[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 127 (Thursday, September 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2242-E2243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    APPOINTING FRANCE A. CORDOVA TO BOARD OF REGENTS OF SMITHSONIAN 
                              INSTITUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for 
Senate Joint Resolution 9, and recognize Dr. France A. Cordova on her 
appointment as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board 
of Regents.
  The Smithsonian's governing board is comprised of 17 members. These 
members include the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Vice 
President of the United States, six Members of Congress, and nine 
citizens who are nominated by the board and approved jointly in a 
resolution of Congress. The nine citizen members serve for a term of 6 
years each and are eligible for reappointment to one additional term.
  Having already established herself as an internationally recognized 
astrophysicist, and a national leader in postsecondary education, 
France A. Cordova is currently the 11th President of Purdue University. 
Known as the first woman and youngest person to hold the position of 
NASA chief scientist from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Cordova still follows her 
love of science. Currently, Dr. Cordova and two colleagues have a 
collaborative experiment flying on the European Space Agency's X-Ray 
Multi-Mirror Mission.
  Prior to joining Purdue in 2007, she served in the University of 
California system for 11 years, first as the Professor of Physics and 
Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Santa Barbara and then as the 
Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Chancellor for UC 
Riverside. Cordova's scientific career contributions have been in the 
areas of observational and experimental astrophysics.

[[Page E2243]]

She has published more than 150 scientific papers and continues to 
pursue scholarly research. Dr. Cordova was also the winner of NASA's 
highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal. As an influential 
leader in science policy and education, she also serves on numerous 
state and national boards, most recently accepting an appointment to 
the Board of Trustees for the Mayo Clinic in May 2008 and a six-year 
presidential appointment to the National Science Board, effective 
November 2008.
  Dr. Cordova's honors and awards are almost as numerous as the stars 
in space that she studies. Her accomplishment in the field of 
astrophysics and her leadership as the head of a national research 
university provide her with tremendous experience that will benefit the 
Smithsonian's board and help improve its mission for the increase and 
diffusion of knowledge. Her impact on education and science has been 
remarkable.
  I will conclude in saying that Dr. France A. Cordova would be an out 
of this world addition to the Smithsonian Institution's governing 
board. It will be an honor and pleasure to have her serve on that 
board, and I ask my colleagues to support Senate Joint Resolution 9.

                          ____________________