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 dedi-
cated to the support of education and fundamental re-
search in all scientific and engineering disciplines;
Whereas the National Science Foundation has worked con-
tinuously 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 initia-
tives, such as those in information technology and
nanotechnology;
Whereas the National Science Foundation funds almost
20,000 research and education projects in science and en-
gineering at over 2,000 colleges and universities, elemen-
tary and secondary schools, nonprofit organizations, and
small businesses throughout our Nation;
Whereas the National Science Foundation’s innovative edu-
cation programs work to ensure that every American stu-
dent 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 Foun-
dation 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 pro-
grams 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 eco-
nomic ties; and
Whereas research supported by the National Science Founda-
tion has led to discoveries, technologies, and products
which affect our daily lives, including a greater under-
standing of bacteria, viruses, and the structure of DNA;
medical diagnostic tools, such as Magnetic Resonance Im-
aging (MRI); the Internet, web browsers, and fiber op-
tics, 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 cy-
cles; and discoveries of new planets, black holes, and in-
sights into the nature of the universe: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes the significance of the anniver-
sary of the founding of the National Science Foun-
dation;
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(2) acknowledges the completion of 50 years of
achievement and service by the National Science
Foundation to the United States; and
(3) reaffirms its commitment for the next 50
years to support research, education, and techno-
logical advancement and discovery through the Na-
tional Science Foundation, the premier scientific
agency in the Federal Government.
Passed the House of Representatives May 8, 2001.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.