[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 65 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a sponsor 
to this effort to recognize the significance of the National Science 
Foundation to our nation's successes in basic research. The National 
Science Foundation is an independent U.S. government agency responsible 
for promoting science and engineering through programs that invest over 
$3.3 billion per year in almost 20,000 research and education projects 
in science and engineering.
  Since the National Science Foundation was established in May 1950 it 
has provided support for scientific achievement across the United 
States. It is currently responsible for funding nearly 20,000 research 
and education projects in science and engineering and has provided 
financial support for more than half of the nation's Nobel laureates in 
physics, chemistry and economics.
  This resolution recognizes the significance of half a century of 
service from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It also recommits 
Congress to supporting the NSF's research, education and technological 
advancement goals for the next half-century.
  The NSF initiates and supports, through grants and contracts, 
scientific and engineering research and programs to strengthen 
scientific and engineering research potential, and education programs 
at all levels, and appraise the impact of research upon industrial 
development and the general welfare. Award graduate fellowships in the 
sciences and in engineering.
  The NSF also encourages interchange of scientific information among 
scientists and engineers in the United States and foreign countries. 
They support the development and use of computers and other scientific 
methods and technologies, primarily for research and education in the 
sciences.
  This tool of the federal government offers valuable insight into the 
status and needs of the various sciences and engineering and take into 
consideration the results of this evaluation in correlating its 
research and educational programs with other Federal and non-Federal 
programs.
  The NSF maintain a current register of scientific and technical 
personnel, and in other ways provide a central clearinghouse for the 
collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on scientific and 
technical resources in the United States, and provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other Federal agencies.
  This agency determines the total amount of Federal money received by 
universities and appropriate organizations for the conduct of 
scientific and engineering research, including both basic and applied, 
and construction of facilities where such research is conducted, but 
excluding development, and report annually thereon to the President and 
the Congress.
  They initiate and support specific scientific and engineering 
activities in connection with matters relating to international 
cooperation, national security, and the effects of scientific and 
technological applications upon society.
  The NSF also recommends and encourages the pursuit of national 
policies for the promotion of basic research and education in the 
sciences and engineering. Strengthen research and education innovation 
in the sciences and engineering, including independent research by 
individuals, throughout the United States.
  The NSF is also challenging our nation's basic research programs by 
supporting activities designed to increase the participation of women 
and minorities and others underrepresented in science and technology.
  I would hope that as the deliberative process of this body continues 
that we will find it in our nation's best interest to increase the 
NSF's budget by 15 percent or more. It goes without question within and 
outside of the federal government that the NSF provides the basic 
knowledge that leads to innovation that revitalized our economy in the 
form of the Internet. The NSF was responsible for the management of the 
Internet until just a few years ago, and provided the foundation for 
the commercialization that we see today.
  The budget resolution conference report cuts the funding level for 
General Science, Space and Technology, which appropriates funds for the 
NSF, NASA and DOE non-defense programs, by $600 million below the level 
in the House-passed version and $1.2 billion below the Senate-passed 
version. The Senate had added funds to these areas of federal basic 
research expressly to provide a 15% budget increase for NSF, 14.7% for 
DOE and 4% for NASA by the adoption of the Bond/Mikulski amendment.
  The new number for federal support of the NSF, NASA, and DOE non-
defense programs is 2.6% above the Fiscal Year 2001 level, which is in 
adequate funding for NSF and the other agencies that are the main 
supporters of research in the physical sciences and mathematics in our 
nation.
  Our nation's current shortage in the number of science, mathematics, 
and engineering graduates is being felt across the country. With the 
work of the NSF, these problems can and will be addressed in ways that 
are creative and proactive.
  I urge my Colleagues to support this resolution honoring the work 
done by the NSF over the last 50 years.

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