[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7864-S7865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Frist, and Ms. 
        Collins):
  S. 1046. A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1998 and 
1999 for the National Science Foundation, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.


       The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1997

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise to introduce, with my colleagues 
Senators Kennedy, Frist, and Collins, the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 1997. Our legislation authorizes the National 
Science Foundation [NSF] for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 and is similar 
to the legislation that was approved by the House of Representatives by 
voice vote on April 24, 1997.
  The strong bipartisan support which NSF enjoys is a product of its 
historic contribution to American security and competitiveness. The 
prominent role of science in the American war effort during World War 
II left Americans with a new appreciation of the importance of research 
in establishing and preserving economic and military security. 
Federally funded research provided the American war effort with radar, 
sonar, the proximity fuse, blood plasma, sulfanilamide, penicillin, and 
the atomic bomb. In 1944, President Roosevelt charged Vannevar Bush, 
his chief science adviser, with evaluating the most effective way to 
harness this technological infrastructure in peace-time. The Bush 
report--Science--The Endless Frontier--established a strategy and 
rationale for Federal support of basic research. The report argued that 
``a nation which depends upon others for its new basic scientific 
knowledge will be slow in its industrial progress and weak in its 
competitive position in world trade regardless of its mechanical 
skill.'' This report provided the blueprint for creation of the 
National Science Foundation.
  NSF was established in 1950 to ``develop and encourage the pursuit of 
a national policy for the promotion of basic research and education in 
the sciences.'' Eight years later, following the 1957 Soviet launch of 
the Sputnik satellite, this mission was expanded to provide greater 
support for science education and literacy. Over the next three 
decades, NSF became the primary Federal sponsor of basic scientific 
research in mathematics, physical sciences, computer science, 
engineering, and environmental science at colleges and universities. 
Equally important to the future of our Nation, NSF has become a primary 
catalyst for math and science education reform.


             NSF's Role in Federal Research and Development

  The legislation which I am introducing with my colleagues authorizes 
$3.5 billion for the National Science Foundation in fiscal year 1998 
and $3.6 billion in fiscal year 1999. Although the National Science 
Foundation's budget accounts for only 4 percent of Federal research and 
development funding, NSF provides 25 percent of Federal support to 
academic institutions for research. NSF's contribution is even greater 
in some disciplines--NSF provides nearly 50 percent of all Federal 
support for basic research in certain fields of science, including 
math, computer science, and environmental science. This funding 
supports approximately 19,000 research and education projects at more 
than 2,000 colleges, universities, primary, elementary, and secondary 
schools, businesses, and other research institutions. Competition for 
these grants is fierce. NSF funds only about one-third of the 30,000 
proposals it reviews annually.
  The importance of this investment cannot be exaggerated. Over the 
past decade, private sector investment in research and development has 
eclipsed Federal investment in public science. However, the Federal 
investment in basic science plays a preeminent role in industrial 
innovation in the United States. A recent review of American industrial 
patent applications revealed that the Government or nonprofit 
foundations supported 75 percent of the main papers cited as the 
foundation for the new industrial innovation. The remaining 25 percent 
were funded by industry.


        NSF's Role in Science Education and Technology Literacy

  This bill authorizes $645 million for the education and human 
resources directorate [EHRD] in fiscal year 1998. EHRD has primary 
responsibility for NSF's education and training activities. In contrast 
with the programs of the Department of Education, NSF science and math 
education programs are experiments which link learning and discovery. 
Proposals are selected by outside peer review panels on the basis of 
their potential to provide long-lasting and broad impact. NSF has made 
notable contributions in the areas of curriculum and instructional 
material development, professional development, and improved the 
participation in science research and science education of women, 
minorities, and individuals with disabilities. This legislation 
strengthens and enhances these efforts.
  And finally, I would be remiss if I did not speak about the 
partnership which has been forged between the State of Vermont and the 
National Science Foundation. Last year, NSF grants were provided to the 
Barre Town Elementary School, Mountshire Museum of Science, Cabot 
School, Charlestown Elementary School, St. Michael's College, Johnson 
State College, and the University of Vermont. In 1992, the Vermont 
Institute for Science, Math, and Technology received a 5-year award of 
$7.9 million to establish a collaborative statewide education reform 
effort linking business, higher education, government, and community 
sectors.
  Our bill builds upon partnerships like that forged with the State of 
Vermont and offers a credible bipartisan response to the research and 
science education challenges facing our Nation. I urge the support of 
all my colleagues in the Senate for this worthwhile legislation.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join Senator 
Jeffords and Senator Frist as a sponsor of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 1997. This bipartisan legislation looks 
to the future by strengthening our national commitment to research and 
development. It also ensures the continued success of NSF's teacher 
training and professional development programs. In addition, it will 
improve science and math education from kindergarten to graduate 
school, and maintain America's competitive edge into the 21st century.

[[Page S7865]]

  Few Federal agencies deliver as much bang for the buck as the 
National Science Foundation. The NSF funds 19,000 peer-reviewed science 
and education projects at more than 2,000 colleges, universities, 
schools, businesses, and research facilities in the United States.
  NSF accounts for only 4 percent of total Federal research and 
development funding, yet it provides 25 percent of basic research 
support at academic institutions, and as much as half of all Federal 
funding for research in fields such as mathematics, computer science, 
environmental science, and the social sciences.
  The NSF also plays an important role in training teachers and 
developing math and science curricula to prepare students for 
tomorrow's challenges. It has promoted innovative education programs in 
partnership with colleges, universities, elementary and secondary 
schools, science museums, and state and local governments. These 
programs encourage the discovery of new knowledge and its application 
to real-world problems.
  NSF support for basic research and science education has played an 
important role in encouraging economic growth over the last 50 years. 
According to a recent study, each dollar that the Federal Government 
has spent on basic research has contributed 50 cents or more to the 
national output. These economic benefits are spread throughout the 
economy, enhancing the productivity of the Nation's work force and 
improving the quality of life of all Americans.
  At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example, NSF funds 
have encouraged scientists to explore the commercial applications of 
their research. Technology developed at MIT had a role in the launching 
of 13 companies in 1995. They manufacture products ranging from 
computer chips to communication networks. These enterprises have 
bolstered the State and local economies, and provided jobs and 
opportunities for many citizens.
  In Massachusetts, the National Science Foundation is funding a wide 
range of projects on the cutting edge of research. NSF grants have been 
instrumental in building the State's biotechnology industry, mapping 
the oceans at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, developing new 
superconductors at Harvard University's Material Research Science and 
Education Center, and fostering cooperative partnerships with schools, 
parents, businesses, and community organizations to strengthen math and 
science education programs.
  Nationwide, NSF grants also cover a broad range of projects from 
health care to crime-fighting to protecting the environment. Specific 
grants are improving the treatment of arrythmia, facilitating the 
accurate identification of crime suspects, developing new biotechnology 
techniques to clean hazardous waste sites, and analyzing an Antarctic 
meteorite to determine whether or not life existed on Mars.
  NSF funds benefit the humanities as well. The Next Generation 
Internet project will give researchers access to information from the 
world's libraries and museums at rates that are 100 to 1,000 times 
faster than today's Internet.
  Recent budget projections by the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science paint a bleak picture for future funding of 
research and development. Discretionary spending, which funds all R&D 
programs including NSF grant support, is expected to shrink from one-
sixth to one-seventh of the Federal budget by the year 2000. As a 
result, funds for NSF research and development will likely face 
reductions of 18 percent. At the same time, Germany, Japan, and France 
are projected to begin to overtake the United States in R&D 
expenditures. These developments will jeopardize America's leadership 
in science and technology as the 21st century approaches.
  The impact of these cuts will be felt heavily in Massachusetts, which 
ranks third among States in NSF funding. Nearly 1,400 projects at over 
140 sites in Massachusetts are funded at more than $224 million 
annually, and an 18-percent decrease in grant support would adversely 
affect students, scientists, researchers, and citizens in all 50 
States.
  The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1997 that we are 
sponsoring will place research and development on a more secure footing 
over the next 2 years. It will increase NSF funding by 7.2 percent in 
fiscal year 1998 and 3.7 percent in fiscal year 1999. The legislation 
also strengthens efforts to improve science, mathematics, engineering, 
and technology training for teachers and students, and will enable NSF 
to continue to play an important role in developing a faster and more 
powerful Internet. In addition, it authorizes the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy to prepare a report analyzing indirect costs, which 
play a vital but poorly understood part of Federal R&D spending.
  The National Science Foundation is doing an outstanding job of 
fulfilling their missions, and I urge all of my colleagues to support 
this important legislation.
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