[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6950-H6951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING NATIONAL POSTDOC APPRECIATION WEEK

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1545) expressing support for designation of the 
week beginning on the third Monday in September as ``National Postdoc 
Appreciation Week''.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1545

       Whereas research is the mechanism by which humankind 
     achieves innovation and progress;
       Whereas in order for the United States to maintain a 
     leadership role in the world, citizens must be well educated 
     to harbor the world's best scientists, engineers, and 
     researchers in all fields of study;
       Whereas postdoctoral scholars (postdocs) make up one of the 
     most substantial driving forces for innovation and research;
       Whereas the base of available knowledge is increasing 
     exponentially;
       Whereas given such rapid rates of knowledge expansion, 
     increasing levels of training and education are required 
     beyond the average undergraduate level and even beyond 
     graduate study levels to generate the next generations of 
     innovators in every field of study;
       Whereas postdocs conduct work and studies in a complex 
     transition period while being both trainees and paid 
     professionals; and
       Whereas the week beginning on the third Monday in September 
     would be an appropriate week to designate as ``National 
     Postdoc Appreciation Week'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of ``National Postdoc 
     Appreciation Week'';
       (2) recognizes the accomplishments and contributions 
     postdocs make to relevant departments, institutions, fields, 
     and communities around the United States and the world;
       (3) recognizes the career development and other 
     professional needs of postdocs in every field of study; and
       (4) encourages the improvement of training and career 
     opportunities in various research fields at all levels of 
     training and stages of all research careers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1545 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1545, 
which supports designation of this week as National Postdoc 
Appreciation Week.
  Postdoctoral students, or postdocs, are academic or scholarly 
researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are 
deepening their

[[Page H6951]]

expertise in a subject through mentored research or scholarly training. 
Postdocs often produce important works for publication in their field 
and bolster institutional research capabilities. They are a critically 
important source of innovation and are responsible for much of the 
cutting-edge research performed in this country that leads to the 
creation of jobs. This research has led to scientific developments and 
critical advancements in health, science, computers, and technology. 
Many postdocs later become full- and part-time faculty at our Nation's 
research institutions, teaching the next generation of undergraduates 
and graduates and continuing to build upon their research.
  In all these ways and more, postdocs represent the best and brightest 
products of our research universities, and the future of our Nation's 
research efforts rests largely on their shoulders. Unfortunately, 
despite their great academic performance and contributions, postdocs 
are routinely provided with poor working conditions, paid low wages 
relative to their years of training, while working long hours, and are 
frequently ineligible for medical benefits, worker's compensation, 
disability insurance, paid maternity or paternity leave, or retirement 
accounts. Too often, postdocs are isolated and have little support from 
the institutions that benefit directly from their research.
  In April of this year, the Education and Labor Committee held a field 
hearing to examine problems with first contract labor negotiations 
between the University of California and their postdoctoral scholars' 
union. It took the postdocs 3 years to unionize, and in November 2008, 
the Postdocs Union was finally certified by the California Public 
Employment Relations Board. This August, I am happy to say, the 
postdocs were able to complete their first contract negotiations, and 
we congratulate them on securing economic justice for themselves and 
their families.
  It is impressive to see postdocs who not only excel in their personal 
lab work, but also give of their time and energy and leadership talents 
in order to improve working conditions in the lives for everyone in 
their field.
  National Postdoc Appreciation Week helps to increase awareness of the 
many contributions postdoctoral scholars have made and continue to make 
to scientific research in America and the need to guarantee that they 
have fair employment standards in order to continue pursuing critical 
lifesaving research.
  Last year, in September of 2009, over 70 U.S. research institutions 
participated in the first National Postdoc Appreciation Day. This year, 
Postdoc Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for institutions of 
higher education--like the University of Colorado at Boulder in my 
congressional district--businesses, research organizations, and others 
to honor and support the contributions of postdocs.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Stearns for introducing 
this resolution and once again express my support for National Postdoc 
Appreciation Week, beginning the third Monday in September. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1545, 
expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third 
Monday of September--this week--as National Postdoc Appreciation Week, 
and join with the gentleman from Colorado in recognizing Mr. Stearns, 
the gentleman from Florida, for his sponsorship of this resolution.
  Postdoctoral research is academic or scholarly research conducted by 
a person who has completed his or her doctoral studies, normally within 
the following 5 years. It is intended to further deepen expertise in a 
specialized subject area, including necessary skills and methods. 
Postdoctoral research is often considered essential to the scholarly 
mission of the host institution and is expected to produce relevant 
publications accordingly.
  Postdoctoral research may be funded through an appointment with a 
salary or an appointment with a stipend or sponsorship award. 
Appointments for such research positions may be called postdoctoral 
research fellow, postdoctoral research associate, or postdoctoral 
research assistant. Depending on the type of appointment, postdoctoral 
researchers may work independently or under the supervision of a 
principal investigator.
  Postdocs make invaluable contributions to the research enterprise, 
which is important if the United States is to remain competitive in a 
global market. To do so, we must make every effort to attract the best 
and the brightest men and women from all groups, including 
international scholars, to ensure that progress and innovation takes 
place in all fields of study.
  Today, we recognize the accomplishments and contributions postdocs 
make to relevant institutions, fields of study, and communities around 
the world. We encourage the improvement of training and career 
opportunities in various research fields at all levels of training and 
stages of all research careers.
  I urge all my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. I thank the gentleman.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting 
National Postdoc Appreciation Week beginning, again, the week of the 
third Monday in September. I encourage my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this resolution and showing strong support for the work and 
the contributions of postdocs across this country.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1545.
  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.

                          ____________________