(Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives recognized a group of scientists – each for extraordinary contributions to their respective fields – by passing several bills in their honor.
Each of the three bills passed was reported by the House Science & Technology Committee.
“It is important that Congress recognize and spotlight these outstanding scientific achievements,” said Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “This work serves to highlight American ingenuity and inspire future generations to pursue careers in the sciences.”
The House acknowledged former U.S. Senator John Glenn’s contribution to space exploration and scientific achievement with H. Res. 252, Recognizing the 45th anniversary of John Herschel Glenn, Jr.’s historic achievement in becoming the first United States astronaut to orbit the Earth.
“John Glenn’s historic achievements at NASA challenged generations of Americans to dream bigger and work harder,” said bill co-sponsor and Science and Technology Committee Member, Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH). “As a fellow Ohioan, I am proud of Senator Glenn’s service, and I welcome the opportunity to shine a bright light on his accomplishments.”
H.Con.Res. 95, Honoring the career and research accomplishments of Frances E. Allen, the 2006 recipient of the A.M. Turing Award, was introduced by Committee Member Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
In February 2007, Frances E. Allen became the first woman to receive the prestigious Turing Award for computing in its 40-year history. H.Con.Res. 95 recognizes her achievements in computer research and development while working at IBM Corporation, and salutes the Turing Award Committee for recognizing the contributions of women to the field of computing.
“It is certainly telling that women, who earn more than half of all undergraduate degrees in this country and make up more than half of the professional workforce, represent only 25% percent of all information technology workers,” Woolsey said. “Dr. Allen has been an inspirational mentor to younger researchers and a leader within the computing community and it is clear that Dr. Allen deserves recognition for all of the tireless work she has done to promote women’s role in computing.”
H.Res. 316, Recognizing the accomplishments of Roger D. Kornberg, Andrew Fire, Craig Mello, John C. Mather and George F. Smoot for being awarded Nobel Prizes in the fields of chemistry, physiology or medicine and physics, was introduced by Committee Member Jerry McNerney (D-CA).
In 2006, scientists from the United States swept the Nobel Prize science awards for the first time in 20 years. H.Res.316 recognizes and congratulates them for their significant achievements in their respective fields of scientific research.
“It has been nearly a quarter century since Americans swept the Nobel Prize science awards,” said Rep. McNerney. “These scientists and researchers, truly international science ambassadors, deserve congratulations for their groundbreaking work. And I hope that the American sweep of Nobel Prize science awards will inspire others – especially today’s students – to continue their scientific pursuits.”
