Date: 2010-05-04
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res.1307. "Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation." As a former member of the House Science Committee. I would like to thank my colleague Representative BART GORDON for introducing this legislation as it is important that we recognize the important role that the National Science Foundation has played in support of education. research and innovation in our country. Mr. Speaker. the National Science Foundation was originally created by this very bodythe United States Congressin 1950. The intent of Congress at the time was to promote the progress of science. to advance the national health. prosperity. and welfare. and to secure our nation through defense technology and innovation. Since that time. the National Science Foundation has worked diligently to ensure that the United States maintains its expertise and precision in discovery and innovation in addition to education in science. engineering. and mathematics. Additionally. the National Science Foundation was created with the intent of helping to educate the children of our nation and give them the tools necessary to become doctors. researchers. astronauts and chemists. As the Chairwoman of the Congressional Childrens Caucus. I fully support the National Science Foundation in its efforts towards childhood education and I understand the great importance of educating our children in these areas. Moreover. the National Science Foundation supports science. technology. engineering. and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels from elementary schools to national research universities. We all know the great importance this type of education has on children and I applaud the National Science Foundation for its dedication to highquality education for the children of our nation. In addition. Mr. Speaker. the National Science Foundation had made many significant contributions to our collective standard of living and economy. By creating opportunities for research and innovation in new areas. our nation has benefited from cuttingedge medical tools. safer cars and transportation systems as well as defense innovations that have helped to protect the American people from those that would seek to do us harm. Through its research capacities. the National Science Foundation supports a network of 200.000 individuals each year. including scientists. engineers. students. and educators at over 2.000 colleges and universities. schools. nonprofit organizations. science centers and museums. and small businesses throughout our Nation. The National Science Foundation also works with and funds multiuser facilities and tools for conducting worldclass research and training initiatives. In addition to these efforts. the National Science Foundation has taken a protective stance for our country against the threat of earthquakes and other natural and manmade disasters. Through its National Hazards Reduction Program. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation. the Approaches to Combat Terrorism program. and similar research activities the National Science Foundation has contributed to predicting and reducing the risk of devastation from natural and manmade disasters during the past decade. The National Science Foundation has also funded quickresponse research at the sites of unprecedented national and international tragedies. including the September 11 attacks on the United States. the South Asian earthquake and tsunami. Hurricane Katrina. and the Haitian earthquake. These response and research efforts have helped to contribute to further preventing and mitigating the impact of future disasters. I stand today with Representative BART GORDON and other members of Congress in reaffirming our national commitment and appreciation for the National Science Foundation as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. I would also like to thank and praise the thousands of scientists. engineers. researchers and administrators who have worked in conjunction with the National Science Foundation towards the creation of new technologies and the improvement of our collective standards of living. I ask my colleagues for their support of H. Res. 1307. as well as for their continued support for the National Science Foundation and its initiatives. By maintaining and increasing the capacity of our nation to research and develop new technologies and innovations. I am confident that the United States will continue to be a leader in the market for technology products for years to come. I would like to again thank my colleague Representative BART GORDON for his leadership in introducing this bill as well as for his support of the National Science Foundation. Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1307.