III

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 108

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 9, 2001

Received

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Honoring the National Science Foundation for 50 years of

service to the Nation

Whereas Congress created the National Science Foundation

in 1950 to promote the progress of science, to advance

the national health, prosperity, and welfare, and to secure

the national defense;

Whereas the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 was

signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on May

10, 1950;
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Whereas the National Science Foundation strengthens the

economy and improves the quality of life in the United

States as the Federal Government’s only agency dedicated to the support of education and fundamental research in all scientific and engineering disciplines;

Whereas the National Science Foundation has worked continuously and successfully to ensure that the United

States maintains its leadership in discovery, learning, and

innovation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering;

Whereas the National Science Foundation has supported the

research of more than half of the United States Nobel

laureates in physics, chemistry, and economics;

Whereas the National Science Foundation has been the lead

Federal agency in a number of national science initiatives, such as those in information technology and

nanotechnology;

Whereas the National Science Foundation funds almost

20,000 research and education projects in science and engineering at over 2,000 colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, nonprofit organizations, and

small businesses throughout our Nation;

Whereas the National Science Foundation’s innovative education programs work to ensure that every American student receives a solid foundation in science, technology,

and mathematics through support for the training and

education of teachers, the public, and students of all ages

and backgrounds, and by supporting research into new

teaching tools, curricula, and methodologies;

Whereas the programs funded by the National Science Foundation are an exemplary demonstration of the value of

scientific peer review in selecting the most innovative and
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technically excellent research activities using a network of

over 50,000 scientists and engineers each year;

Whereas the National Science Foundation’s international programs promote new partnerships and cooperative projects

between United States scientists and engineers and their

foreign colleagues, and such partnerships play a key role

in establishing and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties; and

Whereas research supported by the National Science Foundation has led to discoveries, technologies, and products

which affect our daily lives, including a greater understanding of bacteria, viruses, and the structure of DNA;

medical diagnostic tools, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); the Internet, web browsers, and fiber optics, which have revolutionized global communication;

polymer materials used in products ranging from clothing

to automobiles; Doppler radar used for accurate weather

forecasting; artificial skin that can help recovering burn

victims; economic research in game and decision theory

which has led to a greater understanding of economic cycles; and discoveries of new planets, black holes, and insights into the nature of the universe: Now, therefore, be

it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the significance of the anniver4 sary of the founding of the National Science Foun5 dation;
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1 (2) acknowledges the completion of 50 years of

2 achievement and service by the National Science

3 Foundation to the United States; and

4 (3) reaffirms its commitment for the next 50

5 years to support research, education, and techno6 logical advancement and discovery through the Na7 tional Science Foundation, the premier scientific

8 agency in the Federal Government.

Passed the House of Representatives May 8, 2001.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.