[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 137 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10372-H10373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SCIENTISTS F. SHERWOOD ROWLAND, MARIO MOLINA, AND PAUL 
            CRUTZEN FOR THEIR WORK IN ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 593) congratulating scientists F. Sherwood Rowland, 
Mario Molina, and Paul Crutzen for their work in atmospheric chemistry, 
particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone, that 
led to the development of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That 
Deplete the Ozone Layer.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 593

       Whereas in 1973, on the University of California, Irvine 
     campus, chemists F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina began 
     researching the depletion of stratospheric ozone by the 
     chlorofluorocarbon gases then used worldwide as refrigerants 
     and aerosol propellants;
       Whereas on June 28, 1974, F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario 
     Molina published in the scientific journal Nature, their 
     path-breaking article, ``Stratospheric Sink for 
     Chlorofluoromethanes: Chlorine Atom-Catalysed Destruction of 
     Ozone'';
       Whereas in 1976, the work of F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario 
     Molina connecting chlorofluorocarbons and atmospheric ozone 
     depletion was confirmed by the National Academy of Sciences;
       Whereas in 1978, the United States banned 
     chlorofluorocarbons as propellants in aerosol cans;
       Whereas in 1987, because of the research of F. Sherwood 
     Rowland, Mario Molina, Paul Crutzen, and many other 
     scientists, the international community acted through the 
     adoption of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete 
     the Ozone Layer (``Montreal Protocol'');
       Whereas the Montreal Protocol created the Multilateral Fund 
     for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol which 
     provides funds to help developing countries to phase out the 
     use of ozone-depleting substances;
       Whereas the Multilateral Fund for Implementation of the 
     Montreal Protocol was the first financial mechanism to be 
     created under an international treaty;
       Whereas the Montreal Protocol recognized that world-wide 
     emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and 
     otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely 
     to result in adverse effects on human health and the 
     environment;
       Whereas because of the adoption of the Montreal Protocol 
     the levels of chlorofluorocarbon gases in the Earth's 
     atmosphere have decreased;
       Whereas on September 17, 1987, the Montreal Protocol was 
     open for signatures;
       Whereas to date, 191 nations have signed the Montreal 
     Protocol;
       Whereas F. Sherwood Rowland, Mario Molina, and Paul Crutzen 
     were awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1995 for their 
     work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the 
     formation and decomposition of ozone; and
       Whereas September 17, 2007, marks the twentieth anniversary 
     of the signing of the Montreal Protocol: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates scientists F. Sherwood Rowland, Mario 
     Molina, and Paul Crutzen for their work in atmospheric 
     chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and 
     decomposition of ozone, that led to the development of the 
     Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; 
     and
       (2) encourages the continued research of the interaction of 
     humans and their actions with the Earth's ecosystem.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Hill) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 593, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 593, legislation that 
congratulates scientists Frank Sherwood Rowland, Mario Molina, and Paul 
Crutzen for their work in atmospheric chemistry concerning the 
formation and decomposition of ozone.
  In 1973, Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina began studying the 
impacts of CFCs in the Earth's atmosphere at the University of 
California, Irvine. The chemists discovered that CFC molecules were 
stable enough to remain in the atmosphere until they reached the middle 
of the stratosphere. There the molecules would finally be broken down 
by ultraviolet radiation, releasing a chlorine atom.
  Rowland and Molina proposed that these chlorine atoms might be 
expected to cause the breakdown of large amounts of ozone (O3) in the 
stratosphere. Their argument was based upon an analogy to contemporary 
work by Paul J. Crutzen, which had shown that nitric oxide could 
catalyze the destruction of ozone.
  Drs. Crutzen, Molina and Rowland were awarded the 1995 Nobel prize 
for

[[Page H10373]]

chemistry for their work on this problem. The Montreal Protocol was a 
landmark international agreement designed to protect the stratospheric 
ozone layer. The treaty was originally signed in 1987 and subsequently 
amended in 1990 and 1992. The protocol stipulated that the production 
of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere, including 
chlorofluorocarbons, were to be phased out by the year 2000.
  The work of Dr. Rowland, Dr. Molina, and Dr. Crutzen was vital to the 
development of the Montreal Protocol, the reduction of ozone depleting 
compounds, and the restoration of our atmosphere. I applaud their work 
and ask that my colleagues support this resolution which thanks them 
for their important contributions to science.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 593, congratulating scientists F. Sherwood Rowland, Mario 
Molina and Paul Crutzen for their contribution to atmospheric 
chemistry, particularly the formation and decomposition of ozone. Their 
pioneering research on the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer in the 
early 1970s was the start of a nearly 15-year campaign that would 
include an overwhelming consumer reaction to products containing CFCs, 
a national ban on aerosols and unparalleled international cooperation.
  Twenty years later, the Montreal Protocol has been described as one 
of the most successful international agreements to date. It is the 
ideal illustration of what can be accomplished when scientists, 
policymakers and industry work together toward a common goal. 
Uncertainty did not stop us from looking for alternative solutions. 
However, action was not taken until those uncertainties were addressed 
through further scientific research and until viable substitutes were 
available. Cooperation on environmental problems requires that the 
outcome be beneficial for all parties. This was achieved through the 
Montreal Protocol.
  I offer my thanks to these three scientists. The environmental 
consequences and economic impacts in terms of greater health costs and 
loss of crops and damage to vital species due to the use of CFCs could 
have been far worse if not for the work of F. Sherwood Rowland, Mario 
Molina, and Paul Crutzen.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 593.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I am the proud 
sponsor of H. Res. 593, a resolution congratulating the scientists 
whose work led to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the 
Ozone Layer.
  The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that has been a 
critical part of the global commitment to improving the environment for 
ourselves and future generations. The treaty was a science driven 
effort to address a specific human action that has real consequences on 
the ozone layer.
  Yesterday, September 16th was the 20th anniversary of when the 
Montreal Protocol was first made available for signature. Although the 
benefits of the Montreal Protocol are being realized worldwide, the 
science that led to its implementation is entirely homegrown.
  In 1973, scientists Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina began their 
work at the fantastic University of California, Irvine, in Orange 
County, California. Rowland and Molina researched the depletion of 
stratospheric ozone by chlorofluorocarbon gases. These CFC gases were 
used worldwide in many products as refrigerants and aerosol 
propellants. Like all scientific endeavors, Rowland and Molina started 
with a hypothesis. They realized that CFCs are very stable compounds in 
the lower atmosphere. Because of that, the compounds could travel to 
the upper atmosphere and interact with other compounds that are 
critical to the upper atmosphere.
  By June of 1974 the hypothesis of Rowland and Molina was confirmed by 
their own research; CFCs are broken down by ultra-violet radiation in 
the upper atmosphere and then interact with and deplete ozone 
molecules. Their work was published in the scientific journal Nature to 
a mixed reaction because CFCs were considered by many to be a wonder 
product that had many benefits and no negative consequences. However, a 
mixed reaction to a published article is not necessarily a bad thing 
since it is necessary for published scientific work to hold up under 
intense peer review and scrutiny.
  The National Academy of Sciences began testing the work of Rowland 
and Molina and by 1976, the Academy released a report that confirmed 
the scientific credibility of the ozone depletion hypothesis. To the 
credit of this institution, Congress acted quickly in response to the 
confirmed work of Rowland and Molina.
  In 1978 the use of CFCs in aerosol propellants was banned in the 
United States. With the United States leading the way and significant 
studies being conducted by the Dutch scientist Paul Crutzen, the 
Montreal Protocol came into full force on September 17, 1987. To date, 
191 nations have signed on to the Montreal Protocol.
  In 1995, Rowland, Molina, and Crutzen were awarded the Nobel Prize 
for chemistry in recognition of their work--this was quite an 
achievement for UC Irvine as well. On the twentieth anniversary of the 
Montreal Protocol, let's once again recognize the homegrown science of 
Sherwood Rowland, Mario Molina, and Paul Crutzen that has had an 
ongoing and significant positive impact on the Earth's ecosystem.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 593.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 593.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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