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. Senate.
SIAM has over 14,000 members, including applied and computational
mathematicians, computer scientists, numerical analysts, engineers,
statisticians, and mathematics educators. They work in industrial and
service organizations, universities, colleges, and government agencies
and laboratories all over the world. In addition, SIAM has almost 500
institutional members, including colleges, universities, corporations,
and research organizations. SIAM members come from many different
disciplines but have a common interest in applying mathematics in
partnership with computational science to solve real-world problems,
which affect national security and industrial competitiveness.
First, we would like to emphasize how much SIAM appreciates your
Committee's continued leadership on and recognition of the critical
role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its support for
mathematics, science, and engineering in enabling a strong U.S.
economy, workforce, and society.
Today, we submit this testimony to ask you to continue your support
of NSF in fiscal year 2020 and beyond. In particular, we join with the
research and higher education community and request that you provide
NSF with at least $9 billion in funding for fiscal year 2020. After
years of stagnant funding before fiscal year 2018, NSF needs bold
growth to protect U.S. competitiveness as countries such as China are
rapidly increasing their science and engineering investments. According
to the National Science Board, in fiscal year 2017, NSF rejected close
to four billion dollars of proposals rated ``very good or higher'' due
to budget constraints. Funding of $9 billion would help the agency
address critical unmet national research needs and historical
underinvestment.
As we are reminded every day, the Nation's economic strength,
national security, and welfare are being challenged in profound and
unprecedented ways. Many of these challenges are fueled by gaps in our
understanding of complex systems such as cyberspace, terrorist
networks, the human brain, or the energy grid. Mathematics and
computational science play a foundational and cross-cutting role in
understanding these systems through advanced modeling and simulation,
developing techniques essential to designing new breakthrough
technologies like Artificial Intelligence, and providing new tools for
managing resources and logistics. Progress in computational sciences
and applied mathematics also underpins advances across an array of
fields and challenges in computing, materials, biology, engineering,
and other areas.
national science foundation
NSF serves a unique and critical function supporting all areas of
science and engineering to further innovation and seed the knowledge
and technologies for a strong future America. NSF provides essential
Federal support for applied mathematics and computational science,
including 64 percent of all Federal support for basic academic research
in the mathematical sciences. Of particular importance to SIAM, NSF
funding supports the development of new mathematical models and
computational algorithms, which are critical to making substantial
advances in such fields as neuroscience, energy technologies, genomics,
and nanotechnology. In addition, new techniques developed in
mathematics and computing research often have direct application in
industry. Modern life as we know it--from search engines like Google to
the design of modern aircraft, from financial markets to medical
imaging--would not be possible without the techniques developed by
mathematicians and computational scientists using NSF funding. NSF also
supports mathematics education at all levels, ensuring that the next
generation of the U.S. workforce is appropriately trained to
participate in cutting-edge technological sectors and that students are
attracted to careers in mathematics and computing.
SIAM supports NSF's investments in the 10 Big Ideas for Future
Investment, which represent major scientific challenges where sustained
investment can make a transformative difference. In particular, SIAM
urges support for the Harnessing the Data Revolution, Understanding the
Rules of Life, and Quantum Leap Big Ideas, which each have
revolutionary potential. SIAM applauds NSF's programs in these areas,
such as the Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and
Engineering, Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, TRIPODS \1\ Institutes,
and the NSF-Simons Research Centers for Mathematics of Complex
Biological Systems. While Big Ideas investments are important, SIAM
urges Congress to provide sufficient NSF support for core programs,
which have stagnated in recent years and whose foundational investments
underpin advances across many science and engineering challenges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Transdisciplinary Research on Principles of Data Science
SIAM urges strong investment in the Research and Related Activities
account (RRA) to enable robust funding for the Division of Mathematical
Sciences (DMS), the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC), and
other core programs for essential mathematical and computational
science research, workforce development programs, and early career
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
researcher support.
nsf division of mathematical sciences
The NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) in the Directorate
for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) provides core support for
all mathematical sciences. DMS also funds national mathematical science
research institutes; infrastructure, including workshops, conferences,
and equipment; and postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate training.
The activities supported by DMS and performed by SIAM members, such
as modeling, analysis, algorithms, and simulation, underpin
advancements across science and engineering and provide new ways of
obtaining insight into the nature of complex phenomena, such as the
power grid, software for military applications, and the human body.
Investment in DMS is critical because of the foundational and
cross-cutting role that mathematics and computational science play in
sustaining the Nation's economic competitiveness and national security,
and in making substantial advances on societal challenges such as
energy and public health. NSF, with its support of a broad range of
scientific areas, plays an important role in bringing U.S. expertise
together in interdisciplinary initiatives that bear on these
challenges. Agencies such as the Department of Defense and National
Institutes of Health depend on the NSF-supported applied math and
computational sciences ecosystem to fulfill their missions as they
build on NSF-funded modeling, algorithm, and simulation breakthroughs
and leverage the workforce trained using NSF support. Both agencies and
foundations partner with NSF thereby leveraging Federal funding for
maximum impact, such as with the Joint NSF/National Institutes of
Health Initiative Quantitative Approaches to Biomedical Big Data
(QuBBD).
nsf office of advanced cyberinfrastructure
Work in applied mathematics and computational science is critical
to enabling effective use of the rapid advances in information
technology and cyberinfrastructure. Programs in the NSF Office of
Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) in the Directorate for Computer and
Information Science and Engineering (CISE) focus on providing research
communities access to advanced computing capabilities to convert data
to knowledge and increase our understanding through computational
simulation and prediction.
SIAM strongly endorses OAC's efforts as a steward for computational
science, building bridges across NSF to accelerate transformational
science and engineering, and driving universities to improve their
research and education programs in this multidisciplinary area.
SIAM strongly endorses NSF's role advancing high performance
computing to meet critical national security needs, fully leverage
computing technology for economic competitiveness and scientific
discovery, and position the U.S. for sustained technical leadership.
supporting the pipeline of mathematicians and scientists
Funding for NSF's Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate
has stagnated for many years leaving critical gaps in addressing
fundamental challenges for mathematics and STEM education across
educational levels. SIAM supports EHR and its programs like Improving
Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE), which is key to both advancing
STEM professional development and developing a STEM literate citizenry.
SIAM notes that mathematical education is foundational to STEM learning
across disciplines, and NSF should continue to fund development of
mathematical and computational skills, including at the undergraduate
level when young scientists and engineers gain critical interests and
competencies.
SIAM is deeply concerned by proposals in the budget request to cut
the Graduate Research Fellowships and CAREER awards that are crucial to
the training and professional development of the next generation of
leadership in mathematical sciences research and education.
conclusion
We would like to thank you again for your ongoing support of NSF
that enables the research and education communities it supports,
including thousands of SIAM members, to undertake activities that
contribute to U.S. health, security, and economic strength. NSF needs
sustained growth to maintain our competitive edge in science and
technology, and therefore we respectfully ask that you continue robust
support of these critical programs in fiscal year 2020.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony to the Committee
on behalf of SIAM. SIAM looks forward to providing any additional
information or assistance you may ask of us during the fiscal year 2020
appropriations process.
[This statement was submitted by Lisa Fauci, President, and Anne
Gelb, Vice President for Science Policy.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Society for Industrial and Organizational
Psychology
national science foundation appropriations and language
On behalf of the Society for Industrial and Organizational
Psychology (SIOP), we are pleased to provide this written testimony to
the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and
Science, and Related Agencies for the official record. In this
testimony, SIOP urges the subcommittee to consider two requests:
provide $9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), including
strong support for the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic
Sciences (SBE), in the fiscal year 2020 appropriations process; and
include report language to encourage NSF to more rigorously implement
the science of team science in the agency's funding strategies for
large-scale and multi-disciplinary research projects.
appropriations support
SIOP is a community of nearly 10,000 members worldwide with a
common interest in promoting the research, practice, and teaching of
industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology to enhance human well-
being and performance in organizational and work settings. SIOP
provides a platform for scientists, academics, consultants, and
practitioners to collaborate, implement, and evaluate cutting-edge
approaches to workplace challenges across sectors.
SIOP and its members recognize and appreciate the challenging
fiscal environment in which we, as a nation, currently find ourselves;
however, we also have evidence that Federal investment in social and
behavioral science research directly and positively impacts the U.S.
economy, national security, and the health and well-being of Americans.
Through SBE, NSF supports basic research to develop a scientific
evidence base for improving the performance, effectiveness, management,
and development of organizations and the workforce. The methods,
measurements, and theories developed through this Federal investment
enhance business practices, policy-making, and interprofessional
collaboration. The evidence base derived from basic research in the
science of organizations is applied throughout the public and private
sectors. For example, Federal research agencies across the government,
including the Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), NSF, etc.
invest in I-O research that enhances organizational effectiveness and
human performance. Findings from this work also improve the
effectiveness of the private sector and Federal workforces.
Additionally, new pressures to address privacy, performance, and
safety in the workplace have further expanded the need for Federal
investment in social and behavioral science research, especially in I-O
psychology, emphasizing the importance of the entire work system in
addition to the individual. Cybersecurity threats, subtle and formal
discrimination, talent shortages in technical jobs, displacement, and a
host of other recent events and conditions have catalyzed the
development and application of new methodologies for studying how
people think and behave in the workplace.
SIOP also supports NSF's dedication to its ``10 Big Ideas,'' \1\
including Work at the Human-Technology Frontier, which seeks to address
and improve human-technology interactions as workplaces integrate and
adapt to artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, and
beyond. In addition to developing these technologies, successful
implementation relies on understanding human learning at various stages
of life, and improving education and training to appropriately use
these technologies.
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\1\ National Science Foundation-proposed ``10 Big Ideas'' (https://
www.nsf.gov/about/congress/reports/
nsf_big_ideas.pdf?dm_i=1ZJN,4FGWL,E29O0Q,GB891,1)
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With funding assistance from NSF and other Federal agencies, the
field of I-O psychology has developed data-driven methods to predict
successful teams, address workplace dysfunction, improve the work
experience of individuals, and enhance job performance and employee
engagement. Use of this rich knowledge and understanding has informed
and benefitted both private companies and the public workforce.
Continued Federal support for I-O psychology keeps its knowledge and
expertise in the public domain and enhances shared workplace efficiency
and understanding of worker well-being at all levels. Other
applications of I-O psychology include: improving airline safety
through Crew Resource Management, transitioning veterans and service
members to civilian jobs, managing age diversity in the workplace,
accounting for the technology-enabled workforce, and mitigating the
impact of furloughs on the Federal workforce, among many others.
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, SIOP supports an
overall fiscal year 2020 NSF budget of $9 billion. SIOP requests robust
support for the NSF SBE Directorate, which funds important research
studies, enabling an evidence base, methodology, and measurements for
improving organizational function, performance, and design across
sectors and disciplines.
science of team science
Recently, I-O psychologists with expertise in SciTS have been
engaging with NSF program officers and leadership to ensure their
findings are fully ingrained in the agency's new models and approaches
for funding cross-disciplinary science and/or large-scale research
projects (e.g. Engineering Research Centers; Science and Technology
Centers; Convergence Accelerators). SIOP feels this is important
because as NSF increasingly encourages and promotes team science,
taking additional steps to ensure evidence-based team science is
considered in multi-partner initiatives would improve communication
between researchers, productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
NSF has funded several team science studies through the Directorate
for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), and program
officers across directorates have expressed interest in leveraging team
science to improve multi-disciplinary awards, including participating
in one-on-one conversations with SIOP experts and inviting them to
present on NSF panels. SIOP appreciates NSF's interest in learning more
about leveraging SciTS to improve programs and collaborations at the
agency. Appropriations report language to further encourage this
interest would build on existing momentum and catalyze meaningful
action.
For further reference, SIOP members served on the National
Academies' Committee on the Science of Team Science, which produced the
2015 report on this topic: https://www.nap.edu/catalog/19007/enhancing-
the-effectiveness-of-team-science. Also, slides and recordings from
NSF's 2018 Accelerating Engineering Research Center Preparedness
Workshop can be found at: https://ercbiennial.asee.org/2018-pgw/
program/. SIOP members Drs. Steve Kozlowski and Kara Hall present on
team science.
requested report language
Team Science.--The Committee encourages NSF to continue to seek
ways to implement the science of team science as the agency develops
new models and approaches for funding large-scale and cross-
disciplinary science. In particular, the Committee encourages NSF to
ensure that it is implementing the recommendations from the 2015
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report,
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science.\2\
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\2\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/19007/enhancing-the-effectiveness-
of-team-science
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Thank you for the opportunity to offer SIOP's support for NSF.
Please do not hesitate to contact SIOP should you have any questions.
Additional information is also available at www.siop.org.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Talya Bauer, President, and
Jeff Hughes, Executive Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Society for Neuroscience
support for the national science foundation
Mr. Chair and Members of the subcommittee, I am Diane Lipscombe,
President of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), and it is my honor to
present this testimony on behalf of SfN in support of increased funding
for the National Science Foundation (NSF), to $9 billion, for fiscal
year 2020. I am offering this testimony in my capacity as President of
SfN, now entering its 50th year, an association of nearly 37,000
neuroscientists from all 50 States and around the world. Our members
stand with the broader scientific community in requesting increased
funding for NSF in fiscal year 2020, which will advance understanding
of basic brain functions, enable the development of new technologies to
study brain function, and catalyze yet unimagined discoveries in
neuroscience research. Moreover, SfN urges Congress to provide relief
from the draconian cuts set to take effect as a result of the Budget
Control Act (BCA). By raising the caps directed by the BCA, Congress
can ensure that we do not backslide on previous support for scientific
research and discoveries. We also urge the Committee to complete their
appropriations work in advance of the September 30 deadline to provide
predictability and stability to scientists relying on Federal funding
to support their work.
As a neuroscience researcher and Director of The Carney Institute
for Brain Science at Brown University, I see the impact of Federal
funding for neuroscience research daily. For example, at Brown
University, we are developing new approaches to the brain machine
interface, which could dramatically improve the quality of life of
individuals who depend on prosthetic devices or who may have restricted
mobility, such as paralysis resulting from a stroke or traumatic brain
injury. The success of this technically-demanding research, depends on
the combined skills of neuroscientists, computer scientists, engineers,
neurologists, neurosurgeons and mathematicians, and other disciplines
to help those impacted regain movement and independence using brain-
controlled technology. Collaboration across scientific disciplines
continues to advance new research involving computational
neuroscientists, cognitive neuroscientists, and data scientists in the
Carney Institute for Brain Science at Brown. This collaboration
develops new mathematical approaches for extracting content rich
information from large data sets of human brain activity. Computational
tools are now essential to neuroscience research as we study massive
datasets resulting from the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative
Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, including those that map the
millions of connections between neurons and enable us to understand
high level brain function.
NSF funded research has contributed significantly to transformative
scientific discoveries. Notably, since 1952, 217 Nobel Prize recipients
were recipients of NSF funding. NSF provides the investments needed in
basic science to bring about the next breakthroughs in technology,
health, and education toward improved well-being for all Americans.
Increasing the NSF budget is thus critical to the continued ability of
researchers to make impactful scientific advancements, speed innovative
research, and allow for the development of powerful tools to advance
our understanding of brain function. As we age, the incidence of brain
disease grows at a frightening rate and we must double down on our
collective efforts to diagnose and treat them.
Successful, impactful neuroscience research requires collaboration
across disciplines and an unbroken series of funding streams, and NSF-
funded research allows for some of our most significant scientific
achievements. As we take on more and more challenging research
problems, for example: ``why do neurons die too soon in one in three of
people over the age of 65?'', we are increasingly dependent on new
tools to help us examine aging human brains without causing damage.
These endeavors depend on support from the Federal Government--in fact,
27 percent of the Federal budget for basic science is funded by NSF.
NSF funding is critical for stimulating new ideas and tools to study
the human brain, the most ``complex biological structure on Earth",\1\
in both normal and diseased patients.
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\1\ https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=128239
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As the subcommittee continues its work for fiscal year 2020, we ask
that Congress ensure that final fiscal year 2020 funding is approved
before the end of fiscal year 2019. Reliance on Continuing Resolutions
(CR) in place of regular appropriations has immediate and critical
implications for scientists working in the neuroscience field. We are
currently experiencing severe restrictions in the ability of NSF to
fund the work of many basic young scientists of extraordinary
potential. Even worse are government shutdowns, which pause all science
being performed at affected agencies. The 35-day shutdown that occurred
earlier this year caused a great deal of damage to NSF-funded projects,
halting scientific discovery. There is no substitute for robust,
sustained, and predictable funding for NSF-supported research.
The Committee's support for NSF's ``Understanding the Brain'' (UtB)
initiative, which is part of the cross-agency BRAIN Initiative, is a
critical piece of our Nation's neuroscience effort. Through the UtB
initiative, NSF empowers researchers to study principles and processes
underlying memories, thoughts, and complex behaviors. Federal
investment into the BRAIN Initiative, including NSF funding, will
enable the development of new tools and technologies needed to more
deeply map brain functions for a plethora of therapeutic applications.
Advances in basic science will ultimately speed discoveries in
clinical and translational research. Our discoveries, sometimes
unexpected, advance basic knowledge of brain function and reveal new
therapeutic targets to treat brain disorders affecting millions of
people around the world. Support for basic neuroscience research,
including at NSF, is a critical function of the Federal Government in
advancing the foundation for advancements in public and individual
health, education, and workforce development. We are extremely
encouraged by the pace of discovery in neuroscience and the promise it
offers for future treatments of neurological disorders. Some recent,
exciting advancements include the following:
the impacts of neuroscience research
Regulation of neuronal communication
My research seeks to understand how neurons communicate with each
other. Brain function is defined by neurons communicating information
from cell to cell, and from one brain region to another. Communication
between neurons is carried across spaces called synapses by
neurotransmitters. The number of neurotransmitters available to
transmit these signals is controlled by ``gatekeepers,'' which ensure
appropriate size responses. Many therapeutic drugs used in the clinic
act on these molecular gatekeepers to dial up or down the flow of
communication in the brain. I describe the basic properties of
gatekeepers and show how they are generated in specific neurons of the
brain and nervous system. My work is basic in nature, but these
findings inform the development of new therapeutics for treating major
neurological diseases, including chronic pain, migraine, epilepsy, and
neuropsychiatric disorders.
Research infrastructure to improve understanding of the brain
Improving our understanding of the brain requires a national
research infrastructure, where partnerships can be leveraged towards
advances in neuroscience. NSF's Next Generation Networks for
Neuroscience (NeuroNex) program facilitates partnerships and develops
innovative capabilities, including resources, theoretical frameworks,
and computational modeling to advance neuroscience research. NSF
support for NeuroNex aids in developing new conceptual tools for
understanding how neuronal activity gives rise to behavior. In one of
the NeuroNex awarded projects, a team of scientists, including myself
and three others, are developing new light-emitting molecules--think of
a fire fly--for use in studying and correcting abnormal brain activity.
The neurotechnologies arising from NeuroNex National Hubs will provide
approaches to record, visualize, and manipulate neuronal activity,
facilitating diagnosis and treatment of abnormal brain function. An
essential aspect of all NeuroNex awards are activities that support
workforce training to ensure that we prepare the next generation of
neuroscience researchers to use and improve on technologies for
improving our understanding of the brain. NSF, therefore, makes a
unique contribution to not only developing new technologies in
neuroscience but also combining this with training neuroscientists--
both are critical to ensure that scientific ideas are translated into
technologies and advanced treatments for neuroscience.
Interdisciplinary approaches to neuroscience
Understanding how the human brain functions requires integrative
research teams of the best scientists from a range of disciplines,
including mathematics, engineering, and biology. NSF recognizes the
power of this level of collaboration to advance research and has funded
several interdisciplinary projects in neuroscience and cognitive
science. One NSF funded project investigates how networks of neurons
work together to perceive the world around us and produce coordinated
muscle movements. This requires simultaneous, parallel recording of a
massive number of brain regions for prolonged periods of time, followed
by utilizing machine learning methods to extract meaningful
information. This work, only possible through collaborations of
neuroscientists with data scientists and computer scientists, has the
potential to benefit individuals who have lost the ability to control
their limb movement due to brain injury or disease. The ability to
record from many individual regions of the brain is revolutionizing our
ability to understand complex brain function, and the use of neural
stimulation to correct abnormal brain activity is being refined. NSF is
funding collaborations with mathematicians, engineers, and
neuroscientists to incorporate smart, closed-loop feedback systems to
improve therapeutic brain stimulation only when necessary for patients
with limited ability to move their limbs, including Parkinson's disease
patients and those suffering from chronic pain. In these exciting times
for science, NSF is a critical front-line funder of these and many
other cross disciplinary research collaborations.
summary and conclusion
NSF funding is critical for the future of biomedical research and
for training the next generation of researchers, but it is also a major
driver of the United States' economy. While our Nation is the global
leader, other countries are also investing increasing amounts into
biomedical research. Congress must continue to support basic research
in order to fuel scientific discoveries, maintain our preeminence as a
leader in the field, and continue to drive the United States economy
into the future. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with mental
illness, early childhood stress has lasting impacts through adulthood,
and the growth of age-related neurological disorders is still
increasing. The only way to change the trajectory of neurological and
psychiatric disorders is to increase Federal Government investment in
biomedical research.
For these reasons, the SfN urges the subcommittee to appropriate no
less than $9 billion to NSF. Just as significantly as providing Federal
funds, we also implore you to complete your action on the fiscal year
2020 appropriations bill on time, thus avoiding any need for a
Continuing Resolution or any chance of a government shutdown, as we saw
earlier this year.
On behalf of the Society for Neuroscience, we thank Congress for
its support and look forward to working with you as you undertake your
work on the fiscal year 2020 appropriations process. SfN is here to be
a resource for you, now and into the future, in order to ensure that
basic research remains central to our economy and is supported by our
Nation's leaders.
[This statement was submitted by Diane Lipscombe, President.]
______
Prepared Statement of Timothy McCarthy deg.
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Timothy McCarthy, District Court Judge,
Johnson County, Kansas
on behalf of the
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen and distinguished Members of
the subcommittee, I am honored to have the opportunity to submit my
testimony on behalf of this Nation's over 3,000 treatment courts,
including drug courts and veterans treatment courts, and the 150,000
people they will connect to life-saving addiction and mental health
treatment this year. Given the unprecedented success of these programs,
and the urgent and growing need for solutions to the addiction epidemic
that promote both public health and public safety, I am requesting the
Congress maintain the enacted fiscal year 2019 numbers of $77 million
for the authorized Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program (Public Law
115-271) and $22 million for the authorized Veterans Treatment Court
Program at the Department of Justice (Public Law 114-198).
As a judge, I see firsthand the devastation addiction causes
individuals, their families and the community. Before treatment courts,
there were few sentencing options to break the cycle of addiction and
related crime. I now have the honor of presiding over the Johnson
County Veterans Treatment Court, the first such court in the State of
Kansas. Federal funding from the Department of Justice helped us
launch, sustain and grow our program. Simply put, it has saved lives.
Our veterans treatment court opened in early 2016 after we
recognized that too many veterans were coming before the courts to face
charges for crimes stemming from substance use and mental health
disorders. Often, these are men and women who served their country
honorably--many in combat--and have simply lost their way.
Johnson County resident, Evan Zimmerman served 4 years in the
United States Marine Corps, traveling the world at the ready to defend
our freedom. When he completed his service, he struggled to adjust to
life a home. Alcohol helped him cope, opioids kept him numb. His drug
use spiraled and eventually he was using heroin and methamphetamine. As
Evan's life fell apart, he drifted further and further away from the
honorable soldier he once was. Like many, he turned to stealing to
support his habit. When I met him, he was charged with felony theft and
facing several years in prison.
In veterans treatment court, Evan was surrounded by other veterans
making it easier to admit he had a problem and accept the help that was
being offered. With the support of the veterans treatment court team,
Evan received mental health treatment and, as he began to embrace
recovery, he was connected to additional local, State and Federal
resources to put his life back together. Along the way, Evan met
regularly with a volunteer veteran mentor who helped keep him on the
right path.
I watched as Evan slowly turned back into the courageous young man
who signed on the dotted line to serve his country. I saw him become a
dedicated father, find passion in his work and be at service to his
community.
Today, Evan is a proud graduate of the Johnson County Veterans
Treatment Court. He has full custody of his 2-year-old daughter and is
a manager for a screen-printing company where he supervises 10 people.
I often think of how much better off we are with Evan in the community
as opposed to behind bars.
I led the effort to establish a veterans treatment court in Johnson
County. In 2014, we received DOJ-funded training on starting a veterans
treatment court. This training was instrumental to our successful
planning and, ultimately, to Evan's success. Two years ago, we were
awarded a DOJ grant so that we could expand our capacity. I know
firsthand the impact and importance of this Federal funding. Had it not
been for the DOJ funding, we would not be able to serve more veterans
in crisis.
The training we received ensured our veterans treatment court
follows best practices. Our program includes a track for both diversion
and probation cases. We determine eligibility by using an evidence-
based risk/needs assessment and, by partnering with our county mental
health association, we are able to accept some veterans who are not
eligible for services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. For
those who are eligible, a veterans justice outreach representative from
our local VA medical center is in court to ensure they are connected to
evidence-based treatment--including addiction medication when
appropriate.
I work with treatment providers, law enforcement, probation,
defense and prosecution to provide ongoing supervision, support and
accountability. Our team responds to non-compliance swiftly and
appropriately, and rewards our participants when they achieve an
important milestone. Over the course of 12 or 18 months, we address the
myriad of issues that may be preventing long-term recovery.
Research continues to confirm that this comprehensive approach
works. The Government Accountability Office finds drug courts reduce
crime by up to 58 percent. Widely regarded as the most comprehensive
study on drug court to date, the Department of Justice National
Institute of Justice Multi-Site Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) confirmed
drug court significantly reduces both drug use and crime, and found
cost savings averaging $6,000 for every individual served.
This community-based approach identifies and meets individual needs
beyond clinical treatment. The MADCE found drug courts improve
education, employment, housing and financial stability for nearly all
participants. They are proven to promote family reunification, reduce
foster care placements and increase the rate of addicted mothers
delivering babies who are fully drug-free.
In 2016, Community Mental Health Journal released the first
published study on veterans treatment courts and concluded that
participating veterans experienced significant improvement with
depression, PTSD and substance use, as well as with critical social
issues including housing, emotional well-being, relationships and
overall functioning. The study further concluded that veterans who
receive trauma-specific treatment and mentoring not only experienced
better clinical outcomes, they reported feeling more socially
connected.
Behind the statistics, however, are real people who come before me
mired in the deepest depths of addiction; individuals with little hope
for a future without drugs; who've been given up on by their friends
and families. People like Don Miller, who spent 4 years in Iraq with
the United States Army. For years after coming home he was haunted by
the combat he had experienced, his anxiety exacerbated by untreated
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He turned to substances to cope
and his life spiraled out of control. When he first appeared before me
in veterans treatment court, he was facing a plethora of legal,
financial, family, medical and even dental issues. Don could have been
lost to the system, but instead we went to work helping him rebuild his
life.
In January, Don graduated from veterans treatment court. No one in
attendance will forget what he said that day. During the ceremony he
held up a crisp $20 bill and crumpled it into a ball. He then unfolded
it and observed that the value of the bill was unchanged. He said: ``No
matter how life sullies our minds, souls and beliefs, human beings
still have value. I thought there was no way to ever get back to being
a hero, whether it be in the eyes of society or in the eyes of my own
wife and children... veterans court really stepped in and restored my
faith in humanity. They've really shown me sincere, true empathy and
really took some of those sorrows that I was carrying around, some of
those burdens, off my back.''
Veterans treatment court gave Don the opportunity for redemption.
Not only that, it gave his wife back her husband, his children their
father, and our community an inspiring civic asset.
Today, there are 15,000 veterans like Evan and Don participating in
over 400 veterans treatment courts across the country. This is a
fraction of the 150,000 individuals who are currently receiving
treatment in a drug court or veterans treatment court nationwide.
What started as an experiment three decades ago, drug courts and
veterans treatment courts are today the most successful strategy for
addressing addiction and mental health in the justice system. Like so
many communities, Johnson County has been devastated by the opioid
epidemic and the greater addiction epidemic gripping this Nation. Drug
courts and veterans treatment courts ensure there is an effective,
evidence-based response that saves lives, reunites families and makes
the community safer.
I encourage this committee to focus on proven programs which
guarantee financial returns and measurable success. There is no better
example than drug courts and veterans treatment court.
______
Prepared Statement of the Tribal Law and Policy Institute
On behalf of the Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI), this
testimony addresses important programs in the Department of Justice and
Department of Commerce. TLPI is a 100 percent Native American operated
non-profit corporation organized to design and deliver education,
research, training, and technical assistance programs which promote the
enhancement of justice in Indian country and the health, well-being,
and culture of Native peoples. Specifically, TLPI joins the National
Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in requesting:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCAI Fiscal Year 2020
Agency and Program Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOJ: Tribal Grants.--Eliminate competitive Use DOJ appropriations as
grant funding process and utilize DOJ base funding with Tribes
appropriations as base funding where setting own priorities
Tribes determine priorities.
DOJ: Tribal Set-Aside from Office of Create a 10 percent Tribal
Justice Programs. set-aside for all
discretionary Office of
Justice Programs (OJP)
programs
DOJ: Tribal Youth Program under the $25,000,000
Juvenile Accountability Block Grants
Program.
DOJ: Crime Victims Fund................... Maintain the 5 percent set-
aside for Tribal
governments
DOJ: Community Oriented Policing Services $52,000,000
(COPS) Tribal Law Enforcement.
DOJ: Tribal programs under the Violence Provide full authorized
Against Women Act. amount
Commerce: 2020 Census..................... Provide the Census Bureau
with at least $8.45 billion
in fiscal year 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
department of justice
The public safety problems that continue to plague Tribal
communities are the result of decades of gross underfunding for Tribal
criminal justice systems; a uniquely complex jurisdictional scheme; and
the historic, abject failure by the Federal Government to fulfill its
public safety obligations on American Indian and Alaska Native lands.
Crime rates in Tribal communities are among the highest in the Nation
and American Indians and Alaska Natives experience rates of violent
crime that are 2.5 times the national average. Residents and visitors
on Tribal lands deserve the safety and security that is taken for
granted outside of Indian Country. Increased and streamlined funding in
the following program areas will have a huge impact on safety in Tribal
communities for Tribal citizens, residents, and visitors to Tribal
lands.
Reform the CTAS Process.--DOJ must rethink how it administers
Tribal funding. The current Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation
(CTAS) process needs to be improved in regard to transparency of
originating funding streams, how Tribes are required to apply for
funding, and how grant awards are made and managed. The current
solicitation is incredibly burdensome for Tribes and requires Tribes to
shoehorn their needs to meet DOJ's funding priorities. It requires
Tribes to coordinate and prove strategic coordination across purpose
areas and agencies, a requirement not imposed on their State
counterparts. Yet despite a single solicitation, the purpose areas are
not meaningfully coordinated such that multiple grant awards results in
multiple administering agencies all with varying requirements, placing
a tremendous unnecessary administrative burden on Tribal governments.
Continue to include Tribal governments in disbursements from the
Crime Victims Fund (a mandatory account).--The Crime Victims Fund (CVF)
is the Federal Government's primary funding source for providing
services to victims of crime. TLPI expresses our sincere gratitude to
appropriators for providing a direct, non-competitive funding stream
for Tribal governments from the CVF for the first time in fiscal year
2018 and again in fiscal year 2019. This was an immense victory! For
this funding to achieve its purpose, however, it needs to be recurring
funds that Tribal governments can plan on in order to ensure program
stability for victims for the long term. We urge appropriators to keep
disbursements from the CVF at the increased level and to direct an
amount equal to 5 percent of overall CVF disbursements to Tribal
governments.
Importantly, these funds must be meaningfully distributed such that
Tribes have actual access to these funds. fiscal year 2018 funds were
distributed via the burdensome CTAS process as detailed above. Worse,
however, CTAS did not announce the sudden funding change in this
purpose area, or its intention to disburse the new set-aside funds
through this competitive process that uses DOJ priorities. This is an
inadequate attempt to distribute these necessary funds to Indian
country, which through this set-aside, Congress has mandated. CTAS was
never the appropriate mechanism for disbursement. The funds should be
disbursed via formula base funding to all Tribes. But especially
because CTAS did not indicate that the OVC purpose area was now funded
by the set-aside, any analysis of the number or quality of CTAS
applications simply cannot be used as a metric for Tribal interest or
need.
Additionally, we encourage DOJ to take a broad view of the types of
victim services programming that can be supported through DOJ funding.
The needs in tribal communities differ in significant ways from State
and local communities. Victims in Tribal communities are in need of
traditional victim services. They also need, however, to know that
there is 9-1-1 service in their communities and a law enforcement
officer who can respond when criminal victimization is occurring. We
encourage DOJ to ask Congress for additional flexibility in the use of
CVF funds in Tribal communities.
Create a streamlined Tribal allocation across Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) programs.--For several years the administration has
proposed bill language that would streamline and consolidate OJP Tribal
programs by allocating 7 percent from all discretionary OJP programs to
address Indian country public safety and Tribal justice needs. In past
years, both the House and Senate CJS Subcommittees have supported this
request, but it has never been enacted. One of the biggest shortcomings
of DOJ Tribal funding is that it is administered as competitive
funding. In order to obtain this funding, Tribal nations must compete
against each other under priorities and guidelines established by DOJ.
As a result, Tribal nations must develop projects that align with
changing DOJ priorities and cannot count on funding continuing beyond
the current grant period. A streamlined OJP Tribal allocation would
significantly improve the Federal funding process. Further, the Tribal
allocation would give Tribal nations the flexibility to develop a
detailed strategic plan on how best to spend those resources.
If Congress declines to adopt the flexible allocation across OJP
programs, restore fiscal year 2010 levels of $25 million in funding for
the Tribal Youth Program under the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants
program.--Although Native children compromise only 2.2 percent of the
overall youth population, they are arrested at a rate of more than two-
to-three times that of other ethnic groups. According to a recent DOJ
report, ``[s]ubstance abuse, depression, and gang involvement fuel a
vast majority of the offenses for which American Indian juveniles are
disproportionately confined.'' Funding for the Tribal Youth Program has
decreased significantly in recent years (fiscal year 2018 disbursed
only $3 million to TYP grantees, up from $1.9 million in fiscal year
2017) and should be restored to its fiscal year 2010 level of $25
million.
Increase funding of Tribal law enforcement programs under DOJ's
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grants to $52 million.--
Since the creation of the COPS Office, more than 2,000 grants totaling
more than $400 million have been awarded to Tribal nations to hire more
than 1,700 new or redeployed law enforcement officers. It has also
helped Tribal nations to obtain necessary law enforcement training,
equipment, vehicles, and technology. Yet, there is still a tremendous
unmet need within Tribal justice systems for more COPS funding. The
COPS Office has acknowledged that due to limited resources, it has not
been able to adequately fund Tribal justice systems, particularly in
the area of hiring/retaining Tribal law enforcement officers. Indian
Country urges Congress to significantly increase funding for Tribal law
enforcement programs under the COPS program.
Fully fund the programs authorized in the Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA), including the funds authorized for Tribal implementation of
VAWA special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction.--It is estimated
that over 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women will
experience violent victimization in their lifetimes. OVW provides
funding to Tribal governments to address violence against women in
their communities. OVW's largest source of funding for Tribal
governments is the Grants to Tribal Governments Program, which is
funded via statutory allocations from other OVW programs. Fully-funding
these OVW programs results in full funding for the Grants to Tribal
Governments Program.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013)
recognized and affirmed the inherent sovereign authority of Indian
Tribes to exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
(SDVCJ) over all persons--Indian and non-Indian--who commit crimes of
dating violence, domestic violence, and violations of protection orders
within Indian country. The bill authorized $5 million per year for 5
years for Indian Tribes to implement the VAWA 2013 provisions and
otherwise strengthen Tribal justice systems. In fiscal year 2019, $4
million was appropriated for this program. We urge Congress to
appropriate the full amount authorized for VAWA implementation purposes
so that more communities are able to take advantage of this lifesaving
law.
department of commerce
TLPI agrees with the NCAI Commerce Department funding
recommendations, but we wanted to highlight the following.--Provide the
Census Bureau with at least $8.45 billion in fiscal year 2020. An
accurate census count is necessary to ensure the fair distribution of
billions of dollars to Tribal nations and American Indian/Alaska Native
people across the United States. Native people, especially on
reservations and in Alaska Native villages, have been historically
underrepresented in the census. In the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau
estimates that American Indians and Alaska Natives living on
reservations or in Native villages were undercounted by approximately
4.9 percent, more than double the undercount rate of the next closest
population group. The President's Budget request was significantly
lower than Secretary Ross's estimates of overall costs, and we urge
Congress to ensure sufficient funding for a successful 2020 Census,
including funding for Questionnaire Assistance Centers, which currently
are not included in the Census Bureau's operational plan. With only
half the number of Regional Census Centers and local census offices
across the country, it will be important to expand the field footprint,
to provide 'safe space' for people who do not have reliable Internet
access, are wary of using the telephone to respond, or need assistance
filling out a paper form, to meet with sworn Census Bureau employees
near where they live.
conclusion
The underfunding of Tribal justice systems is a dereliction of the
Federal trust responsibility that results in lost lives, high rates of
criminal victimization, and unaddressed trauma for generations of
victims. Most recently, the BIA submitted a report to Congress
estimating that to provide a reasonable base level of funding to all
federally-recognized Tribes: $1 billion is needed for Tribal law
enforcement, $1 billion is needed for Tribal courts, and $222.8 million
is needed for detention (we are not aware of a similar estimate of need
for traditional victim services programs). Based on recent
appropriation levels, BIA is generally funding Tribal law enforcement
at about 20 percent of estimated need, Tribal detention at about 40
percent of estimated need, and Tribal courts at a dismal 3 percent of
estimated need. We join NCAI in encouraging the DOJ to consider asking
Congress for additional flexibility in the use of CVF funds in Tribal
communities. In addition to direct appropriation of Tribal specific
funding, we encourage the DOJ to take a broad view of the types of
victim services programming that can be supported through DOJ funding.
Thank you for your consideration of this testimony. For more
information, please contact TLPI Executive Director, Jerry Gardner at:
[email protected].
______
Prepared Statement of the United States Section of the Pacific Salmon
Commission
national marine fisheries service
Mr. Chairman, and Honorable Members of the Committee, I am W. Ron
Allen, the Alternate Tribal Commissioner and Chair for the U.S. Section
Budget Committee of the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC). I am also the
Tribal Chairman/CEO of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe located on the
northern Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The U.S. Section
prepares annual budgets for the implementation of the Pacific Salmon
Treaty.
Department of Commerce funding in support of implementing the
Pacific Salmon Treaty is part of the Salmon Management Activities
account in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) budget. Funding
in the Department of Commerce budget intended for the programs to
fulfill national commitments created by the Treaty was $13,113,113 in
the 2017 budget. The U.S. and Canada completed negotiations of revised
Annex Chapters to the Treaty in 2018. The U.S. Section estimates that
annual operational costs of $42,260,604 plus $53,561,341 in one-time
implementation costs is needed for fiscal year 2020 to implement
national commitments created by the Treaty.
The implementation of the Treaty is funded through the Departments
of Commerce, Interior and State. The Department of Commerce principally
funds programs conducted by the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
Alaska and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The cost of programs
conducted by the States to fulfill national commitments created by the
Treaty are substantially greater than the funding provided in the NMFS
budget in past years. Consequently the States have supplemented the
Federal Treaty appropriations from other sources, including State
general funds. Many of those funding sources are limited or no longer
available.
The US Section recommends that the Pacific Salmon Treaty line item
in the Salmon Management Activities section of the National Marine
Fisheries Service budget be funded at $42,260,604 for fiscal year 2020.
This line item includes $20,698,063 to provide base support for the
States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The National Marine
Fisheries Service is funded at $5,803,190 to conduct salmon stock
assessments and fishery management programs required to implement the
Treaty's conservation and allocation provisions for Coho, Sockeye,
Chinook, Chum, and Pink salmon fisheries. Effective, science-based
implementation of negotiated salmon fishing arrangements and abundance-
based management approaches for Chinook, southern Coho and Northern
Boundary and Transboundary River salmon fisheries. The US Section
recommends annual operational costs of $2,800,000 for improving the
Coded Wire Tag Program, $3,920,000 to improve catch and escapement
estimates, $5,387,200 for Puget Sound critical stocks, and $5,600,000
to increase prey availability for southern resident killer whales.
The Chinook Salmon Agreement line item in the Salmon Management
Activities was funded at $1,440,947 in fiscal year 2017 representing a
reduction from previous years. The US Section recommends to fund
$2,016,000 to support research and stock assessments necessary to
acquire and analyze the technical information needed to fully implement
the abundance-based Chinook Salmon management program provided for by
the Treaty. The States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and
the 25 Treaty Tribes conduct projects selected in a rigorous
competitive process.
The International Fisheries Commissions line, under Regional
Councils and Fisheries Commissions in the NMFS budget was funded at
$367,000 and provides the U.S. contribution to bilateral cooperative
salmon enhancement on the transboundary river systems, which rise in
Canada and flow to the sea through Southeast Alaska. This project was
established in 1988 to meet U.S. obligations specified in the Treaty
and had been previously funded at $400,000 annually.
The core Treaty implementation projects included in the Pacific
Salmon Treaty line, and the U.S. Chinook Agreement line under Salmon
Management Activities, as well as the International Fisheries
Commission line under Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions
consist of a wide range of stock assessment, fishery monitoring, and
technical support activities for all five species of Pacific salmon in
the fisheries and rivers between Cape Suckling in Alaska to Cape Falcon
in Oregon. The States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the
National Marine Fisheries Service conduct a wide range of programs for
salmon stock abundance assessment, escapement enumeration, stock
distribution, and fishery catch and effort information. The information
is used to establish fishing seasons, harvest levels, and
accountability to the provisions of Treaty fishing regimes.
Like many other programs, funding to implement the Pacific Salmon
Treaty decreased in recent years. Prior to that, the base annual Treaty
implementation funding remained essentially flat since the inception of
the Treaty in 1985. In order to continue to fulfill the Federal
commitments created by the Treaty, as costs and complexity increased
over time, the States had to augment Federal funding with other Federal
and State resources. However, alternative sources of funding have seen
reductions or, in some cases, have been eliminated.
Negotiations to revise the provisions of five annex chapters to the
Treaty were successfully completed in 2018. The revised provisions will
last for 10 years. These chapters contain the specifics for
implementing the Treaty for each salmon species in each geographic
area. An agreement in principle has been reached for the Transboundary,
Coho, and Chum chapters. Agreements for the Northern Boundary and
Chinook chapters should be reached in the near future. The revised
chapters represent the combined efforts of the participants to ensure
healthy salmon populations for the next 10 years. They also require
commitments to increase efforts to improve upon current management
strategies for numerous salmon populations. The provisions for a
revised Fraser River chapter will be completed in 2019.
Finally, you should consider the fact that the value of the
commercial harvest of salmon subject to the Treaty and managed at
productive levels under the Treaty, supports the infrastructure of many
coastal and inland communities. The value of the commercial and
recreational fisheries, and the economic diversity they provide for
local communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, is
immense. The Pacific Salmon Commission recently funded an economic
study of these fisheries and determined that this resource creates
thousands of jobs and is a multi-billion dollar industry. The value of
these fish to the 25 Treaty Tribes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
Alaska goes far beyond their monetary value, to the cultural and
religious lives of Indian people. A significant monetary investment is
focused on salmon due to the listings of Pacific Northwest salmon
populations under the Endangered Species Act.
Given these resources, we can continue to utilize the Pacific
Salmon Commission to develop recommendations that help with the
development and implementation of solutions to minimizing impacts on
listed stocks. We continue to work towards the true intent of the
Treaty, and with your support, we will manage this shared resource for
mutual enhancements and benefits.
This concludes the statement of the U.S. Section of the Pacific
Salmon Commission submitted for consideration by your Committee. We
wish to thank the Committee for the support given to us in the past.
Please let us know if we can supply additional information or respond
to any questions the Committee Members may have.
Thank you
[This statement was submitted by W. Ron Allen, Chair.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Western Governors' Association
Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Shaheen, and Members of the
subcommittee, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) appreciates the
opportunity to comment on two items within the jurisdiction of the
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, both
of which relate to the U.S. Department of Commerce. WGA is an
independent organization representing the Governors of 19 western
States and 3 U.S territories in the Pacific. The Association is an
instrument of the Governors for bipartisan policy development,
information-sharing and collective action on issues of critical
importance to the western United States.
Western Governors support adequate funding of the National
Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) program under the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We are well-
acquainted with the significant environmental, economic, and social
effects of drought on the West and its communities. The cyclical nature
of drought conditions, as well as increased populations and their
dependence on limited water resources, keep drought at the forefront of
western water issues. Drought contributes to the incidence of forest
and rangeland wildfire, impairs ecosystems and wildlife habitat,
degrades agricultural productivity, and poses threats to municipal and
industrial water supplies. A growing population creates challenges for
water management across the West--from the Great Plains to the
Intermountain West to the coastal, estuarine and marine environments of
the Pacific States and islands. Planning for an adequate, reliable and
clean water supply requires accurate and complete water and weather
information.
NIDIS promotes a coordinated and integrated approach to managing
future drought. This approach involves improved forecasting and
monitoring which provides the kind of authoritative, objective and
timely drought information that farmers, water managers, decision-
makers, and local governments require for effective drought preparation
and response. Through NIDIS, NOAA is building a network of early
warning systems for drought while working with local resource managers
to identify and address unique regional drought information needs.
Western Governors value the approach used to build and improve
NIDIS. Rather than creating a new NIDIS bureaucracy, the system draws
from existing capacity in States, universities and multiple Federal
agencies, as called for in the original authorizing legislation. Given
our shared fiscal challenges, we regard this as a model for Federal-
State collaboration in shared information services.
Water users throughout the West--including farmers, ranchers,
Tribes, land managers, business owners, recreationalists, wildlife
managers, and decision-makers at all levels of government--must be able
to assess the risks of drought before its onset in order to make
informed decisions and implement effective mitigation measures. For
these reasons, Western Governors request continued support and adequate
funding of the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center
precipitation forecasts and the NIDIS program, as they perform a
valuable role in western water management and drought response.
Western Governors also support adequate funding for the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to improve the
accuracy and granularity of measuring broadband data coverage. Many
western communities lack access to broadband Internet due to the high
cost of infrastructure and the low number of customers in potential
service areas. This has left many rural businesses at a competitive
disadvantage and citizens without access to telework, telemedicine and
distance learning opportunities. Deployment of broadband infrastructure
to these underserved and unserved communities requires an accurate
picture of broadband availability nationwide. Unfortunately, broadband
coverage is often overstated in rural western communities due to
reporting measures based on census blocks. NTIA can provide a valuable
service by improving our understanding of broadband infrastructure in
rural communities. We also encourage coordination of data collection
strategies among the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Department
of Agriculture and other agencies involved in broadband mapping and
deployment.
Western Governors recognize the enormous challenge you have in
balancing competing funding priorities, and we appreciate the
difficulty of the decisions the subcommittee must make. These
recommendations are offered in a spirit of cooperation and respect, and
WGA is prepared to assist you in discharging these critical and
challenging responsibilities.
[This statement was submitted by James D. Ogsbury, Executive
Director.]
______
Prepared Statement of the YMCA of the USA
support of the youth mentoring grant
Thank you, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Shaheen, for the
opportunity to provide testimony on behalf of our Nation's 2,700 YMCAs
and the 9 million youth we serve annually. Every day, Ys work to
address critical social issues that affect our Nation's youth and limit
their opportunities for success, and providing youth with positive role
models and caring adults is essential to this work. That is why the Y
is committed to mentoring. As President and CEO of YMCA of the USA (Y-
USA), I believe that youth mentoring is an effective strategy to
improve the long-term outcomes for our Nation's youth, and I submit
this testimony in support of the Youth Mentoring Program (Part G),
administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention (OJJDP) at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The OJJDP Youth Mentoring Program is the only remaining Federal
grant exclusively dedicated to mentoring. This important funding stream
provides grants to youth-serving organizations to fund quality
mentoring programs, grounded in evidence-based research, to improve
outcomes for at-risk and high-risk youth. Federal investments in
mentoring programs have decreased significantly over time, and funding
for the Youth Mentoring Program has been inconsistent and has not fully
met the needs of at-risk youth. These fluctuations have had a direct
impact on youth-serving organizations that use these funds to provide
much-needed mentoring services in the communities they serve. I
encourage the Committee to support increased funding for this program
by providing $120 million for fiscal year 2020.
mentoring programs improve youth outcomes
There are significant returns on investment associated with quality
mentoring relationships, not just for the youth served, but also their
mentors and society at large. With a mentor, at-risk youth are 52
percent less likely than their peers to skip a day of school, 55
percent more likely to be enrolled in college and 78 percent more
likely to volunteer regularly in their communities. Community-based
mentoring programs are also an effective strategy to prevent youth
involvement in the juvenile justice system and to redirect a young
person away from harmful activities and behaviors. Given these
outcomes, it's disheartening to know that an estimated 1 in 3 young
people will grow up without a mentor.
At the Y, we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to
discover who they are and what they can achieve. Mentoring is, and
always has been, a component of our youth development programming.
Through mentoring, Ys provide youth with positive adult role models who
support young people through their challenges and accomplishments; show
them that they matter; and improve their self-esteem, decisionmaking
skills, academic performance and interpersonal relationships. Quality
mentoring programs help youth develop life and social skills, improve
their academic achievement, develop leadership skills, explore career
paths and realize their full potential.
evidence-based mentoring at the ymca
With support from OJJDP's Youth Mentoring Program, the Y has been
able to increase our impact in the lives of at-risk youth. Since 2013,
Y-USA has received $12 million from the Youth Mentoring Program, which
we have sub-granted to YMCAs to support REACH & RISE, the Y's
evidence-based mentoring program. These funds have enabled the Y to
scale REACH & RISE nationally, serving thousands of young people who
are at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system by helping them
achieve positive academic and personal outcomes. Today, 36 Ys in 32
States offer this program. REACH & RISE serves youth ages 6-17 who
lack role models and live in communities challenged by poverty, crime,
substance misuse, gangs, single-parent households and other social
issues. Developed in 1992 by the YMCA of San Francisco, REACH & RISE
is a therapeutic mentoring program that combines evidence-based
practices, mental health approaches, rigorous mentor training and a
mentee matching system to deliver positive life experiences for youth.
Providing young people with positive, consistent and nurturing
relationships with adults leads to personal growth and development, and
social and economic opportunity.
The original REACH & RISE model is a one-to-one mentoring program
where Y staff with a mental health background match each youth with an
adult for 12 to 18 months of mentoring. This experience improves
youth's self-esteem, decisionmaking skills, school performance and
interpersonal relationships. In 2016, the Y expanded our REACH & RISE
one-to-one model to also include small-group mentoring. Using a ratio
of two mentors for every six youth, this approach provides youth with
the opportunity to receive support from peers as well as dedicated
mentors trained through the traditional REACH & RISE curriculum. The
group-mentoring program includes activities to help youth build trust
with each other and skills such as problem-solving, communication and
anger management.
the impact of reach & rise
Maverick Bishop is among the thousands of youth whose lives have
been transformed by the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Program through REACH &
RISE. Maverick grew up in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and
homelessness, and had a hard time fitting in at school. Eventually, he
and his mother found the YMCA of San Francisco's REACH & RISE program,
where he was matched with a local businessman. He recalls that ``having
a good mentor helped me block out what I was going through on a day-to
day-basis and just enjoy the little things that keep us going.''
In 2016, Maverick testified before the House Democratic Steering
and Policy Committee and shared his story. He concluded his testimony
by stating: ``Every child deserves an opportunity to better themselves
and earn their place as a contributing member in our society. Through
my journey I made lifelong friendships and learned no matter what
situation you're in, regardless of your past or what class you fall
under, it doesn't define who you are as a person. Anyone can change,
beat the odds and manifest your own miracles! I hope the Committee will
open doors for more young people like myself through continued funding
for important mentoring programs like the YMCA REACH & RISE Mentoring
Program.''
Today, Maverick is a journeyman carpenter, employed by his mentor
and friend. Maverick's story demonstrates the power of quality
mentoring and the importance of Federal funding in support of these
programs.
With this testimony, I add the Y's voice in support of this
important funding stream, which has changed the trajectory of the lives
of so many youth we serve. The Youth Mentoring Grant Program is
essential, and I urge Congress to increase funding for it. Thank you
for this opportunity. I welcome any questions you may have.
[This statement was submitted by Kevin Washington, President and
CEO.]