In a statement released today, the American Astronomical Society, the
largest professional scientific association for astronomers and
astrophysicists, has endorsed the House Science Committee’s authorization
bill for the National Science Foundation, named the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.

The statement is being issued in conjunction with a press conference
being held by the House Science Committee on Tuesday, May 7 at 3:00 pm
in the House Rayburn Office Building, room 2318.

The President of the American Astronomical Society, Dr. Anneila Sargent
of the California Institute of Technology said, “It gives me great
pleasure to announce our Society’s endorsement of the NSF authorization
bill. Chairman Boehlert and his committee have created a bill that
finally allows for long-overdue increases to the NSF budget.”

Dr. Catherine Pilachowski, the president-elect of the American Astronomical
Society, currently a faculty member at the Indiana University, joined in,
saying “The National Science Foundation is one of the most important
agencies in the federal government. The Foundation funds the research
that guarantees our nation’s security, improves the quality of life of
our fellow citizens and creates new knowledge that drives our economy.”

The statement, released today, is given below in its entirety.

American Astronomical Society Endorsement of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002

The American Astronomical Society strongly endorses the House Science
Committee’s 2002 reauthorization bill for the National Science Foundation,
named the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002. The
authorized increases to the NSF budget of 15% over FY 2002 levels and
subsequent 15% increases over authorized levels through 2005 will be
of great benefit to our Nation’s scientific enterprise. The National
Science Foundation supports a diverse and growing portfolio of basic
scientific research, which has been harmed by a long-term trend of
minimal or non-existent funding increases. The American Astronomical
Society will work with Chairman Boehlert in his efforts to return
the National Science Foundation to a budgetary level adequate to meet
its growing goals. Only by strongly supporting a balanced scientific
research portfolio can the federal government guarantee the security of
our nation, the health of our fellow citizens and a growing base of
fundamental scientific knowledge that benefits all of humankind.