Hooley: Utilize Research in Disaster Preparation and Planning
Natural disasters are, by their very nature, unexpected and often deadly. As witnessed this hurricane season, how the U.S. currently responds to natural disasters must be improved in an effort to save lives and effectively enable recovery. Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Research heard from disaster preparedness experts, many of whom concede the inadequacies of current approaches to natural disaster response and urge the U.S. to heed and apply what has been … Continue Reading
November 09, 2005Gordon: Congress Must Have Good Information to Do Its Job
Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science convened for a mark-up of House Resolution 515 - a measure of inquiry requesting the President of the United States provide to the House certain documents relating to the anticipated effects of climate change on the coastal regions of the United States. The vote on the motion to adopt the resolution failed 11-16. Included below in its entirety is the opening statement of Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "Thank you, Mr. … Continue Reading
November 03, 2005Science Dems: No Consensus on Best Path Forward for NASA
For the second time in four months U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science Members heard directly from NASA's leader, Dr. Michael Griffin, on the status of the work being done at the agency. Among NASA's current priorities is the Administration's "vision for space exploration" announced January 12, 2004. The plan proposed returning U.S. astronauts to the Moon by 2020, followed by eventual human missions to Mars. To date, important information is still lacking on how it … Continue Reading
November 02, 2005Democrats Recognize the Next Generation of Energy Efficiency Innovators
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science today heard from energy innovators at both the university and Federal levels about what it will take to harness the power of the sun and progress toward the solar and efficiency technologies of the future. Hearing participants shared what they learned from their involvement in the recently completed 2005 Solar Decathlon, which was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., last month. The Solar Decathlon was sponsored by the U.S. … Continue Reading
October 27, 2005Udall: NASA’s Financial Management System Needs More Work
The U.S. House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today held a joint hearing with the House Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance and Accountability. The hearing examined the unsettled state of NASA's financial management system. "Over the past several years, both the GAO and the NASA IG have provided NASA with very sobering assessments of its financial management operations," stated Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee … Continue Reading
October 26, 2005Science Dems Urge Feds to Learn From 9/11
The U.S. House Committee on Science reviewed the results of a report released in final form today by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The report concentrates on the structural collapse of the World Trade Center buildings on September 11, 2001, and recommendations for improving building codes, emergency response and evacuation in the aftermath of that tragedy. "On the surface, today's hearing topic may sound dry and technical. However, what we're really talking … Continue Reading
October 21, 2005Davis, Waxman, Sensenbrenner, Conyers, Boehlert, and Gordon React To GAO Report on Security Problems With Electronic Voting Systems
N E W S R E L E A S E For Immediate Release: October 21, 2005 Washington, D.C. - Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) and Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Judiciary Committee Chair F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), and Science Committee Chair Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Ranking Member Bart Gordon (D-TN), issued the following statements upon today's release of the Government Accountability Office's report, Federal Efforts to … Continue Reading
October 21, 2005Gordon’s Bill to Combat, Clean-Up Meth Endorsed By National Organizations
Methamphetamine lab clean-up legislation (H.R. 798) authored by Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon was praised by the National Association of Counties at a congressional hearing this week. At a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on meth's impacts on health and the environment, a representative from the National Association of Counties said H.R. 798 does much to address the problem of meth clean-up. In addition to serving as Ranking Member of the Science Committee, … Continue Reading
October 21, 2005Prepared Remarks by the Hon. Bart Gordon for the Space Transportation Association
Good morning. It's a pleasure to be here, and I want to thank Rich Coleman for his invitation to get together with the Space Transportation Association today. I'd also like to recognize my friend and colleague, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who is in attendance today. And of course, I'd like to recognize Dr. Michael Griffin, the NASA Administrator, who is also here today. Dr. Griffin is facing some enormous challenges at NASA, but I am impressed with his enthusiasm, competence, and integrity … Continue Reading
October 20, 2005Academy Report Confirms U.S. Has Work to Do to Stay Competitive
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently issued a report requested by Science Committee Democrats and other Members of Congress on how the U.S. can maintain its prominence in science and technology and prosper in the competitive global marketplace. The report focuses on the nation's economic competitiveness - and the findings were alarming. In short, the United States will not remain competitive in the global marketplace unless corrective action is taken in education, research and … Continue Reading
October 20, 2005Science Dems Recognize "Top Young Scientists of the Year"
U.S. House Committee on Science Democrats today welcomed Neela Thangada, 14, winner of the 2005 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, to the U.S. Capitol. During today's Committee hearing on U.S. competitiveness in the fields of math and science, Neela and the program were recognized as outstanding examples of hope for the future. Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge winner … Continue Reading
October 13, 2005Remarks by the Hon. David Wu at the Government Open Source Conference
Thank you for having me here. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to welcome you to this very important conference. GOSCON is the first conference of its kind. It is the first to provide public sector CIOs, IT professionals, and others in government the chance to take part in the innovative solutions and strategies developed by research universities, private sector companies, and communities of developers that have made Oregon the hub of open source. Image courtesy … Continue Reading
October 07, 2005Science Dems Recognize NWS for Hurricane Forecasting Work
The U.S. House Committee on Science today convened a hearing on hurricane prediction and seasonal activity. Investigation centered on forecasting and modeling capabilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - specifically the National Weather Service (NWS). Witnesses included NOAA Director Brigadier General David L. Johnson (ret.) and NWS National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Max Mayfield. "This is a story about the power of science and the failure of … Continue Reading
October 05, 2005Udall Praises Boulder NIST Nobel Prize Winner
Westminster, CO - Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs), a member of the House Committee on Science and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, released the following statement regarding Dr. John Hall being awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physics: "All Coloradans can be proud of Dr. John Hall for receiving the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physics for developing a laser-based precision spectroscopy. The implications from his work are wide-reaching, from new … Continue Reading
September 26, 2005Rep. Gordon Releases Science Committee Democrats’ Report On Hurricane Katrina Response
Democrats on the House Science Committee today unveiled their special investigative report "Failing to Protect and Defend: the Federal Emergency Response to Hurricane Katrina." Because there is no independent commission to investigate and ask tough questions, Science Committee Democrats submitted their own timeline of events and conclusions, and broached important questions surround the federal response to Hurricane Katrina that deserve asking - questions the House Select Committee … Continue Reading
September 21, 2005Science Dems: H.R. 250 Good Start, But We Can Do Better for American Workers
H.R. 250 - Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005 - passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 394-24. The legislation - which originated in the Science Committee - was initially designed to stimulate manufacturing, jobs and innovation in the U.S. Calling it a "missed opportunity" for American workers, many Committee Democrats reluctantly supported the bill today because it funds the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) - a job creation program … Continue Reading
September 19, 2005Melancon Introduces Bill to Aid Manufacturers Affected by Katrina
U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) today introduced legislation (H.R. 3826) aiming quick and direct aid to rebuild South Louisiana's manufacturing community. Hurricane Katrina affected an estimated 2,500 small and medium-sized manufacturers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. More than 100,000 workers have been impacted. Employers are eager to rebuild, but the task ahead is daunting. "Getting these businesses up and running, and getting our people back to work can't happen fast … Continue Reading
September 16, 2005Gordon: Exploration Plan Faces Significant Budgetary Hurdles
U.S. House Committee on Science Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following comment regarding the exploration plan proposed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) today. Rep. Gordon was among the Members of Congress briefed by NASA on Friday in advance of the agency's formal public announcement of its Exploration Systems Architecture Study on Monday. "Administrator Griffin is to be commended for constructing what appears to be a good, sensible … Continue Reading
September 15, 2005Science Dems: Much Work Still to Be Done to Construct Secure, Reliable Cyber-Infrastructure
A full Committee hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Science today examined the current state of our country's cyber-infrastructure. "Today's hearing had two important purposes," said Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "To assess progress in improving the security of computer systems on which critical industries rely and to explore why progress has been so slow." Witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security and private industry briefed Committee Members on … Continue Reading
September 12, 2005Science Democrats Work to Bring Math/Science Resources Direct to Teachers, Students
The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House Committee on Science today unveiled a new, one-stop-shop educational resource for Mathematics and Science teachers across the country. The home for Science Committee Democrats on the web - https://sciencedems.house.gov - has been retooled and refocused. Not only can the public now gain access to Committee activities, but students, teachers, schools and universities can also look to the site for entry to a clearinghouse of federal science and math … Continue Reading