[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,

[[Page H11681]]

     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--

[[Page H11682]]

       (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,

[[Page H11683]]

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.


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