[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11680-H11686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
21ST CENTURY NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 189) to authorize appropriations for nanoscience,
nanoengineering, and nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 189
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Nanotechnology
Research and Development Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) National Nanotechnology Program.--The President shall
implement a National Nanotechnology Program. Through
appropriate agencies, councils, and the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office established in section 3,
the Program shall--
(1) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics for
evaluation for Federal nanotechnology research, development,
and other activities;
(2) invest in Federal research and development programs in
nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals;
and
(3) provide for interagency coordination of Federal
nanotechnology research, development, and other activities
undertaken pursuant to the Program.
(b) Program Activities.--The activities of the Program
shall include--
(1) developing a fundamental understanding of matter that
enables control and manipulation at the nanoscale;
(2) providing grants to individual investigators and
interdisciplinary teams of investigators;
(3) establishing a network of advanced technology user
facilities and centers;
(4) establishing, on a merit-reviewed and competitive
basis, interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers,
which shall--
(A) interact and collaborate to foster the exchange of
technical information and best practices;
(B) involve academic institutions or national laboratories
and other partners, which may include States and industry;
(C) make use of existing expertise in nanotechnology in
their regions and nationally;
(D) make use of ongoing research and development at the
micrometer scale to support their work in nanotechnology; and
(E) to the greatest extent possible, be established in
geographically diverse locations, encourage the participation
of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part
B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority
institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20
U.S.C. 1067k(3))), and include institutions located in States
participating in the Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCoR);
(5) ensuring United States global leadership in the
development and application of nanotechnology;
(6) advancing the United States productivity and industrial
competitiveness through stable, consistent, and coordinated
investments in long-term scientific and engineering research
in nanotechnology;
(7) accelerating the deployment and application of
nanotechnology research and development in the private
sector, including startup companies;
(8) encouraging interdisciplinary research, and ensuring
that processes for solicitation and evaluation of proposals
under the Program encourage interdisciplinary projects and
collaborations;
(9) providing effective education and training for
researchers and professionals skilled in the
interdisciplinary perspectives necessary for nanotechnology
so that a true interdisciplinary research culture for
nanoscale science, engineering, and technology can emerge;
(10) ensuring that ethical, legal, environmental, and other
appropriate societal concerns, including the potential use of
nanotechnology in enhancing human intelligence and in
developing artificial intelligence which exceeds human
capacity, are considered during the development of
nanotechnology by--
(A) establishing a research program to identify ethical,
legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal concerns
related to nanotechnology, and ensuring that the results of
such research are widely disseminated;
(B) requiring that interdisciplinary nanotechnology
research centers established under paragraph (4) include
activities that address societal, ethical, and environmental
concerns;
(C) insofar as possible, integrating research on societal,
ethical, and environmental concerns with nanotechnology
research and development, and ensuring that advances in
nanotechnology bring about improvements in quality of life
for all Americans; and
(D) providing, through the National Nanotechnology
Coordination Office established in section 3, for public
input and outreach to be integrated into the Program by the
convening of regular and ongoing public discussions, through
mechanisms such as citizens' panels, consensus conferences,
and educational events, as appropriate; and
(11) encouraging research on nanotechnology advances that
utilize existing processes and technologies.
(c) Program Management.--The National Science and
Technology Council shall oversee the planning, management,
and coordination of the Program. The Council, itself or
through an appropriate subgroup it designates or establishes,
shall--
(1) establish goals and priorities for the Program, based
on national needs for a set of broad applications of
nanotechnology;
(2) establish program component areas, with specific
priorities and technical goals, that reflect the goals and
priorities established for the Program;
(3) oversee interagency coordination of the Program,
including with the activities of the Defense Nanotechnology
Research and Development Program established under section
246 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-314) and the National
Institutes of Health;
(4) develop, within 12 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, and update every 3 years thereafter, a strategic
plan to guide the activities described under subsection (b),
meet the goals, priorities, and anticipated outcomes of the
participating agencies, and describe--
(A) how the Program will move results out of the laboratory
and into application for the benefit of society;
(B) the Program's support for long-term funding for
interdisciplinary research and development in nanotechnology;
and
(C) the allocation of funding for interagency
nanotechnology projects;
(5) propose a coordinated interagency budget for the
Program to the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the
maintenance of a balanced nanotechnology research portfolio
and an appropriate level of research effort;
(6) exchange information with academic, industry, State and
local government (including State and regional nanotechnology
programs), and other appropriate groups conducting research
on and using nanotechnology;
(7) develop a plan to utilize Federal programs, such as the
Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small
Business Technology Transfer Research Program,
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in support of the activity stated in subsection (b)(7);
(8) identify research areas that are not being adequately
addressed by the agencies' current research programs and
address such research areas;
(9) encourage progress on Program activities through the
utilization of existing manufacturing facilities and
industrial infrastructures such as, but not limited to, the
employment of underutilized manufacturing facilities in areas
of high unemployment as production engineering and research
testbeds; and
(10) in carrying out its responsibilities under paragraphs
(1) through (9), take into consideration the recommendations
of the Advisory Panel, suggestions or recommendations
developed pursuant to subsection (b)(10)(D), and the views of
academic, State, industry, and other appropriate groups
conducting research on and using nanotechnology.
(d) Annual Report.--The Council shall prepare an annual
report, to be submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives
Committee on Science, and other appropriate committees, at
the time of the President's budget request to Congress, that
includes--
(1) the Program budget, for the current fiscal year, for
each agency that participates in the Program, including a
breakout of spending for the development and acquisition of
research facilities and instrumentation, for each program
component area, and for all activities pursuant to subsection
(b)(10);
(2) the proposed Program budget for the next fiscal year,
for each agency that participates in the Program, including a
breakout of spending for the development and acquisition of
research facilities and instrumentation, for each program
component area, and for all activities pursuant to subsection
(b)(10);
(3) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the
goals and priorities established for the Program;
(4) an analysis of the extent to which the Program has
incorporated the recommendations of the Advisory Panel; and
(5) an assessment of how Federal agencies are implementing
the plan described in subsection (c)(7), and a description of
the amount of Small Business Innovative Research and Small
Business Technology Transfer Research funds supporting the
plan.
SEC. 3. PROGRAM COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish a National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office, with a Director and full-
time staff, which shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to the
Council and the Advisory Panel;
(2) serve as the point of contact on Federal nanotechnology
activities for government organizations, academia, industry,
professional societies, State nanotechnology programs,
interested citizen groups, and others to exchange technical
and programmatic information;
(3) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Panel, as
appropriate; and
(4) promote access to and early application of the
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program
activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal
Government, and to United States industry, including startup
companies.
(b) Funding.--The National Nanotechnology Coordination
Office shall be funded through interagency funding in
accordance with section 631 of Public Law 108-7.
(c) Report.--Within 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall report to the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House of
Representatives Committee on Science on the funding of the
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. The report shall
include--
(1) the amount of funding required to adequately fund the
Office;
(2) the adequacy of existing mechanisms to fund this
Office; and
(3) the actions taken by the Director to ensure stable
funding of this Office.
SEC. 4. ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish or designate
a National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.
(b) Qualifications.--The Advisory Panel established or
designated by the President under subsection (a) shall
consist primarily of members from academic institutions and
industry. Members of the Advisory Panel shall be qualified to
provide advice and information on nanotechnology research,
development, demonstrations, education, technology transfer,
commercial application, or societal and ethical concerns. In
selecting or designating an Advisory Panel, the President may
also seek and give consideration to recommendations from the
Congress, industry, the scientific community (including the
National Academy of Sciences, scientific professional
societies, and academia), the defense community, State and
local governments, regional nanotechnology programs, and
other appropriate organizations.
(c) Duties.--The Advisory Panel shall advise the President
and the Council on matters relating to the Program, including
assessing--
(1) trends and developments in nanotechnology science and
engineering;
(2) progress made in implementing the Program;
(3) the need to revise the Program;
(4) the balance among the components of the Program,
including funding levels for the program component areas;
(5) whether the program component areas, priorities, and
technical goals developed by the Council are helping to
maintain United States leadership in nanotechnology;
(6) the management, coordination, implementation, and
activities of the Program; and
(7) whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and
workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program.
(d) Reports.--The Advisory Panel shall report, not less
frequently than once every 2 fiscal years, to the President
on its assessments under subsection (c) and its
recommendations for ways to improve the Program. The first
report under this subsection shall be submitted within 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act. The Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a copy
of each report under this subsection to the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Technology, the House of
Representatives Committee on Science, and other appropriate
committees of the Congress.
(e) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal
members of the Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of
the Advisory Panel or while otherwise serving at the request
of the head of the Advisory Panel away from their homes or
regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals
in the government serving without pay. Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the
Advisory Panel who are officers or employees of the United
States from being allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with existing law.
(f) Exemption from Sunset.--Section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Panel.
SEC. 5. TRIENNIAL EXTERNAL REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL
NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council of the
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial
evaluation of the Program, including--
(1) an evaluation of the technical accomplishments of the
Program, including a review of whether the Program has
achieved the goals under the metrics established by the
Council;
(2) a review of the Program's management and coordination
across agencies and disciplines;
(3) a review of the funding levels at each agency for the
Program's activities and the ability of each agency to
achieve the Program's stated goals with that funding;
(4) an evaluation of the Program's success in transferring
technology to the private sector;
(5) an evaluation of whether the Program has been
successful in fostering interdisciplinary research and
development;
(6) an evaluation of the extent to which the Program has
adequately considered ethical, legal, environmental, and
other appropriate societal concerns;
(7) recommendations for new or revised Program goals;
(8) recommendations for new research areas, partnerships,
coordination and management mechanisms, or programs to be
established to achieve the Program's stated goals;
(9) recommendations on policy, program, and budget changes
with respect to nanotechnology research and development
activities;
(10) recommendations for improved metrics to evaluate the
success of the Program in accomplishing its stated goals;
(11) a review of the performance of the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office and its efforts to promote
access to and early application of the technologies,
innovations, and expertise derived from Program activities to
agency missions and systems across the Federal Government and
to United States industry;
(12) an analysis of the relative position of the United
States compared to other nations with respect to
nanotechnology research and development, including the
identification of any critical research areas where the
United States should be the world leader to best achieve the
goals of the Program; and
(13) an analysis of the current impact of nanotechnology on
the United States economy and recommendations for increasing
its future impact.
(b) Study on Molecular Self-Assembly.--As part of the first
triennial review conducted in accordance with subsection (a),
the National Research Council shall conduct a one-time study
to determine the technical feasibility of molecular self-
assembly for the manufacture of materials and devices at the
molecular scale.
(c) Study on the Responsible Development of
Nanotechnology.--As part of the first triennial review
conducted in accordance with subsection (a), the National
Research Council shall conduct a one-time study to assess the
need for standards, guidelines, or strategies for ensuring
the responsible development of nanotechnolgy, including, but
not limited to--
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(1) self-replicating nanoscale machines or devices;
(2) the release of such machines in natural environments;
(3) encryption;
(4) the development of defensive technologies;
(5) the use of nanotechnology in the enhancement of human
intelligence; and
(6) the use of nanotechnology in developing artificial
intelligence.
(d) Evaluation to be Transmitted to Congress.--The Director
of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall
transmit the results of any evaluation for which it made
arrangements under subsection (a) to the Advisory Panel, the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and
the House of Representatives Committee on Science upon
receipt. The first such evaluation shall be transmitted no
later than June 10, 2005, with subsequent evaluations
transmitted to the Committees every 3 years thereafter.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Director of the National Science
Foundation to carry out the Director's responsibilities under
this Act--
(1) $385,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) $424,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(3) $449,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(4) $476,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(b) Department of Energy.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $317,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) $347,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(3) $380,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(4) $415,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out
the Administrator's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $34,100,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) $37,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(4) $42,300,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out
the Director's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $68,200,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(3) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(4) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(e) Environmental Protection Agency.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency to carry out the Administrator's
responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) $6,050,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(3) $6,413,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(4) $6,800,000 for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 7. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PROGRAMS.
(a) NIST Programs.--The Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology shall--
(1) as part of the Program activities under section
2(b)(7), establish a program to conduct basic research on
issues related to the development and manufacture of
nanotechnology, including metrology; reliability and quality
assurance; processes control; and manufacturing best
practices; and
(2) utilize the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program
to the extent possible to ensure that the research conducted
under paragraph (1) reaches small- and medium-sized
manufacturing companies.
(b) Clearinghouse.--The Secretary of Commerce or his
designee, in consultation with the National Nanotechnology
Coordination Office and, to the extent possible, utilizing
resources at the National Technical Information Service,
shall establish a clearinghouse of information related to
commercialization of nanotechnology research, including
information relating to activities by regional, State, and
local commercial nanotechnology initiatives; transition of
research, technologies, and concepts from Federal
nanotechnology research and development programs into
commercial and military products; best practices by
government, universities and private sector laboratories
transitioning technology to commercial use; examples of ways
to overcome barriers and challenges to technology deployment;
and use of manufacturing infrastructure and workforce.
SEC. 8. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROGRAMS.
(a) Research Consortia.--
(1) Department of energy program.--The Secretary of Energy
shall establish a program to support, on a merit-reviewed and
competitive basis, consortia to conduct interdisciplinary
nanotechnology research and development designed to integrate
newly developed nanotechnology and microfluidic tools with
systems biology and molecular imaging.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the sums
authorized for the Department of Energy under section 6(b),
$25,000,000 shall be used for each fiscal year 2005 through
2008 to carry out this section. Of these amounts, not less
than $10,000,000 shall be provided to at least 1 consortium
for each fiscal year.
(b) Research Centers and Major Instrumentation.--The
Secretary of Energy shall carry out projects to develop,
plan, construct, acquire, operate, or support special
equipment, instrumentation, or facilities for investigators
conducting research and development in nanotechnology.
SEC. 9. ADDITIONAL CENTERS.
(a) American Nanotechnology Preparedness Center.--The
Program shall provide for the establishment, on a merit-
reviewed and competitive basis, of an American Nanotechnology
Preparedness Center which shall--
(1) conduct, coordinate, collect, and disseminate studies
on the societal, ethical, environmental, educational, legal,
and workforce implications of nanotechnology; and
(2) identify anticipated issues related to the responsible
research, development, and application of nanotechnology, as
well as provide recommendations for preventing or addressing
such issues.
(b) Center for Nanomaterials Manufacturing.--The Program
shall provide for the establishment, on a merit reviewed and
competitive basis, of a center to--
(1) encourage, conduct, coordinate, commission, collect,
and disseminate research on new manufacturing technologies
for materials, devices, and systems with new combinations of
characteristics, such as, but not limited to, strength,
toughness, density, conductivity, flame resistance, and
membrane separation characteristics; and
(2) develop mechanisms to transfer such manufacturing
technologies to United States industries.
(c) Reports.--The Council, through the Director of the
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, shall submit to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
and the House of Representatives Committee on Science--
(1) within 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, a report identifying which agency shall be the lead
agency and which other agencies, if any, will be responsible
for establishing the Centers described in this section; and
(2) within 18 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, a report describing how the Centers described in this
section have been established.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
President's National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel
established or designated under section 4.
(2) Nanotechnology.--The term ``nanotechnology'' means the
science and technology that will enable one to understand,
measure, manipulate, and manufacture at the atomic,
molecular, and supramolecular levels, aimed at creating
materials, devices, and systems with fundamentally new
molecular organization, properties, and functions.
(3) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National
Nanotechnology Program established under section 2.
(4) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National
Science and Technology Council or an appropriate subgroup
designated by the Council under section 2(c).
(5) Advanced technology user facility.--The term ``advanced
technology user facility'' means a nanotechnology research
and development facility supported, in whole or in part, by
Federal funds that is open to all United States researchers
on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(6) Program component area.--The term ``program component
area'' means a major subject area established under section
2(c)(2) under which is grouped related individual projects
and activities carried out under the Program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert).
General Leave
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on S. 189.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.189, the Nanotechnology and
Research Development Act. This bill began its life in the House as H.R.
766, which I introduced with my colleague, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Honda) and which the House passed back in May by the
overwhelming margin of 405 to 19.
The text before us today reflects 2 months of negotiations with the
Senate to come up with a final version of the bill. The Senate amended
S. 189 with the text of that agreement, and it is that compromise we
will be sending on to the President today.
This bill is endorsed by a wide variety of high technology and
academic organizations including the National Association of
Manufacturers, the Semiconductor Industry Association,
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Intel, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and the Association of American
Universities.
The idea behind this bill is simple yet powerful. The American
economy will grow bigger if America's scientists and engineers focus on
things that are smaller. The U.S. is the leader in nanotechnology and
New York under Governor Pataki is in the front ranks of that world
leadership. We must remain in the front as this new field starts
remaking the marketplace.
This bill has four salient aspects designed to help ensure continued
U.S. leadership: It authorizes the President's National Nanotechnology
Initiative; it emphasizes the need for broad interagency participation
and stronger interagency coordination, especially in the presentation
of program budgets; it underscores the need for interdisciplinary
research and for shepherding research from the laboratory to the
marketplace; and it ensures that research and public discussion on the
societal and ethical consequences of nanotechnology will go on
concurrent with, and as part of technology research and development.
The nanotechnology program will be a model of government, industry,
university, cooperation, coordination and interdisciplinary research
with public involvement.
I wanted to thank the many Members who helped contribute to this bill
but particularly to my cosponsor, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Honda) and my partner, the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Hall), as well as the chairman of our Subcommittee on Research,
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) and his ranking member, the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
Last but not least, I want to thank my staff who labored so long and
hard on this bill and on the many hearings on the subject. Peter
Rooney, Dan Byers and Elizabeth Grossman deserve special recognition,
but the entire staff of the committee minority and majority has been
actively engaged.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I, of course, rise in support of the Nanotechnology
Research and Development Act, Senate 189, which as the chairman has so
ably set forth, authorizes the National Nanotechnology Initiative as
part of the President's budget request. This interagency research
program is going to have enormous consequences for the future of our
entire Nation.
S. 189 is a compromise measure worked out with the other body. It is
largely based on H.R. 766 which passed the House in May by a vote of
405 to 19. The bipartisan House bill was introduced by Committee on
Science chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) and cosponsored by Members from
both sides of the aisle.
I want to acknowledge the leadership of the chairman, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Honda) in crafting the original version of the legislation. I want to
thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) for working
cooperatively day in and day with Democratic Members in developing the
bill and arriving at the final bicameral compromise.
I also want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Honda) for his hard work on the bill. His efforts have led to a
strengthening of the outside advisory mechanism for this research and
also led to a process to help facilitate the transfer of research
innovations to commercial applications.
The potential reach and impact of nanotechnology argues for careful
attention to how it might affect society, and in particular, attention
to potential downsides of the technology.
I believe it is important for the successful development of
nanotechnology that problems be addressed from the beginning in a
straightforward and open way.
Consequently, I am pleased that the bill imposes requirements to
provide understanding of potential problems arising from the
nanotechnology applications. I particularly want to compliment my
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) and my
colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell) for championing
provisions to address this issue, including annual reporting
requirements to allow Congress to track the agencies' activities that
are related to societal and ethical concerns.
This annual report will include a description of the nature of the
activities being supported and how the activities relate to the overall
objectives of the research initiative. An important goal of the bill is
to integrate research on societal and ethical concerns with research
and development efforts to advance nanotechnology.
The bill also addresses the need to open lines of communication
between the research community and the public to make clear that
potential safety risks of nanotechnology are being explored and not
ignored.
I want to especially acknowledge the efforts of my colleague, the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) who introduced
provisions that will provide for input from and outreach to the public
from such mechanisms as citizen panels and consensus conferences.
Senate 189 authorizes appropriations over 4 years for nanotechnology
research and development at five agencies: The National Science
Foundation, the Department of Energy, NASA, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and EPA. In addition to setting funding
goals, the bill puts in place mechanisms for planning and coordinating
and implementation of the interagency research program.
The bill also includes provisions for outside, expert advice to help
guide the research program and ensure its relevance to emerging
technological opportunities and to the industry. The advisory committee
required by the bill is charged to review the goals, content,
implementation and administration of the nanotechnology initiative.
Mr. Speaker, we now stand at the threshold of an age in which
materials and devices can be fashioned atom by atom. The capability
will have enormous consequences for the information industry, for
manufacturing, and for medicine and health. Indeed, the scope of this
technology is so broad as to leave virtually no product untouched.
The measure before us will help ensure that the Nation maintains a
vigorous research effort in a technology area that is emerging as
increasingly important for the economy and also for national security.
It enjoys widespread support from the research community and industry.
I urge my colleagues to support its final passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on
Energy.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 766, the Nanotechnology
Research and Development Act that was approved by the House last May, I
rise to express my strong support for this compromise legislation
negotiated by the House Committee on Science.
I want to commend the chairman of the Committee on Science, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) for working with the Senate to
develop such a comprehensive and forward-looking piece of legislation
as S. 189, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development
Act.
Unlike so many other complex scientific concepts, nanotechnology is
actually something that we should all be able to grasp. Most Americans
learn in grade school and high school that atoms are the building
blocks of nature. In the years since I have been in school, incredible
machines have allowed to us see every one of those atoms.
The challenge now is to develop the tools, equipment and expertise to
manipulate those atoms, and build new materials and new machines, one
molecule at a time.
This bill takes up that challenge, ensuring coordination and
collaboration among the many Federal agencies engaged in nanotech
research. Unlike other research efforts, some of which are undertaken
for the sake of science and our understanding of it, the broad and
practical applications of nanotechnology, and its benefits, can be
described in layman's terms.
Here are just a few benefits: Sensing the presence of unwanted
pathogens in blood; improving the efficiency of electricity
distribution; dispensing medications; cleaning polluted soil and water,
[[Page H11684]]
or building the next generation of space craft.
I do not think I am being overly optimistic. Just consider how far we
have come since the creation of the first microchip. Sixty percent of
Americans now own a personal computer or a laptop, and 90 percent of
them use the Internet. The public, private, and nonprofit sectors
invested in research that reduced the size of the microchip while
increasing its speeds exponentially.
This investment was made because the applications were many and the
possibilities endless. After all, microchips are now found in cars,
pacemakers, watches, sewing machines, and just about every household
appliance.
With all its potential applications, nanotechnology could have an
equal, if not greater, impact than the microchip on our lives, our
wealth, our health and safety, our environment, and our security at
home and abroad.
All levels of government, academia, and the industry recognize the
potential of nanotechnology, as well as the benefits of collaborating
to realize that potential. Nanotechnology could very well be the
catalyst for national competitiveness for the next 50 years. In
countless ways, our lives will be better as a result of coordinated
investment in nanoscience R&D.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this nanotechnology
research and development legislation.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member on Subcommittee
on Research.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
leadership of the committee and the subcommittee. I want to express my
appreciation for the camaraderie of which we work together on the
committee. I rise together in support of S. 189, the Nanotechnology
Research and Development Act.
The emerging fields of nanoscale science, engineering and technology
are leading to unprecedented understanding and control over the basic
building blocks of properties of all natural and man-made things.
{time} 1445
Nanotechnology has the potential for enormous consequences, both
technological and societal. This technology could result in new
materials with prescribed properties not otherwise possible,
information processing that far exceeds our current capabilities, and
medical devices that could provide revolutionary advances in health
care and dramatically increase our lifespan.
Nanotechnology has a great potential for America's leadership around
the world. As America enters the 21st century, it is important that we
lead the world in developing and commercializing new technologies and
perhaps restore many of the jobs that we have lost.
I am very pleased that this bill includes an amendment that I
introduced when we voted on H.R. 766 back in May. This amendment, under
program ``activities on societal and ethical concerns,'' requires
public input and outreach to the public to be integrated into the
program through regular and ongoing public discussions, including
citizens panels, consensus conferences, and educational events.
The views of the general public, who will bear the brunt of the
consequences, both good and bad, should have input in the planning and
execution of the research program. Taxpayers are paying for development
of this technology. They have a right to have a voice in the research
agenda.
I agree with that assessment that nanotechnology is one of the most
promising and exciting fields of science today.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation and proud to say
that I believe that the area which I represent will have some leading
research in this area, with Nobel laureates. As I vote for its
approval, I would urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Research.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, first, let me compliment the
gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) and the chairman for introducing
this legislation. Nanotechnology is the science of the very small, and
I thought I might use a visual aid today. So if my colleagues would
take a hair out of their heads and pretend that it is hollow, they
could fit 100,000 strands of nano-technology inside that hollow hair.
It is amazing technology.
Nanotechnology is exciting to me because it has so much potential for
the future. Already today, computers and disk drives contain
nanotechnology. Soon, most computers and telecommunications hardware
will be based on it. In the not-too-distant future, nanotechnology will
begin to transform biology, medicine, military systems, energy systems.
Nanotechnology is poised to become the next great vehicle of growth
for the American economy; and like biotechnology was 10, 12, 15 years
ago, nanotechnology has reached a critical growth stage. The 21st
Century Research and Development Act intensifies Federal support for
nanoresearch and experimentation and will prove, I think, critical to
unlocking the tremendous potential that nanotechnology presents.
In conclusion, let me just say that nanotechnology holds incredible
promise in a wide range of scientific disciplines; and while there are
some nanotechnology products on the market today, the industry is very
close to achieving several important breakthroughs that include
revolutionary new applications in materials science, in manufacturing.
So if we are going to stay competitive in the world market, and that
means having our standard of living above everybody else, then we are
going to have to take advantage of this kind of technology that can
improve the way we produce products, but also improve those products
that we are selling and allow us to be competitive on a world market.
In conclusion, I would hope everybody would unanimously not only
support this bill but the kind of funding that is necessary to make
sure that the United States stays on top in nanoresearch.
I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Honda), who is an original Democratic cosponsor of the
House bill.
(Mr. HONDA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 189, the 21st Century
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act. I thank the distinguished
leaders of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York
(Chairman Boehlert) and the gentleman from Texas (Ranking Member Hall)
for working with me on the House version of this bipartisan bill, as
well as Senators Allen and Wyden for their leadership on the Senate
version of this legislation.
I would also like to thank my personal staff and the committee staff
for all their hard work in ironing out the differences with the other
body that has allowed us to get to where we are today on this important
legislation.
Nanotechnology, which is the ability of scientists and engineers to
manipulate matter at the level of single atoms and molecules, can be
revolutionary because it is an enabling technology and fundamentally
changes the way many items are designed and manufactured. Most Members
of this body had probably never heard of the word ``nanotechnology''
before we first considered legislation in May, but their support for
the bill then and in the following months suggests that they have come
to appreciate the impact this field will have.
The long-term, sometimes high-risk nature of the research that will
be needed to bring nanotechnology to maturity requires the support of,
and significant investment by, the Federal Government. This bill
provides three things. It puts the National Technology Initiative into
law and authorizes $3.7 billion in spending over the next 4 years for
the program.
This investment in the future is critical because experts agree that
investing in innovation is the key to a vibrant U.S. manufacturing base
and continued generation of new jobs. Nanotechnology is one of the
areas of innovation most worthy of investment, as it has the potential
to create entirely new industries and radically transform the basis of
competition in others.
[[Page H11685]]
The bill also contains a number of other provisions to make
improvements in our national technology initiative. It requires the
creation of research centers, education training efforts, research into
the societal and ethical consequence of nanotechnology, and efforts to
transfer technology into the marketplace. Importantly, the bill
includes a series of coordination offices, advisory committees and
regular programming to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely
and efficiently.
This is an excellent bill that I am proud to have had the chance to
work on, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Once again, let me again repeat my gratitude and thanks to the
leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), our chairman,
and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), our ranking member.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, let me say I want to thank the gentleman
from California (Mr. Honda) for his partnership, and it has been a
cooperative effort; and all of the efforts on the Committee on Science
reflect that cooperation.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), who has been a real
leader for our side on this issue of nanotechnology.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my chairman for yielding me time.
It is indeed a pleasure to be here this afternoon to support Senate
bill 189, the 21st Century National Nanotechnology Research and
Development Act.
Nanotechnology is a very promising future technology. From materials
to computers, medicine, defense, energy, the possibilities are
limitless. We are moving from an age of miniaturization to an age of
self-replication.
The House overwhelmingly approved this bill's companion, H.R. 766,
and I am hopeful that the House will once again make a bipartisan
commitment to increasing resources for nanotechnology research and
development. The development of nanotechnology is not only important to
my corner of the country but for every human on the planet.
The National Science Foundation estimates that in a little over a
decade nanotechnology will positively impact the global market by
approximately $1 trillion. This bill will ensure that the United States
continues to be a leader in nanotechnology research.
This bill is especially important to my academic institutions in my
district, especially the University of North Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the
ranking member knows, everything is bigger in Texas unless it is better
to be smaller, in which case everything is smaller in Texas.
Beginning last fall, the University of North Texas began laboratory
renovation and equipment purchases for the Department of Material
Science, including research space for their Laboratory for Electronic
Materials and Devices and the establishment of a nanometrology
laboratory, the first in the Nation.
This center, the Center for Advanced Research and Technology, is a
unique collaboration between academic and corporate partners in the
north Texas area, designed to develop new nanotechnology applications.
The development of the nanometrology laboratory will provide remote
access by researchers throughout the United States through state-of-
the-art materials characterization.
These facility and research capabilities are important to the future
competitiveness and the value of American materials worldwide, and this
bill will help further those developments.
This comprehensive approach taken by Senate bill 189 to raise the
profile of nanometrology and nanotechnology among the general public
and increased resources for academic institutions will ensure that our
country, America, is the leader in this field for years to come.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lofgren), a long-time leader in high-tech issues from
the Silicon Valley.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to strongly support S. 189, the
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.
I represent, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) just said, an
area, Silicon Valley, that often leads this Nation in fostering
cutting-edge research in technology and in manufacturing. Indeed, a
great deal of much important research involving nanotechnology is being
done right now at NASA Ames Research Park in California.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to remind us all
of the importance of supporting scientific research and its interaction
with our society and our economy. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, S.
189 is an important first step that will ensure that the United States
will continue to play a pioneering role in the area of nanotechnology
and its revolutionary potential to transform the manufacturing sector
in our Nation, not to mention energy, health care, and areas that we
can only dream of today.
I congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and my Bay
Area colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), for their
bipartisan efforts in drafting and perfecting and passing H.R. 766 in
the House which in large part forms the basis of this bill that we are
about to pass.
The future benefits of research in nanotechnology, fusion energy, and
other types of research depend on us acting with great foresight. S.
189 represents a great first step on that path; and as my colleague,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), said recently at a
nanotechnology conference that he helped organize at NASA Ames Research
Park, nanotechnology is the next big thing.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time; but
before I yield back, I urge everyone to take the enlightened approach
and support this very important initiative. I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 189.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
[[Page H11686]]
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