[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 30 (Thursday, March 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. SUSAN SOLOMON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that a 
constituent from my district, Dr. Susan Solomon, is the recipient of 
the 1999 National Medal of Science. Dr. Solomon is a senior scientist 
at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, based in 
Boulder, Colorado, and is the first NOAA scientist to be awarded the 
medal, which is the nation's highest scientific honor. She is also the 
recipient of many other honors and awards that recognize her important 
work.
  In commending her accomplishments, Secretary of Commerce William 
Daley called Dr. Solomon ``one of the most important and influential 
researchers in atmospheric science during the past 15 years.'' I know I 
join all my colleagues in congratulating Dr. Solomon on this well-
deserved honor.
  Dr. Solomon first theorized in the 1980s that the explanation for the 
Antarctic ozone hole involved chemistry on clouds, not just gas 
molecule reactions, as was thought then. Dr. Solomon confirmed her 
theories with solid data observed during two National Ozone Expeditions 
to the Antarctic in 1986 and 1987, when she identified reactions 
between two different forms of chlorine on the stratospheric cloud 
surface. These reactions release chlorine molecules, which separate and 
act as catalysts in destroying ozone.
  Because of Dr. Solomon's discovery, scientists were then able to 
conclude that the chlorine responsible for the ozone hole originates 
from chlorofluorocarbons and other man-made compounds.
  Dr. Solomon and other leaders in her field provide important role 
models for today's students as they prepare to meet the demands of 
tomorrow's technology-based economy. But it is not only the young who 
can benefit from Dr. Solomon's example. She cites as the most important 
lesson from her research the ``need to keep an open mind on 
environmental issues.'' We should all heed her very good advice.

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