[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2500, DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2001

  Mr. BOEHLERT Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the FY 02 
Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Conference Report. As chairman of 
the House Science Committee, I have jurisdiction over authorizing many 
pieces of this bill, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST), and the Technology Administration.
  All in all, this is a solid bill and I want to thank Chairman Wolf, 
Ranking Member Serrano and their staff for their hard work and 
willingness to work with me and my staff.
  I am particularly pleased with the level of funding provided for 
environmental conservation and education programs within NOAA. I am 
also pleased that this bill funds the Advanced Technology Program at 
NIST. That program is especially important today, in these difficult 
economic times, when the private sector is less willing to invest in 
new technology.
  I am disappointed, though, that this bill doesn't more closely 
reflect the funding provided for some programs in the original House 
mark. For example, there are several programs at NIST that improve 
computer security and the protection of our nation's critical 
infrastructure that are especially important today as our nation faces 
the threat of terrorism. But while those programs were funded in the 
House bill, they have been cut in this one.
  This bill provides $3.25 billion for NOAA, which Is about $200 
million more than last year and about $200 million above the 
President's request. A total of nearly $440 million of that goes for 
the Ocean, Coastal and Waterway Conservation Programs. These funds are 
critical because, today, our nation's coasts are more Important, and 
yet they are more threatened than ever before.
  One area of major concern for the Science Committee is climate 
change. I am pleased this bill provides $150 million for climate change 
research and activities, including nearly $8 million for the ARGO 
project. The ARGO float project is an international effort to provide 
researchers with critical information and lead to the better 
understanding of the role of oceans in climate. It also includes $70 
million as NOAA's contribution to the U.S. Global Change Research 
Program.
  The bill provides $15 million desperately needed for critical 
computer upgrades at NOAA and new supercomputer capabilities for the 
National Weather Service and for climate research. The bill also 
provides full funding for the new polar satellite program (NPOESS). 
These efforts will give our scientists and weather forecasters the 
tools to improve predictions and forecasts, which have a tremendous 
impact on our nation's economy and future.
  And finally, I'd like to say a word about improving education, one of 
my main goals since becoming chairman. I want to thank Mr. Wolf and Mr. 
Serrano for fully funding the many important education and outreach 
programs in NOAA. Specifically, the bill fully funds the Sea Grant 
program, which links world-class university research with outreach and 
extension efforts and puts science to practical use. I am encouraged by 
the Committee's continued support of the JASON project that brings 
marine science right to our nation's classrooms through real-time 
computer connections.
  This bill is a good bill. It's a product of hard and dedicated work, 
and I urge my colleagues to support it. I look forward to continuing to 
work with the Chairman and Ranking member of the appropriations 
subcommittee to make sure that all the agencies in this bill continue 
their work on behalf of the American people.

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