II 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 899 

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

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 8, 2013 

Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. WICKER, Ms. AYOTTE, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. 

COCHRAN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, and Mr. BOOZMAN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to 

the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

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: 

8 (1) Scientific research and advancement has 

9 driven success in the United States and global suc10 cess for centuries. 


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

2 extended lives, increased the standard of living, ex3 panded economic opportunity, and advanced human 

4 understanding. 

5 (3) Such research holds the promise of con6 tinuing this progress, protecting the environment, 

7 creating jobs, growing the economy through innova8 tive ideas and discoveries, and generally advancing 

9 all mankind. 

10 (4) People in the United States can benefit 

11 when scientific research is conducted and commu12 nicated in a transparent manner to better inform 

13 citizens about the nature and status of such re14 search. 

15 (5) Scientific education is a critical element of 

16 preparing our Nation and our citizens for a tech17 nology-intensive future and ensuring that the United 

18 States remains the world leader in innovation and 

19 high-tech success. 

20 (6) A single spokesperson who can embody, 

21 demonstrate, and articulate the importance and ex22 citement of scientific research and education will 

23 help improve the current and future state of science 

24 to the benefit of all people in the United States. 


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1 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE LAUREATES OF THE 

2 UNITED STATES. 

3 (a) POSITION ESTABLISHED.—Congress recognizes 

4 that science contributes to the economic prosperity and 

5 general welfare of the United States, and that increasing 

6 the public’s awareness about the sciences will increase 

7 such benefits. Congress also recognizes that scientists who 

8 are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the 

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

10 United States. To honor their service and to further in11 crease the public’s awareness about the sciences, there is 

12 established the position of Science Laureate of the United 

13 States. 

14 (b) APPOINTMENT.— 

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

16 a Science Laureate on the basis of— 

17 (A) merit, particularly the ability of an in18 dividual to— 

19 (i) foster and enhance public aware20 ness and interest in science; and 

21 (ii) provide ongoing significant sci22 entific contributions; and 

23 (B) recommendations received from the 

24 National Academy of Sciences, based on the 

25 factors described in subparagraph (A). 


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1 (2) VARIETY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES.—The 

2 President shall strive to choose for the position of 

3 Science Laureate of the United States individuals, in 

4 different years, from different scientific disciplines, 

5 including biology, physics, geosciences, astronomy, 

6 mathematics, chemistry, and other science dis7 ciplines. 

8 (3) NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS.—The Presi9 dent may, in exceptional circumstances, appoint 

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

11 to serve simultaneously in the position of Science 

12 Laureate of the United States. 

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

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

15 awareness about science. A Science Laureate is encour16 aged to continue the Science Laureate’s scientific work. 

17 The National Academy of Sciences shall facilitate the du18 ties of a Science Laureate. 

19 (d) LIMITATION.—The Science Laureate position 

20 shall not have the effect of duplicating or superseding the 

21 role of the President’s Science Advisor. 

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

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

24 Science Laureate may be reappointed for additional terms. 

25 (f) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.— 


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1 (1) COMPENSATION.—A Science Laureate shall 

2 serve without pay and shall not be considered to be 

3 a Federal employee based on such individual’s ap4 pointment as a Science Laureate. 

5 (2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL.—The Na6 tional Academy of Sciences may, in its discretion, 

7 provide a Science Laureate with reimbursement for 

8 travel expenses incurred while performing duties as 

9 a Science Laureate, including per diem in lieu of 

10 subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 

11 in the same manner as persons employed intermit12 tently in the Government service are allowed ex13 penses under section 5703 of title 5, United States 

14 Code. 

Æ 


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