[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF 
                    CHICAGO ON ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the National 
Opinion Research Center on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. Known 
by its acronym, NORC, is one of the nation's oldest, not-for-profit, 
independent research organizations. It is headquartered in downtown 
Chicago with additional offices on the University of Chicago's campus 
and in the D.C. Metro area.
  NORC is a national leader in social science research. Numerous data 
collection and analytical tools that now set the industry standard were 
pioneered at NORC. The organization's capabilities in the areas of 
study design and survey methodology, statistical design and analysis, 
survey data collection (including biomarker and environmental data 
collection), evaluation and performance measurement, policy analysis 
and recommendations, dissemination and knowledge management, and 
technical assistance set it apart as an authority in the field of 
social science research. Further, its research expertise is enhanced by 
its interdisciplinary approach, innovative study designs and research 
methods, commitment to the highest standards of research excellence and 
scientific rigor, and strong collaborative relationships with prominent 
experts, senior government officials, and leading scholars.
  Given its expertise in social science research, NORC plays a 
leadership role in numerous wide-reaching studies and surveys that 
provide vital insight and information into today's most pressing 
issues. For example, NORC manages the National Immunization Survey 
sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which 
produces national- and area-level data on vaccination rates for 
children and teens. It conducts the General Social Survey, which is 
regarded as the best source of data on societal trends and is routinely 
used by policymakers. NORC also advances health care innovation and 
effectiveness through its evaluation of four projects for the Office of 
the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology. These 
projects are critical to understanding adoption of health IT and what 
resources are needed to achieve measurable gains in health care quality 
and efficiency. Other NORC projects of note include the National 
Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the National Children's Study, and a 
series of international impact evaluations for the Millennium Challenge 
Corporation.
  As a policymaker, I am especially impressed by NORC's unique ability 
to conduct high-caliber social science research and analysis designed 
to inform policy decisions on complex issues. Research to inform policy 
must be intentional as well as carefully designed and executed; I am 
grateful to NORC for its commitment to applying social science research 
to social policy, be it in the areas of health, education, economics, 
crime, justice, energy, security or environment. True to its mission to 
perform high-quality social science research in the public interest, 
NORC has proven a tremendous resource to my office over the years. 
Indeed, I have sought their expertise on multiple occasions, including 
recently with regard to the National Children's Study and the National 
Longitudinal Survey of Youth. I greatly appreciated their insight into 
these studies so that I could advocate for policies to improve the 
well-being of children and youth.
  It is rare to find an organization that is skilled at both research 
and application of its findings. NORC has enriched public policy debate 
and decision making by gathering and distilling critical information. 
NORC's work and expertise have spanned seven decades, and I am 
confident the organization and its outstanding researchers will 
continue to have a positive effect on our nation's knowledge base and 
policymaking processes well into the future. This year, I celebrated my 
70th birthday as well. As I look back on my own life, I can personally 
attest to the fortitude that it takes to have gotten this far and to 
have remained relevant. I commend NORC on its commitment to high 
quality social science research that informs so many aspects of our 
society. I am proud to have NORC in my congressional district, and I 
wish NORC and its employees in Illinois and throughout the nation all 
the best on the occasion of the organization's 70th anniversary. I look 
forward to your continued success and excellence in the years to come.

                          ____________________