House Science Committee Members Call for Renewed Investment in Science, Technology, and Education

Members Express Concern About Findings in National Academies Report

WASHINGTON, DC – Citing the United States’ threatened position in the global economy, Members of the House Science Committee from both parties today urged greater federal investment in K through 12 education and scientific research and development.

The Members made their call for increased funding at a Science Committee hearing examining a recently released report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) that warned that the United States faces serious challenges from global competition and that our nation’s economic health and standard of living are being threatened.  The report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, which was requested by Congress, urges renewed investment in K through 12 education, greater investment in basic research, incentives to improve higher education, and incentives to advance innovation.   

Testifying before the Committee were Norman Augustine, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Chairman of the NAS panel; P. Roy Vagelos, Retired Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co., and a member of the NAS panel; and William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering, and a participant in the NAS study.

Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) said, “The overarching message of the report is simple and clear, and it’s one the Congress had better heed.  And the message is this:  complacency will kill us.  If the United States rests on its withering laurels in this competitive world, we will witness the slow erosion of our pre-eminence, our security and our standard of living.  It’s a sobering message.”

“While Congress turns its attention to fixing the immediate problems caused by the literal storms that have hit our coasts, we can’t skimp on the funds needed to address the ‘gathering storm’ described so starkly in the report,” Boehlert added.  “We have authorized increased spending on basic research, including funding for research equipment and for more daring and cross-disciplinary research, but we clearly haven’t done nearly enough.  Science programs still have to scrounge around for every additional cent; young scientists still have to beg for funds; our education system is still producing too many students who cannot compete with their counterparts around the world; and the federal government is still ignoring our fundamental energy problems while wasting money pandering to special interests.”

“For many years, I have stressed the need to increase our national investment in fundamental research and education,” stated Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).  “Despite passing an authorization bill to double the budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 2008, we are still falling very short of that goal set by Congress in 2002.  Each year, the chasm between the authorization and appropriation broadens, while at the same time the NSF education budget continues to diminish.

“But today there is an increasing number of voices joining the chorus recognizing the need for change.  The voices are louder and clearer as the message begins to unify: build our science, technology, engineering and math skills, and we will maintain the strength and competitiveness of the United States.  Business, industry and academic leaders are all drawing attention to the connection between our prosperity and a technically-skilled workforce. As we see the indications that our science and math education is slipping, we are jeopardizing our quality of life and national security, especially for our children and grandchildren. Without bolstering our science and technology infrastructure, we cannot expect these trends to change.”

Also at the hearing, Boehlert introduced the winner of the Discovery Channel’s 2005 Young Scientist Challenge, 14 year-old Neela Thangada of San Antonio, Texas.  Neela, who last night was announced as the winner of the competition that drew 75,000 entrants, was awarded a $20,000 college scholarship. 

Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), who represents Neela’s hometown, praised her achievement and echoed the comments of the other Members of the Committee on the importance of strengthening the U.S. scientific enterprise.  “Our nation’s economy, productivity and standard of living rely on scientific discoveries and advancements.  Individuals like Neela are going to be at the forefront of exploration and development of science and technology. I’m very pleased that she has won this award and look forward to more great accomplishments from her in the future.”