STATEMENT

HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI (D-IL)
U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology
Markup: H.R. 1867, National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007
April 25, 2007

I'd like to point out that this markup comes on the heels of yesterday's House passage of the "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds" and "Sowing the Seeds" legislation.  Both of these bills were introduced in response to the Rising Above the Gathering Storm recommendations on improving America's competitiveness in the world, and today's legislation will further build upon that commitment.

Today we stand at the cusp of numerous technological breakthroughs that will completely revolutionize our way of life; from hydrogen and other advanced fuels technologies to nanotechnology that has the potential to impact virtually every sector of our economy.  The support that this legislation provides to American researchers will ensure that these breakthroughs continue.

One important pilot program established by this bill will provide one-year seed grants for new investigators to improve their likelihood of being awarded standard competitive research grants.  As a past recipient of a grant from NSF, I know just how beneficial this will be to our young researchers.  In return for funding some of these investigators, NSF and the country may benefit from new technologies that otherwise would not have made it out of the lab.

As a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1867, I urge the Committee to pass this important legislation and further America's dedication to science.