[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL LABORATORY EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS ACT OF 2003

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
Federal Laboratory Educational Partners Act of 2003, a bill that would 
permit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other 
Department of Energy laboratories to use revenue from their inventions 
to support science education activities. The bill is cosponsored by my 
colleague from Colorado, Representative Bob Beauprez. I greatly 
appreciate his support.
  The Federal Laboratory Educational Partners Act would amend the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. Under the 
Stevenson-Wydler Act, federal labs can use licensing royalties, 
sometimes called Bayh-Dole revenues, for five purposes. These include 
rewarding laboratories' scientific employees; furthering scientific 
exchange among laboratories; educating and training laboratories' 
employees consistent with the labs' research and development missions; 
covering expenses incidental to the laboratories' administration and 
licensing of intellectual property; and conducting scientific research 
and development, again consistent with the labs' research and 
development missions.
  My bill would amend the fifth purpose to add educational assistance 
as another permitted use of licensing royalties.

[[Page E160]]

  Federal laboratories, especially the Department of Energy's national 
laboratories, with their high concentrations of scientists and 
engineers, are uniquely positioned to aid surrounding communities in 
improving the learning experience of their students. Currently, NREL 
conducts some science education activities using funds provided by 
private sources, including funds from companies that operate the lab--
the midwest Research Institute, Battelle, and Bechtel. But enabling 
NREL to use licensing revenues would give the lab greater flexibility.
  Even without the expansion of permitted uses of licensing revenues 
that this bill would enable, NREL has conducted a number of science 
education programs with private funds and some funds from the 
Department of Energy and other federal agencies.
  For instance, NREL initiated the Coalition for Learning Opportunities 
and United Tutors (CLOUT) program in 1998. CLOUT began as a pilot 
program matching 200 volunteers with fourth graders in 17 Denver public 
schools who needed help with reading. The program has grown to be a 
great success.
  Another example is NREL's Junior Solar Sprint, which celebrated its 
twelfth year in 2002. This annual event gives students the chance to 
design, build, and race vehicles whose only energy source is sunlight. 
Each team starts with a motor and a silicon solar cell, and teams are 
awarded design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship, and 
innovation.
  A third example is NREL's Columbine Spirit Scholarship at the 
Colorado School of Mines. It was established in 1999 by the contractors 
that operate NREL, MRI, Battelle and Bechtel. The three companies gave 
an initial $25,000 to endow the fund, which is used to award 
scholarships to graduates of Columbine and other Jefferson County high 
schools through the Colorado School of Mines Foundation. The 
scholarship is offered first to Columbine graduates who are pursuing 
degrees in disciplines related to the laboratory's research and 
development mission.
  These three examples help us understand the importance of science 
education activities associated with federal laboratories and what they 
can mean for their surrounding communities. But because of the 
narrowness of current provisions in law, NREL and other labs are not 
able to utilize licensing revenues to support any of the activities 
outlined above or any other science education programs. As a result, 
NREL and other labs must depend on private funds for the bulk of its 
science education activities, which unnecessarily restricts what these 
labs can do in this area. My bill would expand the law to allow greater 
flexibility.
  Licensing revenues have grown markedly over the years as the 
technologies NREL has created have gained wide acceptance. It makes 
sense to me that we should give the labs a bit more freedom to spend 
these funds, especially on pursuits as worthwhile as science education 
which can expose young people to the excitement and relevance of 
careers in science and technology.
  Research is an investment in the future. I believe the integration of 
research and science education to take advantage of the unique 
resources and facilities of the Department of Energy's national 
laboratories and research facilities should be a high priority.

             PAYING TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM PRESCOTT ALLEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to the memory of an accomplished Colorado publisher, 
William Prescott Allen, Jr., of Montrose. Mr. Allen recently passed 
away, leaving behind a legacy of business and community leadership. As 
his family mourns his loss, I would like to take this time to highlight 
his life before this body of Congress and this nation.
  Raised in Texas, William and his wife, Grace, relocated to Montrose, 
Colorado after he returned home from the Army during World War II. In 
1944, the Allen family bought the local paper, the Montrose Daily 
Press. After gaining experience as a reporter and working at other 
family-owned newspapers, William became publisher of the Daily Press in 
1948, a position he would hold for 38 years. Then, in 1997, William 
sold the paper after 53 years of Allen family ownership.
  William remained active in the community during his lifetime. He 
served as a charter member in several local organizations, including 
the Montrose Industrial Development Corporation, the Montrose Kiwanis 
Club, the Ute Indian Museum, and the Uncompahgre Knife and Fork Club. 
William will be remembered for his contributions in the community and 
his leadership of the Daily Press.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor William Allen Jr.'s memory before 
this body of Congress and this nation. I extend my sincere condolences 
to his wife and family. William Allen was a great contributor to the 
state of Colorado and the community of Montrose and he will be greatly 
missed.

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