[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



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