I 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1891 

To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 8, 2013 

Ms. LOFGREN (for herself, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. PETERS of California, Mr. SWALWELL

of California, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. TAKANO, 

Ms. ESTY, Mr. KILMER, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, 

Mr. HULTGREN, Mr. BERA of California, and Ms. WILSON of Florida) 

introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 

Science, Space, and Technology 

A BILL 

To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United 

States. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Science Laureates of 

5 the United States Act of 2013’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress finds the following: 


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1 (1) Scientific research and advancement has 

2 driven success in the United States and global suc3 cess for centuries. 

4 (2) Scientific research has saved, improved, and 

5 extended lives, increased the standard of living, ex6 panded economic opportunity, and advanced human 

7 understanding. 

8 (3) Such research holds the promise of con9 tinuing this progress, protecting the environment, 

10 creating jobs, growing the economy through innova11 tive ideas and discoveries, and generally advancing 

12 all mankind. 

13 (4) People in the United States can benefit 

14 when scientific research is conducted and commu15 nicated in a transparent manner to better inform 

16 citizens about the nature and status of such re17 search. 

18 (5) Scientific education is a critical element of 

19 preparing our Nation and our citizens for a tech20 nology-intensive future and ensuring that the United 

21 States remains the world leader in innovation and 

22 high-tech success. 

23 (6) A spokesperson who can embody, dem24 onstrate, and articulate the importance and excite25 ment of scientific research and education will help 


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1 improve the current and future state of science to 

2 the benefit of all people in the United States. 

3 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE LAUREATES OF THE 

4 UNITED STATES. 

5 (a) POSITION ESTABLISHED.—Congress recognizes 

6 that science contributes to the economic prosperity and 

7 general welfare of the United States, and that increasing 

8 the public’s awareness about the sciences will increase 

9 such benefits. Congress also recognizes that scientists who 

10 are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the 

11 public’s interest in science do a special service to the 

12 United States. To honor their service and to further in13 crease the public’s awareness about the sciences, there is 

14 established the position of Science Laureate of the United 

15 States. 

16 (b) APPOINTMENT.— 

17 (1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint 

18 a Science Laureate on the basis of— 

19 (A) merit, particularly the ability of an in20 dividual to— 

21 (i) foster and enhance public aware22 ness and interest in science; and 

23 (ii) provide ongoing significant sci24 entific contributions; and 


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1 (B) recommendations received from the 

2 National Academy of Sciences, based on the 

3 factors described in subparagraph (A). 

4 (2) VARIETY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES.—The 

5 President shall strive to choose for the position of 

6 Science Laureate of the United States individuals, in 

7 different years, from different scientific disciplines, 

8 including biology, physics, geosciences, astronomy, 

9 mathematics, chemistry, and other science dis10 ciplines. 

11 (3) NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS.—The Presi12 dent may, in exceptional circumstances, appoint 

13 more than 1, but not more than 3 Science Laureates 

14 to serve simultaneously in the position of Science 

15 Laureate of the United States. 

16 (c) DUTIES.—Each Science Laureate shall engage 

17 the public, from time to time, to increase the public’s 

18 awareness about science. A Science Laureate is encour19 aged to continue the Science Laureate’s scientific work. 

20 The National Academy of Sciences shall facilitate the du21 ties of a Science Laureate. 

22 (d) LIMITATION.—The Science Laureate position 

23 shall not have the effect of duplicating or superseding the 

24 role of the President’s Science Advisor. 


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1 (e) TERM.—Each Science Laureate shall serve a 1- 

2 year or 2-year term, as determined by the President. A 

3 Science Laureate may be reappointed for additional terms. 

4 (f) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.— 

5 (1) COMPENSATION.—A Science Laureate shall 

6 serve without pay and shall not be considered to be 

7 a Federal employee based on such individual’s ap8 pointment as a Science Laureate. 

9 (2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL.—The Na10 tional Academy of Sciences may in its discretion 

11 provide a Science Laureate with reimbursement for 

12 travel expenses incurred while performing duties as 

13 a Science Laureate, including per diem in lieu of 

14 subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 

15 in the same manner as persons employed intermit16 tently in the Government service are allowed ex17 penses under section 5703 of title 5, United States 

18 Code. 

Æ 


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