39–006 

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 

2 

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 

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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 

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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. 

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• Requires that scholarship recipients agree to serve as fulltime 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 imporVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:35 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR151.XXX HR151
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tance 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 anVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:35 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR151.XXX HR151
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nually. 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. 

(9) 

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. NearEarth 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, someVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:35 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR151.XXX HR151
10 

thing 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. 

11 

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 reVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:35 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR151.XXX HR151
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cruit 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 

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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, 

14 

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.] 

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Appendix: 

H.R. 2364, AMENDMENT ROSTER

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