Date: 2013-07-09
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I rise to support the amendment of the gentleman from Illinois . and I rise belatedly to support the amendment of the gentleman from Florida as well. Let me speak from the laymans perspective. although I served for a number of years on the Science Committee and presently serve on Homeland Security. which many of us know that when we deal with the issues of national security. were dealing with technology. were dealing with science. In essence. we secure this Nation by being victors of science. Let me use laymans terms. Let me use what children are studying in their classrooms. maybe Alexander Bell. maybe theyre studying Albert Einstein. but maybe they are studying and admire the Nations astronauts. For a number of years. I served. as I said. on the Science Committee and the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. and I could see how science permeated not only what we do here on Earth. but obviously space science. It seems to me. although I appreciate the heavy lifting of the chairman and the ranking member of this subcommittee on making determinations and going forward. what is America if we cannot invest in science? Science is the job creator of the 21st century and the centuries beyond. Science provides jobs by creating new technology. new discoveries. and I. frankly. believe that it is sufferingthat we have to subject America to the drastic cuts in science. the drastic cuts that will result in less research in labs. less private research. less teaching on science. and less growth and expansion on scientific inventions and obviously productivity. So I would hope that. as the gentleman from Illinois has explained. it is a minute aspect of the funding source. and that we could balance our weaponry needs with the idea of advancing science. Thats what I see these amendments as doing. both Mr. HASTINGS and Mr. FOSTERs. attempting to not allow America to take a back seat or a secondclass position on research and science. It is clear that our best days are in front of us. and that America has grown and advanced because we have allowed the genius of science to be able to promote. not only our democracy. but our creativity and the curers of diseases. and also the finding of technology and the creation of invention that have made the quality of life better. Thats what science is. it is human. it is humanity. And so I would ask my colleagues to consider the amendment. I rise to support science. I think it is valuable. I think it is important. And I think this is a difficult challenge for our committee. for this committee. but I do think that. as we proceed. we need to find a way to increase the funding for science. for us to be able to go forward in the greatness of this Nation in many. many ways. But science has been a way that America has proven her greatness because weve allowed those with talent and opportunity to be able to share that talent in advancing the quality of life. not only for Americans. but humankind. Id ask my colleagues to support the amendment. and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois .