[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6248-6249]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           A TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WEEK

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I proudly rise today in recognition 
of National Science and Technology Week. Since 1985, the National 
Science Foundation has used this opportunity to celebrate and bring 
awareness to the scientific and technological wonders that encompass 
our lives.
  American spirit and determination have created advancements our 
society could not have imagined a mere 50 years ago. As the world 
embraces the new information age, our quality of life has been the 
benefactor. Telecommunications and the Internet have brought billions 
of people together, while biotechnology research gives hope to solving 
many of our world's medical mysteries. Environmental technology allows 
increased sustainability of our precious natural resources and space 
sciences open up new and exciting worlds.
  Science, education, and community organizations all over the U.S. are 
participating in National Science and Technology Week. Clearly, 
promoting the awareness of science and technology to the public 
benefits everyone.

[[Page 6249]]

In particular, piquing the interest of children has been proven to 
instill a lifetime of learning. The importance of a strong scientific 
education is indisputable, for the skills we learn as children prove 
invaluable on a daily basis in adult life. Here in Congress, the 
legislative process utilizes scientific reasoning methods to pinpoint 
problems, research solutions, experiment, and choose the best course of 
action.
  I am proud of my efforts during the 106th Congress to secure $5 
million in funding for improvements to the Minnesota Valley National 
Wildlife Refuge and National Park Services operations in the new 
Science Museum of Minnesota. Our state-of-the-art museum allows all 
Minnesotans the opportunity to experience wonders of science ranging 
from a face-to-face encounter with a polar bear to navigating a virtual 
towboat down the Mississippi River. I encourage all our citizens to 
plan a visit soon.
  As National Science and Technology Week activities are conducted 
across the country, it is my hope that all Americans reflect on the 
significance of science and technology in our society. In science, as 
in all of life, the only barriers we cannot overcome are those we do 
not attempt. Please join me this week in celebrating our achievements 
and potential.

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