[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. HOWARD SILVER FOR HIS SERVICE AS CHAIR OF THE COALITION 
                          FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Biomedical 
Research Caucus, I want to recognize the outstanding contribution that 
Howard J. Silver, Ph.D. has made during the past six years as the Chair 
of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF). As the volunteer 
leader of this volunteer organization dedicated to increasing support 
for investment in science, Dr. Silver has worked tirelessly on behalf 
of researchers in all fields of science. His efforts at building and 
mobilizing a coalition of diverse organizations has been a model of 
effective advocacy. Under his direction, the scientific community has 
brought the accomplishments of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to 
a broad audience, explaining the many ways in which NSF-funded research 
has improved our understanding of the world and increased our standard 
of living. These achievements and their clear benefit to all Americans 
are why I have been, and will remain, a staunch supporter of increased 
funding for NSF.
  Dr. Silver has been with the Consortium of Social Science Association 
(COSSA since 1983. He has been COSSA's Director since 1988 and is 
responsible for planning and directing all of the consortium's programs 
and initiatives. Dr. Silver previously was a consultant for legislative 
and political research, a political manager, and a legislative analyst 
in the Department of Education. He earned his Ph.D. in political 
science from Ohio State University, and he has taught political science 
and public policy at several colleges and universities.
  In recent budgets and appropriations bills, the Administration and 
Congress have recognized the value of the NSF and the research that it 
supports. These actions will result in continued progress in science 
and technology that will benefit Americans now and in the future. The 
contributions of Dr. Silver and CNSF to the heightened appreciation of 
NSF have been substantial. Through his advocacy, I am pleased that this 
year the NSF will receive $4.4 billion an increase of $514 million than 
last year and a 13 percent increase above this year's NSF budget. This 
increase will help to ensure that move merit-based, peer-reviewed 
grants will be funded. Today, one in three grants is not funded because 
there is insufficient funding for them.
  Samuel E. Rankin, III of the American Mathematical Association will 
have the honor of succeeding Dr. Silver. He should have the scientific 
community's continued support as he endeavors to continue the course 
that Howard J. Silver charted so ably for the past six years.

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