From: rsherme@diamond.nswc.navy.mil (Russel Shermer (R43))
Newsgroups: sci.research
Subject: fyi #156: Louis Stokes Named New NSF/NASA Appropriations...
Keywords: science, research, legislation, policy, nsf, nasa, congress.
Date: 16 Dec 92 22:57:21 GMT
Reply-To: rsherme@chaos.nswc.navy.mil
Organization: NAVSWC DD White Oak Det. R43

Posted for:
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
Contact: Richard M. Jones
Phone: (202) 332-9661
Email: fyi@aip.org



Louis Stokes Named New NSF/NASA Appropriations Subcommittee
Chairman

FYI No. 156, December 14, 1992

In an action which is almost certain to have consequences for the
National Science Foundation and NASA, Rep. Louis Stokes has been
named chairman of the House Appropriations VA, HUD, Independent
Agencies Subcommittee.  Stokes replaces Rep. Bob Traxler, who
retired this year.

It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance which this
subcommittee, and its companion subcommittee in the Senate (headed
by Senator Barbara Mikulski) have in controlling NSF and NASA.  It
is not only the agencies' budgets which are determined by these
subcommittees, but in many cases their direction.

Rep. Stokes is thus going to be a very important person to NSF and
NASA, and their constituencies.  A brief biography of the new
chairman follows:

"My whole career has been one of fighting for the underdog," Stokes
commented in 1991.  He has represented Cleveland's East Side (what
is now the 11th district) for 24 years, in a district encompassing
poor inner-city areas and some of Ohio's most liberal communities
such as Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and portions of
University Heights.  In last month's election, the 68-year old
congressman won 78% of the vote.  His family has long been a
dominant force in Cleveland's politics.

Stokes has been a force in the House of Representatives as well.
He has served as chairman of the House Ethics Committee, a position
described by Republican leader Robert Michel as "the most
distasteful job in the House."  Stokes was also on the Intelligence
Committee's panel investigating the Reagan administration's Iran
arms sale.

Stokes has been prominent and effective in his support of minority
concerns as a member of the VA, HUD, IA Appropriations
Subcommittee.  He has worked for federal funding for black
colleges, housing programs, and for affirmative action.  During the
last few years at the NSF appropriations subcommittee hearings,
Stokes usually confined his questions to agency programs
encouraging minority students to study math and science.

Worth bearing in mind is this subcommittee's jurisdiction over the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  One of Stokes's
major responsibilities -- and headaches -- will be portioning out
his subcommittee's budget allocations to the many agencies under
his jurisdiction.  With a district still scarred from the 1960
riots, it would be surprising if HUD is not given more attention by
this subcommittee.

Other Democrats just named to this appropriations subcommittee are
Rep. Esteban Torres (D-Cal.) and Rep. Ray Thornton (D-Arkansas.)
Thornton has served on the House science committee.  Republicans
will finalize their assignments in January.

###############
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
Contact: Richard M. Jones
(202) 332-9661
##END##########