May 04, 2010

Rep. Marcia Fudge's floor speech on H.Res.1307

As prepared for delivery

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 cross-cutting 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 ERC’s in areas such as smart lighting, nanotechnology and robotics.

Second, the Foundation supports much of the basic climate science and model development that will enable scientists and policy makers 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 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.

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