[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1867) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 
     2010 for the National Science Foundation, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1867, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, which 
will reauthorize the National Science Foundation, NSF, for the next 3 
years.
  H.R. 1867 will continue NSF funding on a 10-year doubling path, 
establish pilot programs to help improve funding rates for our young 
researchers, and encourage NSF to foster a relationship between 
academia and industry in order to improve the competitiveness of 
research conducted in the United States.
  The National Science Foundation, created in the 1950s supports 
critical science and engineering research conducted at over 2,000 
institutions across the Nation, which involves roughly 200,000 
researchers, teachers, and students. Despite its relatively small size, 
NSF has an important impact on scientific and engineering knowledge and 
academic capacity. While NSF represents only 4 percent of the total 
Federal budget for research and development, it accounts for 20 percent 
of all basic research conducted at colleges and universities, and 50 
percent of non-life science basic research at academic institutions. In 
fact, NSF is the only Federal agency that supports all fields of basic 
science and engineering research.
  NSF invests in the best ideas of its scientists, engineers and 
educators working at the frontiers of knowledge, and across all fields 
of research and education. Their mission is designed to maintain and 
strengthen the vitality of the United States science and engineering 
enterprise.
  In addition, NSF strives to improve its science and education 
collaboration at early stages in the education cycle. Science and math 
at the K though 12 level is becoming more interactive and engaging for 
our students in order to stimulate their future interest in the field 
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM. H.R. 1867 
would increase funding for certain NSF education programs including 
authorizing the ``10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds'' Math and Science 
Scholarship Act, H.R. 362. Our youth represents America's future 
scientists. Stimulating their interest at a young age promises the 
continuation and success of our future biological, physical, social and 
engineering scientists.
  In the state of Minnesota, the National Science Foundation supports 
research conducted at the University of Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic and 
many other academic institutions. The research conducted at these 
institutions has been paramount to the field of science and technology. 
Minnesota is proud to employ scientists, teachers, technicians and 
staff that address such cutting edge technology.
  The research supported by the National Science Foundation touches the 
lives of every American; from gaining a better understanding of 
Alzheimer Disease to Global Climate Change and is critical to 
increasing our global competitiveness. It is with this commitment to 
the continued economic, social, and cultural well being of my district, 
and of the Nation, that I rise today in support of funding for the 
National Science Foundation for the next 3 years.

                          ____________________