[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4271-S4272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 36--HONORING THE NATIONAL SCIENCE 
            FOUNDATION FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE NATION

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Breaux, Mr. 
Bond, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Jeffords, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Lieberman, and 
Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 36

       Whereas Congress created the National Science Foundation in 
     1950 to promote the progress of science, to advance the 
     national health, prosperity, and welfare, and to secure the 
     national defense;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 was 
     signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on May 10, 1950;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation strengthens the 
     economy and improves the quality of life in the United States 
     as the Federal Government's only agency dedicated to the 
     support of education and fundamental research in all 
     scientific and engineering disciplines;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation has worked 
     continuously and successfully to ensure that the United 
     States maintains its leadership in discovery, learning, and 
     innovation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation has supported the 
     research of more than half of the United States Nobel 
     laureates in physics, chemistry, and economics;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation has been the lead 
     Federal agency in a number of national science initiatives, 
     such as those in information technology and nanotechnology;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation funds almost 20,000 
     research and education projects in science and engineering at 
     over 2,000 colleges and universities, elementary and 
     secondary schools, nonprofit organizations, and small 
     businesses throughout our Nation;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation's innovative 
     education programs work to ensure that every American student 
     receives a solid foundation in science, technology, and 
     mathematics through support for the training and education of 
     teachers, the public, and students of all ages and 
     backgrounds, and by supporting research into new teaching 
     tools, curricula, and methodologies;
       Whereas the programs funded by the National Science 
     Foundation are an exemplary demonstration of the value of 
     scientific peer review in selecting the most innovative and 
     technically excellent research activities using a network of 
     over 50,000 scientists and engineers each year;
       Whereas the National Science Foundation's international 
     programs promote new partnerships and cooperative projects 
     between United States scientists and engineers and their 
     foreign colleagues, and such partnerships play a key role in 
     establishing and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties; 
     and
       Whereas research supported by the National Science 
     Foundation has led to discoveries, technologies, and products 
     which affect our daily lives, including a greater 
     understanding of bacteria, viruses, and the structure of DNA; 
     medical diagnostic tools, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging 
     (MRI); the Internet, web browsers, and fiber optics, which 
     have revolutionized global communication; polymer materials 
     used in products ranging from clothing to automobiles; 
     Doppler radar used for accurate weather forecasting; 
     artificial skin that can help recovering burn victims; 
     economic research in game and decision theory which has led 
     to a greater understanding of economic cycles; and 
     discoveries of new planets, black holes, and insights into 
     the nature of the universe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the significance of the anniversary of the 
     founding of the National Science Foundation;
       (2) acknowledges the completion of 50 years of achievement 
     and service by the National Science Foundation to the United 
     States; and
       (3) reaffirms its commitment for the next 50 years to 
     support research, education, and technological advancement 
     and discovery through the National Science Foundation, the 
     premier scientific agency in the Federal Government.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to introduce this resolution 
to commemorate the National Science Foundation, (NSF)'s, fifty years of 
public service. I am joined in this resolution by Senator Hollings, 
Senator Allen, Senator Breaux, Senator Bond, Senator Rockefeller, 
Senator Jeffords, Senator Mikulski, Senator Leiberman, and Senator 
Kennedy. In addition, I would like to thank my colleague, 
Representative Nick Smith, for his leadership on this issue. The NSF 
has played a crucial role in developing and maintaining the United 
States economic and scientific leadership, and it deserves the 
gratitude of the American people for its groundbreaking work.
  Since its creation in 1950, the National Science Foundation has 
conducted ``cutting-edge'' research. More than half of the U.S. Nobel 
Laureates in physics, chemistry, and economics have had their research 
supported by NSF. The National Solar Observatory, and other NSF-
sponsored programs, are finding new discoveries about the Sun, the 
planets, and other galaxies in our universe. The NSF also runs programs 
that study life here on Earth. The NSF Antarctic station, that has 
recently been in the news, studies the West Antarctic Ice Shelf to 
understand changes in global climate change. The recent news report on 
the Antarctic Station further highlights the risk, sacrifice, and 
dedication that many of our scientists and engineers take on a daily 
basis in our scientific research pursuits. A NSF-sponsored 
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research studies 
new construction techniques to prevent death and destruction from 
earthquakes. The NSF Plant Genome Project is mapping a model plant, the 
Arabidopsis thaliana, to find ways to develop crops resistant to 
insects, disease, and harsh environmental conditions. Most important, 
NSF plays an important role in working with America's schools to teach 
children math and science and train the scientists and engineers that 
are necessary to maintaining America's technological leadership.
  It is important to point out that NSF-sponsored research continues to 
play an important role in every day American life. Research sponsored 
by NSF developed Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI), artificial skin, 
and other medical breakthroughs that have saved the lives of millions 
of Americans. NSF research also developed the Doppler radar, which is 
used every day to warn Americans of impending hazardous weather. In 
addition, the NSF played a major role in developing the Internet, web 
browsers, and fiber optics, which have revolutionized our economy and 
culture. The NSF also helped to develop the American Sign Language 
Dictionary. Currently, the NSF is pursuing a number of new research 
initiatives, including nanotechnology and information technology. These 
new endeavors promise to foster new discoveries throughout the 21st 
century.
  In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this 
resolution to express our gratitude and support for

[[Page S4272]]

this major American research institution.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, innovation, undeniably, has been the 
cornerstone of this nation's competitiveness. What is often overlooked, 
however, is that the precursor to innovation is basic, fundamental 
research. An agency that has been essential to this kind of research is 
the National Science Foundation, NSF. Through the NSF, the United 
States has invested in world class basic research at our colleges and 
universities.
  Today, we are introducing a resolution to commemorate 50 years of 
accomplishment by the National Science Foundation. The NSF is the 
Federal agency mandated to support overall academic science and 
engineering in the United States. To fulfill this responsibility, it 
supports both (1) university and college research in all fields of 
science, engineering, and mathematics, and (2) science, engineering, 
and mathematics education, including precollege as well as university 
education. NSF provides grants for these purposes, as opposed to 
operating research laboratories of its own.
  NSF supported researchers have won Nobel Prices and have made 
discoveries that have significantly affected our daily lives. From 
understanding DNA to the development of web browsers, the science that 
NSF sponsors has enormous impacts. Moreover, NSF helps support the 
graduate students who become the next generation of researchers, 
teachers, and practitioners in the Sciences.
  Specifically, I would like to draw attention to NSF's Experimental 
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, EPSCoR. This program is 
helping to develop the research infrastructure in states like South 
Carolina that have traditionally been left behind in Federal research 
funding. I encourage the NSF to continue its support for EPSCoR.
  NSF will complete its 50th year on May 10. I salute the agency's 
contribution to U.S. prosperity and scientific inquiry and hope that 
the next 50 years are just as productive as the first 50.

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