[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACT OF 1997, H.R. 1273

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVEN SCHIFF

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the National 
Science Foundation Act of 1997. This 2-year authorization bill lays out 
a realistic and supportable plan to fund science.
  The National Science Foundation [NSF] provides funding to over 19,000 
research and education projects in science and engineering. It does 
this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 
colleges, universities, K-12 schools, businesses, and other research 
institutions in all parts of the United States. The Foundation accounts 
for about 25 percent of Federal support to academic institutions for 
basic research.
  The President's fiscal year 1998 request for the National Science 
Foundation [NSF] is $3.367 billion. While the President's request 
offers a 3-percent increase over fiscal year 1997, I believe this 
number serves as a baseline for science funding.
  The Research and Related Activities [RR&A] Account serves as the 
bellweather indicator for basic research at the Foundation. My bill 
authorizes $2.563 billion, or a 5.4-percent increase over fiscal year 
1997. While I understand we are operating under tough budget times, I 
firmly believe that the discoveries of next century will be born from 
our Nation's current investment in basic research. This investment is a 
must for the United States to remain a world leader well into the next 
century. I am proud of the work of my subcommittee and the full 
committee in providing an achievable goal for the RR&A account in 
fiscal year 1998.
  In fiscal year 1999, the bill increases the RR&A account to $2.740 
billion, a 7-percent increase over fiscal year 1998. I believe this is 
an achievable goal. Over this next year, I intend to make the case to 
Congress and to the science community that this goal is the right track 
for basic research funding.
  This bill provides for full authorization of the Antarctic 
Rehabilitation Program. Both within my subcommittee and at the full 
committee, after numerous committee hearings and oversight activities, 
we believe this Antarctic Rehabilitation Program is extremely 
worthwhile. Mr. Norm Augustine stated at our full committee hearing on, 
``The Future of Antarctic Research,'' ``It's our belief we would not 
send a ship to sea or a spacecraft to orbit in the condition of the 
facilities that we have at the pole.'' Furthermore, the Secretary of 
State, Madeline Albright, reaffirmed in a letter to the Committee, ``* 
* * it is essential for the United States to maintain an active and 
influential presence in Antarctica, including the South Pole Station.'' 
I believe now is the time to make the commitment to our Nation and 
scientists.
  In the Education and Human Resources Directorate, this bill 
incorporates the President's request of $625.5 million, a 1.1-percent 
increase over fiscal year 1998. As a strong supporter of education, I 
am planning an aggressive oversight agenda for math and science 
education this year. Because I believe these programs are important, 
this bill provides for growth in this program to over $644 million, in 
fiscal year 1999.
  This bill stresses the need to maintain low overhead and expenses in 
the salaries and expenses account. Also, in both years, we provide 
slight increases to the Office of the Inspector General.
  In other provisions of the bill, NSF is required to submit a plan to 
the Congress on the status of present and future construction, repair, 
and upgrades to our national research facilities.
  Understanding that the science community should not be immune to 
justifying its expenses in these tough budget times, the bill directs 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy to undertake a study to 
review indirect cost rates.
  I want to particularly thank my ranking minority member, Mr. Barcia, 
for his efforts on this bill and the bipartisan support he has shown in 
supporting the National Science Foundation.

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