Foundation support of basic research has had a profound impact in the state university system and at virtually every other institution of higher learning and research in New York. But NSF impact transcends the scholarly world. NSF supported much of the development of software on which the Internet depends. Its network operations center is at the RPI Technology Park in North Greenbush. NSF-funded research, begun in the 1960s and reported in 1972, identified acid rain and its effects at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire.
Acid rain is a serious and persistent concern to our region.
Given the NSF's enormous importance, yet ironically low profile, we feel honored to help celebrate its 50th anniversary with a public convocation at 2 p.m. Monday in our campus center. We will also recognize the significant leadership of the agency's remarkable director, Rita Colwell. This is also a perfect time to hail NSF's achievements to Congress, which is debating appropriation levels for next year. In his 2001 fiscal year budget, President Clinton proposed a 17.2 percent increase in NSF's overall budget. Foundation funding has lagged behind both the demand and potential and so this funding is dearly needed and overdue.