Expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third Monday in September as "National Postdoc Appreciation Week".

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1545) expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third Monday in September as ``National Postdoc Appreciation Week''.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1545 into the Record.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1545, which supports designation of this week as National Postdoc Appreciation Week.

Postdoctoral students, or postdocs, are academic or scholarly researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are deepening their

expertise in a subject through mentored research or scholarly training. Postdocs often produce important works for publication in their field and bolster institutional research capabilities. They are a critically important source of innovation and are responsible for much of the cutting-edge research performed in this country that leads to the creation of jobs. This research has led to scientific developments and critical advancements in health, science, computers, and technology. Many postdocs later become full- and part-time faculty at our Nation's research institutions, teaching the next generation of undergraduates and graduates and continuing to build upon their research.

In all these ways and more, postdocs represent the best and brightest products of our research universities, and the future of our Nation's research efforts rests largely on their shoulders. Unfortunately, despite their great academic performance and contributions, postdocs are routinely provided with poor working conditions, paid low wages relative to their years of training, while working long hours, and are frequently ineligible for medical benefits, worker's compensation, disability insurance, paid maternity or paternity leave, or retirement accounts. Too often, postdocs are isolated and have little support from the institutions that benefit directly from their research.

In April of this year, the Education and Labor Committee held a field hearing to examine problems with first contract labor negotiations between the University of California and their postdoctoral scholars' union. It took the postdocs 3 years to unionize, and in November 2008, the Postdocs Union was finally certified by the California Public Employment Relations Board. This August, I am happy to say, the postdocs were able to complete their first contract negotiations, and we congratulate them on securing economic justice for themselves and their families.

It is impressive to see postdocs who not only excel in their personal lab work, but also give of their time and energy and leadership talents in order to improve working conditions in the lives for everyone in their field.

National Postdoc Appreciation Week helps to increase awareness of the many contributions postdoctoral scholars have made and continue to make to scientific research in America and the need to guarantee that they have fair employment standards in order to continue pursuing critical lifesaving research.

Last year, in September of 2009, over 70 U.S. research institutions participated in the first National Postdoc Appreciation Day. This year, Postdoc Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for institutions of higher education--like the University of Colorado at Boulder in my congressional district--businesses, research organizations, and others to honor and support the contributions of postdocs.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Stearns for introducing this resolution and once again express my support for National Postdoc Appreciation Week, beginning the third Monday in September. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting National Postdoc Appreciation Week beginning, again, the week of the third Monday in September. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and showing strong support for the work and the contributions of postdocs across this country.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1545, expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third Monday of September--this week--as National Postdoc Appreciation Week, and join with the gentleman from Colorado in recognizing Mr. Stearns, the gentleman from Florida, for his sponsorship of this resolution.

Postdoctoral research is academic or scholarly research conducted by a person who has completed his or her doctoral studies, normally within the following 5 years. It is intended to further deepen expertise in a specialized subject area, including necessary skills and methods. Postdoctoral research is often considered essential to the scholarly mission of the host institution and is expected to produce relevant publications accordingly.

Postdoctoral research may be funded through an appointment with a salary or an appointment with a stipend or sponsorship award. Appointments for such research positions may be called postdoctoral research fellow, postdoctoral research associate, or postdoctoral research assistant. Depending on the type of appointment, postdoctoral researchers may work independently or under the supervision of a principal investigator.

Postdocs make invaluable contributions to the research enterprise, which is important if the United States is to remain competitive in a global market. To do so, we must make every effort to attract the best and the brightest men and women from all groups, including international scholars, to ensure that progress and innovation takes place in all fields of study.

Today, we recognize the accomplishments and contributions postdocs make to relevant institutions, fields of study, and communities around the world. We encourage the improvement of training and career opportunities in various research fields at all levels of training and stages of all research careers.

I urge all my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker be authorized to entertain motions to suspend the rules on the legislative day of Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, relating to the following measures:

S. 1674; H.R. 5307; House Resolution 1545; House Resolution 1560; House Resolution 1582; a bill to renew the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve demonstration projects designed to test innovative strategies in state child welfare programs; and a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes.