Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation.

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 body--the United States Congress--in 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 Children's 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 high- quality 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 cutting-edge 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 multi-user facilities and tools for conducting world-class 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 man-made 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 man- made disasters during the past decade.

The National Science Foundation has also funded quick-response 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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1307) honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1307, the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service in promoting the discoveries and innovations that have made this country great. As the Federal agency charged with ensuring U.S.

excellence in science, engineering, and mathematics through basic research and education, the Foundation's efforts have been critical to maintaining our leadership in a competitive world.

In addition to its primary mission to support fundamental research in all science and engineering disciplines, the Foundation supports many crosscutting and transformative research and education programs that should serve as models for other agencies and other nations. I will cite just a few examples here.

First, the Foundation supports Engineering Research Centers, which serve as models for public-private partnerships in areas of national needs. Today, the Foundation is funding ERCs in such areas as smart lighting, nanotechnology, and robotics.

Second, the Foundation supports much of the basic climate science and model development that will enable scientists and policymakers to understand and predict changes to the climate on a regional scale.

Finally, the Foundation supports the Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, a central piece of the K-12 STEM education initiatives included in the 2007 America COMPETES Act. The Noyce program provides scholarships to undergraduates who major in a STEM field while preparing to become certified or licensed to teach in a K-12 classroom. But this program is about more than providing scholarships. It is about reforming how K-12 STEM teachers are prepared. And no agency is better positioned to do this than the National Science Foundation.

Keeping America competitive provides good jobs and a strong, growing economy. That process begins with a high-quality educational system and continues with investments in new ideas and skilled people. The National Science Foundation's capable leadership and its staff meet these national needs with expertise and enthusiasm, and I commend them for the continued high caliber of their performance.

I want to thank the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Science and Technology, Mr. Gordon and Mr. Hall, for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1307, which honors the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the United States. This important measure recognizes the National Science Foundation for its continued leadership in promoting groundbreaking research and educational opportunities in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics--fields that are critical to the United States ability to compete in an increasingly technical global economy.

I would like to thank Chairman Gordon for sponsoring this resolution and for his leadership in bringing it to the floor.

Since its inception by Congress in 1950, the National Science Foundation has used grants to support the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics. In doing so, it has strengthened our economy and improved quality of life for Americans. Each year the National Science Foundation supports a network of over 200,000 individual scientists, engineers, students, and educators at over 2,000 colleges and universities, schools, nonprofits, science centers and museums, and small businesses.

As a former member of the Science and Technology Committee, I understand the importance of science in advancing and protecting our nation. More importantly, as the chairwoman of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Communication, Preparedness, and Response, I commend the National Science Foundation for its National Hazards Reduction Program, Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program, and other research activities that have predicted and reduced the risk of both natural and man-made disasters.

In or near my congressional district are multiple major critical infrastructure sites, including the Port of Long Beach, the Alameda Corridor, and the Gerald Desmond Bridge. This critical infrastructure is a vital part of the good movement throughout the nation. However, due to the high volume of cargo that travels through them daily, these infrastructure sites also represent real national security risks. Thus, I am particularly attuned to the importance of the National Science Foundation's efforts to engineer secure infrastructure and design programs that help identity and reduce national security threats.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the National Science Foundation is a driving force and a pioneer in the field science, engineering, and mathematics. I applaud the National Science Foundation for continuing to lead the nation by example in building a new generation of leaders in these fields, strengthening our economy, and protecting our citizens.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1307.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes due to a natural disaster in my district. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

May 4, 2009.

Rollcall vote 243, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1307--Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 244, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1213--Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 245, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1132--Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States--I would have voted ``aye.''

May 5, 2010.

Rollcall vote 246, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1320--Attempted Terrorist Attack in Times Square on May 1, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 247, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1272--Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 248, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1301--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day--I would have voted ``nay.''

May 6, 2010.

Rollcall vote 249, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 1329-- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5019) to provide for the establishment of the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 250, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1295--Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mothers Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 251, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 1722--Telework Improvements Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 252, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Barton of Texas Amendment No. 2--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 253, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Burgess of Texas Amendment No. 4--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 254, on motion to recommit with instructions--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 255, on passage--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise in support and as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 1307, honoring the 60th anniversary of the National Science Foundation. We are proud of the work of this independent agency that focuses on basic research in the frontiers of knowledge and is a very vital asset to our Nation. It's the only Federal agency that supports all fields of fundamental science and engineering, and makes sure that research is integrated with education so that our next generation of scientists and engineers are also world class. According to NSF, basic research is, quote, ``where discoveries begin,'' and I could not agree more.

NSF funds more than 10,000 new awardees a year. From those awards have come discoveries that have revolutionized the way every American lives in one way or another. It was NSF-funded research that led us to the Internet and to the Web browsers that we use today. Fundamental research supported by NSF is responsible for what we now know as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology.

Bar codes appear on nearly everything we purchase today, from toys to shoes to boxes of cereal, helping industries with a range of activities from inventory to marketing to pricing. This is yet another technology where the National Science Foundation plays a crucial role. The American Sign Language Dictionary, speech recognition technology, fiber optics, Doppler radar--all end results of NSF-sponsored research.

NSF-funded researchers have won more than 180 Nobel Prizes in numerous disciplines, and the agency leads a robust international research program in the polar regions, including managing U.S. interests in Antarctica.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the role of the current director of the Foundation and its recent accomplishments. Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr., has led the agency with distinction for the past 6 years. He will be returning to Purdue University in June. This Congress and Nation owe him a debt of gratitude for his service.

Likewise to those National Science Board members whose term is up next week, including President Steven G. Beering. We also appreciate his hard work and dedication in ensuring our scientific enterprise remains unsurpassed.

I encourage our colleagues to join Chairman Gordon and me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.