[House Report 109-151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 109-151
======================================================================
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
_______
June 23, 2005.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Boehlert, from the Committee on Science, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2364]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R.
2364) to establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program
to award scholarships to recruit and prepare students for
careers in the National Weather Service and in National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration marine research, atmospheric
research, and satellite programs, having considered the same,
report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that
the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Amendment.......................................................2
II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................3
III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................4
IV. Summary of Hearings.............................................4
V. Committee Actions...............................................4
VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................4
VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............5
VIII. Committee Views.................................................5
IX. Cost Estimate...................................................6
X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................6
XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............7
XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................7
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........7
XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement..............................7
XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................7
XVI. Congressional Accountability Act................................7
XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported...........7
XVIII.Committee Recommendations.......................................7
XIX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup............................9
I. AMENDMENT
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator is authorized to establish
a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to award
scholarships to individuals that is designed to recruit and
prepare students for careers in the National Weather Service
and in Administration marine research, atmospheric research,
and satellite programs.
(2) Competitive process.--Individuals shall be selected to
receive scholarships under this section through a competitive
process primarily on the basis of academic merit, with
consideration given to financial need and the goal of promoting
the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b), including those from Historically Black
Colleges and Universities and institutions serving a large
proportion of Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific
Americans, or other underrepresented populations.
(3) Service agreements.--To carry out the scholarship
program, the Administrator shall enter into contractual
agreements with individuals selected under paragraph (2) under
which the individuals agree to serve as full-time employees of
the Administration, for the period described in subsection
(f)(1), in positions needed by the Administration in fields
described in paragraph (1) and for which the individuals are
qualified, in exchange for receiving a scholarship.
(b) Scholarship Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to participate
in the scholarship program, an individual shall--
(1) be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time
student at an institution of higher education in an academic
program or field of study described in the list made available
under subsection (d);
(2) be a United States citizen or permanent resident; and
(3) at the time of the initial scholarship award, not be a
Federal employee as defined in section 2105 of title 5 of the
United States Code.
(c) Application Required.--An individual seeking a scholarship under
this section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information, agreements, or
assurances as the Administrator may require to carry out this section.
(d) Eligible Academic Programs.--The Administrator shall make
publicly available a list of academic programs and fields of study for
which scholarships may be utilized in fields described in subsection
(a)(1), and shall update the list as necessary.
(e) Scholarship Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may provide a scholarship
under the scholarship program for an academic year if the
individual applying for the scholarship has submitted to the
Administrator, as part of the application required under
subsection (c), a proposed academic program leading to a degree
in a program or field of study on the list made available under
subsection (d).
(2) Duration of eligibility.--An individual may not receive a
scholarship under this section for more than 4 academic years,
unless the Administrator grants a waiver.
(3) Scholarship amount.--The dollar amount of a scholarship
under this section for an academic year shall be determined
under regulations issued by the Administrator, but shall in no
case exceed the cost of attendance.
(4) Authorized uses.--A scholarship provided under this
section may be expended for tuition, fees, and other authorized
expenses as established by the Administrator by regulation.
(5) Contracts regarding direct payments to institutions.--The
Administrator may enter into a contractual agreement with an
institution of higher education under which the amounts
provided for a scholarship under this section for tuition,
fees, and other authorized expenses are paid directly to the
institution with respect to which the scholarship is provided.
(f) Period of Obligated Service.--
(1) Duration of service.--Except as provided in subsection
(h)(2), the period of service for which an individual shall be
obligated to serve as an employee of the Administration shall
be 24 months for each academic year for which a scholarship
under this section is provided.
(2) Schedule for service.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), obligated service under paragraph (1) shall begin
not later than 60 days after the individual obtains the
educational degree for which the scholarship was
provided.
(B) Deferral.--The Administrator may defer the
obligation of an individual to provide a period of
service under paragraph (1) if the Administrator
determines that such a deferral is appropriate. The
Administrator shall prescribe the terms and conditions
under which a service obligation may be deferred
through regulation.
(g) Penalties for Breach of Scholarship Agreement.--
(1) Failure to complete academic training.--Scholarship
recipients who fail to maintain a high level of academic
standing, as defined by the Administrator by regulation, who
are dismissed from their educational institutions for
disciplinary reasons, or who voluntarily terminate academic
training before graduation from the educational program for
which the scholarship was awarded, shall be in breach of their
contractual agreement and, in lieu of any service obligation
arising under such agreement, shall be liable to the United
States for repayment not later than 1 year after the date of
default of all scholarship funds paid to them and to the
institution of higher education on their behalf under the
agreement, except as provided in subsection (h)(2). The
repayment period may be extended by the Administrator when
determined to be necessary, as established by regulation.
(2) Failure to begin or complete the service obligation or
meet the terms and conditions of deferment.--A scholarship
recipient who, for any reason, fails to begin or complete a
service obligation under this section after completion of
academic training, or fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of deferment established by the Administrator
pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(B), shall be in breach of the
contractual agreement. When a recipient breaches an agreement
for the reasons stated in the preceding sentence, the recipient
shall be liable to the United States for an amount equal to--
(A) the total amount of scholarships received by such
individual under this section; plus
(B) the interest on the amounts of such awards which
would be payable if at the time the awards were
received they were loans bearing interest at the
maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the
Treasurer of the United States.
(h) Waiver or Suspension of Obligation.--
(1) Death of individual.--Any obligation of an individual
incurred under the scholarship program (or a contractual
agreement thereunder) for service or payment shall be canceled
upon the death of the individual.
(2) Impossibility or extreme hardship.--The Administrator
shall by regulation provide for the partial or total waiver or
suspension of any obligation of service or payment incurred by
an individual under the scholarship program (or a contractual
agreement thereunder) whenever compliance by the individual is
impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the individual,
or if enforcement of such obligation with respect to the
individual would be contrary to the best interests of the
Government.
(i) Definitions.--In this Act the following definitions apply:
(1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(3) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of attendance'' has
the meaning given that term in section 472 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution
of higher education'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965; and
(5) Scholarship program.--The term ``scholarship program''
means the Science and Technology Scholarship Program
established under this section.
II. PURPOSE OF THIS BILL
The purpose of H.R. 2364 is to promote scientific expertise
at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
by establishing a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to
award scholarships to recruit and prepare students for careers
in the National Weather Service (NWS) and in NOAA marine and
atmospheric research, and satellite programs.
III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
There is growing concern that too few American students
pursue science, math and engineering and that the federal
government will not be able to replenish its ranks of
scientists as the current cohort retires. This Act provides
incentives to study science, math or engineering and to work
for NOAA by awarding scholarships to students who agree to work
for the agency upon completion of their degree. This Act is
virtually identical to a law enacted during the 108th Congress
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (P.L.
108-176 and P.L. 108-201). The legislation is based on the
Robert Noyce Scholarship Program at the National Science
Foundation under which students must teach in return for
scholarship aid (P.L. 107-368). In addition, the House has
twice passed Science Committee legislation to create a similar
program in the Department of Energy.
IV. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS
The House Committee on Science has held numerous hearings
over the years on workforce development and scholarship issues.
These hearings have all pointed to the need for the federal
government to provide incentives to help create a workforce
with scientific expertise.
V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS
On May 16, 2005, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced
H.R. 2364, which was referred to the Committee on Science.
On May 17, 2005, the Committee on Science met to consider
H.R. 2364, and considered the following amendment to the bill:
1. Ms. Jackson-Lee offered an amendment which makes
clear that students in historically black colleges and
similar institutions serving other minorities should
receive consideration under this scholarship program.
The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
The motion to adopt the bill as amended passed by voice
vote. Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the
bill H.R. 2364, as amended, to the House with the
recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass; that the
staff be instructed to prepare the legislative report and make
necessary technical and conforming changes; and that the
Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the
House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion was
agreed to by voice vote.
VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
H.R. 2364:
Authorizes the Administrator of NOAA to
establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program
to award scholarships to recruit and prepare students
for careers in the National Weather Service and NOAA's
marine and atmospheric research and satellite programs.
Requires that scholarship recipients agree
to serve as full-time employees of NOAA for 24 months
for every year of scholarship provided.
Requires that, to be eligible for a
scholarship, a student: (1) must be enrolled or
accepted to be enrolled full time in an institution of
higher education in a degree program in a field of
study acceptable to the Administrator of NOAA; (2) must
be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and (3) may
not be a Federal employee.
VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS (BY TITLE AND SECTION)
Section 1. Science and Technology Scholarship Program
Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a Science and
Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit
and prepare students for careers in the National Weather
Service and the NOAA's marine research, atmospheric research,
and satellite programs.
Requires that scholarship recipients be selected through a
competitive process primarily on the basis of academic merit
with consideration given to financial need and other factors.
Requires that scholarship recipients agree to serve as
full-time employees of NOAA for 24 months for every year of
scholarship provided, except in cases where the Administrator
of NOAA determines that compliance with this requirement would
cause the recipient extreme hardship or would be contrary to
the best interests of the Government.
Establishes that to be eligible for a scholarship a student
(1) must be enrolled or accepted to be enrolled full time in an
institution of higher education in a degree program in a field
of study acceptable to the Administrator of NOAA, (2) must be a
U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and (3) may not be a
Federal employee.
Prohibits an individual from receiving a scholarship for
more than 4 academic years.
Authorizes the Administrator of NOAA to establish the
amount of the scholarship, but prohibits the amount from being
greater than the cost of attendance. Restricts the use of
scholarships to tuition, fees, and other expenses authorized by
the Administrator.
Requires that scholarship recipients who fail to maintain a
high level of academic standing, are dismissed from their
educational institution for disciplinary reasons, or who
voluntarily terminate their academic training before graduation
repay to the Federal government all scholarship funds paid to
them and to their educational institution. Requires that
scholarship recipients who fail to begin or complete their
service obligation to the Federal government repay the total
amount of scholarship awards plus interest.
The section also provides definitions used in the bill.
VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS
The Committee is concerned about the ability of NOAA to
attract and retain the scientific and technical personnel it
needs to effectively carry out its programs. The Act awards
scholarships for talented young scientists accepted for
enrollment at institutions of higher education in scientific
and technical disciplines of importance to NOAA, who must then
work at the agency for two years for every one year of
scholarship. The Committee believes that this program will
provide an important tool for recruiting talented young
scientists to government service, particularly in agencies,
such as the National Weather Service and NOAA, which have
positions demanding a high degree of scientific or technical
literacy.
IX. COST ESTIMATE
A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to
the Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and
is included in Section X of this report pursuant to House Rule
XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
H.R. 2364 contains no new budget authority, credit
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R.
2364 does authorize additional discretionary spending, as
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.
X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, June 2, 2005.
Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert,
Chairman, Committee on Science,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2364, a bill to
establish a science and technology scholarship program to award
scholarships to recruit and prepare students for careers in the
National Weather Service and in the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration marine research, atmospheric
research, and satellite programs.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 2364--A bill to establish a science and technology scholarship
program to award scholarships to recruit and prepare students
for careers in the National Weather Service and in the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine research,
atmospheric research, and satellite programs
H.R. 2364 would authorize the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide scholarships to
individuals who are enrolled in appropriate science and
technology programs at colleges or universities and who agree
to work for the agency after graduation.
Assuming the availability of appropriated funds and based
on information from NOAA, CBO estimates that implementing the
authorized scholarship program would cost NOAA about $500,000
annually. We estimate that enacting the bill would have no
effect on direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 2364 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis.
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
HR. 2364 contains no unfunded mandates.
XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee on Science's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this Act is to enhance the ability of NOAA to
attract and retain scientists.
XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 2364.
XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
H.R. 2364 does not create any advisory committees.
XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
The Committee finds that H.R. 2364 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
statute.
XVIII. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 17, 2005, a quorum being present, the Committee on
Science favorably reported H.R. 2364, by voice vote and
recommended its enactment.
XIX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 2364, TO
ESTABLISH A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO AWARD
SCHOLARSHIPS TO RECRUIT AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION MARINE RESEARCH, ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH, AND SATELLITE
PROGRAMS
----------
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in Room
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L.
Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Boehlert. I want to welcome everyone here today
for this markup of bills concerning the heavens and the Earth
and to the agencies that explore them, NOAA and NASA.
Now let me just say this before I give you the rest of this
wonderful statement.
The Committee on Science will come to order. Pursuant to
notice, the Committee on Science meets to consider the
following measures: H.R. 50, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Act; H.R. 2363, To establish a Science and
Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit
and prepare students for careers in the National Weather
Service and in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration marine research, atmospheric research, and
satellite programs; H.R. 426, Remote Sensing Applications Act
of 2005, and H.R. 1022, the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth
Object Survey Act.
I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the
Committee at any point during consideration of these matters,
and without objection, it is so ordered.
We will now proceed with the markup beginning with the
opening statements, and I will continue mine.
The main bill before us today is the NOAA Organic Act
introduced by Dr. Ehlers, which we had initially planned to
markup last week. This bill will give NOAA a firm legislative
grounding, something that was called for by the Ocean
Commission, among others. The Administration has also called
for an Organic Act for NOAA.
But our bill will do more than merely found NOAA into law.
It will raise the profile of science at NOAA and improve its
management. The bill also will greatly improve oversight of the
agency by ensuring that Congress and the public get the
information needed to evaluate NOAA's organizational structure,
facilities plans, budgeting, and satellite programs. This is a
solid bill that will strengthen the agency.
And now we look forward to working with the Resources
Committee, which shares jurisdiction over portions of NOAA, to
get this bill to the Floor. Also related to NOAA, we will take
up Congressman Rohrabacher's bill to create a Scholarship for
Service Program at NOAA. And he is a real leader on that
effort, and we applaud that. We have done the same thing with
NASA and the Department of Energy. Service scholarships are a
great way to entice students into science, math, and
engineering while also helping the Federal Government develop
the workforce it will need. These scholarships have been
championed tirelessly by Congressman Rohrabacher, and I
congratulate him for that.
We are running the scholarship program through as a
separate bill, because specific program authorizations
generally are not part of agency Organic Acts. We will also
take up two bills related to space today. These were last-
minute additions to today's roster, which is something we have
generally avoided on this committee. But this seemed like an
opportune time to move these bills, and we continue to work on
them through manager's amendments on the Floor.
Mr. Udall's bill, which the Committee also passed last
Congress, concerns remote sensing. Mr. Udall will offer an
amendment that will take care of concerns raised by companies
in the remote sensing data business, concerns that have stymied
progress on this bill in the past. I know that Mr. Bonner and
I, perhaps some others, have some further ideas for perfecting
the bill, and we will work on those as the bill moves forward.
Mr. Rohrabacher's bill focuses on near-Earth objects, a
subject that has long concerned him and has gotten quite a bit
of publicity lately. Congressman Rohrabacher has helped us all
understand that asteroids may present a real threat to Earth
and that we need to pay greater attention to them. All of these
bills will improve our lives through increasing our
understanding of the Earth, how it works, and what may threaten
it.
As usual, these bills represent a bipartisan effort, and I
take pride in that. I look forward to their passage.
The Chair recognizes Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon.
[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood L. Boehlert
I want to welcome everyone here today for this markup of bills
concerning the heavens and the Earth--and to the agencies that explore
them, NOAA and NASA.
The main bill before us today is the NOAA Organic Act, introduced
by Dr. Ehlers, which we had initially planned to mark up last week.
This bill will give NOAA a firm legislative grounding, something that
was called for by the Ocean Commission among others. The Administration
has also called for an Organic Act for NOAA.
But our bill will do more than merely found NOAA in law. It will
raise the profile of science at NOAA and improve its management. The
bill also will greatly improve oversight of the agency by ensuring that
Congress--and the public--get the information needed to evaluate NOAA's
organizational structure, facilities plans, budgeting and satellite
programs. This is a solid bill that will strengthen the agency.
And now we look forward to working with the Resources Committee,
which shares jurisdiction over portions of NOAA, to get this bill to
the Floor.
Also related to NOAA, we will take up Congressman Rohrabacher's
bill to create a scholarship for service program at NOAA, as we have at
NASA and the Department of Energy. Service scholarships are a great way
to entice students into science, math and engineering while also
helping the Federal Government develop the workforce it will need.
These scholarships have been championed tirelessly by Congressman
Rohrabacher, and I congratulate him for that.
We are running the scholarship program through as a separate bill
because specific program authorizations generally are not part of
agency organic acts.
We will also take up two bills related to space today. These were
last minute additions to today's roster, which is something we have
generally avoided on this committee. But this seemed like an opportune
time to move these bills, and we can continue to work on them through
manager's amendments on the Floor.
Mr. Udall's bill, which the Committee also passed last Congress,
concerns remote sensing. Mr. Udall will offer an amendment that will
take care of concerns raised by companies in the remote sensing data
business--concerns that have stymied progress on this bill in the past.
I know that Mr. Bonner and I and perhaps some others have some further
ideas for ``perfecting'' the bill, and we will work on those as the
bill moves forward.
Mr. Rohrabacher's bill focuses on Near-Earth Objects, a subject
that has long concerned him and that has gotten quite a bit of press
lately. Congressman Rohrabacher has helped us all understand that
asteroids may present a real threat to Earth and that we need to pay
greater attention to them.
All of these bills will improve our lives through increasing our
understanding of the Earth, how it works and what may threaten it. As
usual, these bills represent a bipartisan effort. I look forward to
their passage.
Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You have summed up
what we are going to do this morning very well. I just want to
concur that it is a good idea, I think, to take up these
additional three bills today, and I want to give my thanks to
the staff on both sides for the good cooperative work that they
have done over the last week in trying to bring NOAA together
as well as these three bills, and I look forward to the markup.
And I yield my time back.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon
I want to thank the Chairman for scheduling this markup.
Originally we were to just take up H.R. 50 today, but I think it is
to the advantage of our Members that we will expeditiously take up
three other bills, all of which can probably move on suspension on the
Floor.
In addition to the NOAA organic act, I am especially pleased to see
the Remote Sensing Act move through Committee. We have dealt with this
in past Congresses and I am happy the Chairman agrees that we can move
that bill forward today.
I don't want to delay the process here this morning with an
extensive preliminary statement, but let me take a moment to thank
staff on both sides of the aisle for their work to handle these bills.
I think the Members have been well served through their efforts.
With that, I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much.
Without objection, Members may place statements in the
record at this point.
Now we will move on to consider three relatively non-
controversial bills. We will now consider H.R. 2364, To
establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to award
scholarships to recruit and prepare students for careers in the
National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration marine research, atmospheric
research, and satellite programs.
I recognize Mr. Rohrabacher to present his remarks on the
bill.
Mr. Rohrabacher. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
This bill is part of my effort to follow through on some of
the hearings that we have had, and let me commend the Chairman
for bringing the information necessary for us to understand the
problem that does exist. I will keep expressing my appreciation
to the Chairman until he hears it. We appreciate, Mr. Chairman,
that the hearings that you have called before this committee
has enlightened us to the need, education needs, for
engineering and scientific type of education opportunities for
Americans. And in fact, we have also learned, through hearings
that you have called, that there are many--that many of our
schools, graduate schools in particular, that there is plenty
of room for Americans, because more than half of the students
that are getting graduate degrees in the sciences are from
overseas.
And what we have here in my legislation is an attempt to
try to address this problem of a lack of, frankly, Americans
getting educated in science and engineering and mathematics. I
will be moving this same type of amendment, although this is
coming up as a separate bill, for other science-related
organizations within the Federal Government. But it permits
these organizations, whether it was NASA and here, in this
case, with NOAA or in the future with things like the patent
office, et cetera, it permits them to determine their needs
within their agency for the educational needs of people that
they may need in the future for personnel and to provide a
scholarship that will pay the entire expenses for any student
that would like to go on, and this is undergraduate as well as
graduate, to educate themselves in the sciences and mathematics
and those areas that can be used by NOAA and other agencies.
This legislation provides that they may have a scholarship, a
full scholarship, and instead of asking for repayment, we are
asking for service within that government agency. This is very
much like the GI bill we have for people who serve in the
military, but we are aiming it at the sciences and--because
there is a great shortfall today.
This bill will also, I might add, help those in the private
sector, those companies in the private sector, who are having
trouble recruiting educated young people, because this does
require two years of service for every year of scholarship, but
after that time period, if they don't like working for that
government agency, they are free to move on, or they are free
to buy--to pay back the scholarship and--but pay it back, and
with interest, if they choose not to work for the government
agency.
So what we have here is an answer to some of the problems
that your leadership has exposed, and I thank you very much for
letting us move forward in the legislation. And thank you for
your leadership in helping us understand the problem and a way
we can solve it.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much, Mr. Rohrabacher.
And I can just say that every single Member of this
committee, from one end to the other, can take great pride in
what we are about on this committee, but particularly as we are
addressing the need for better educated and greater quantity of
better educated people in the science, math, and engineering
disciplines. Every single one of us can take pride in the
leadership role played by this committee.
And Mr. Rohrabacher, you are a leader among leaders.
Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Just quickly, this is another good bill by Mr.
Rohrabacher, and I want to particularly say thank you for
adding the special consideration to be given for financial need
in awarding these scholarships.
And I yield to my friend from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee.
Ms. Jackson Lee. I thank the distinguished gentleman.
And I would like to offer an amendment at this time.
Chairman Boehlert. Not just yet, but you are first up.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read
and open to amendment at any point and that Members proceed
with the amendments in the order on the roster. Without
objection, so ordered.
The first amendment is offered by the distinguished
gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee. And you are obviously
prepared.
The Clerk will report the amendment.
Ms. Tessieri. Amendment to H.R. 2364 offered by Ms. Jackson
Lee of Texas.
Chairman Boehlert. And distribute the amendment, please.
And while the amendment is being distributed, Ms. Jackson
Lee is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment.
Ms. Jackson Lee. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member for
their kindness and Mr. Rohrabacher. I recognize him as having
focused us on this very important challenge and this very
important legislative initiative that speaks to the adequate
supply of scientists and engineers to meet the workforce needs
of the national workforce.
I compliment the gentleman in identifying women and
minorities as important candidates for the scholarship program
he has proposed.
My amendment clarifies his attempt by emphasizing the
contribution that can be made by historically black colleges
and universities and their counterpart institutions that serve
Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans in meeting
the goals of this legislation.
And I thank the Science Committee staff for their mutual
and collegiate and collaborative work on this amendment.
These institutions, historically, have produced a large
number proportion of the Nation's minority scientists and
engineers, and we need to strengthen these efforts as we
address potential scientific and technical workforce shortages
if we are to encourage the young people of America to focus
their sites on science. We must give them the opportunity and
create the jobs.
I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.
I yield back.
Chairman Boehlert. The Chair recognizes Mr. Rohrabacher.
Mr. Rohrabacher. I would be happy to accept this amendment
in the spirit of the Tuskegee Institute and Booker T.
Washington, who was one of the great scientific minds, as well
as--and respect for the many great, I might add, African
American inventors that have contributed so much to our society
but sometimes don't get the credit that they deserve. And I
understand the great contributions that these people have made,
and this will just make sure that their heirs have that same
opportunity and that our country benefits from that same
contribution.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much, Ms. Jackson Lee.
Thank you for the amendment.
Thank you for your endorsement.
Is there no further discussion? The vote occurs on the
amendment. All in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have
it, and the amendment is agreed to.
Are there any other amendments? Hearing none, the vote is
on the bill, H.R. 2364, To establish a Science and Technology
Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit and
prepare students for careers in the National Weather Service
and in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine
research, atmospheric research, and satellite programs, as
amended. All of those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. In the
opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
The Chair is going to try to move rapidly, because the
other two items on the agenda are non-contentious, and we are
told that we are going to have a series of votes momentarily.
I recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a motion.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee
favorably report H.R. 2364, as amended, to the House with the
recommendation that the bill and the amendments do pass.
Furthermore, I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the
legislative report and make necessary technical and conforming
changes and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring
the bill before the House for consideration.
Chairman Boehlert. The question is on the motion to report
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify
by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is
favorably reported.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon
the table.
I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in
which to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on
the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the
Rules of the House of Representatives that the Committee
authorizes the Chairman to offer such motions as may be
necessary in the House to adopt and pass H.R. 2364, as amended.
Without objection, so ordered.
I want to thank everybody for participating and for your
attendance and indulgence.
This concludes our Committee markup.
[Whereupon, at 11:15 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
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H.R. 2364, Amendment Roster