[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.
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