Technology to Prepare for National Disasters

In today’s high-tech society and with the increasing potential of global threats, the federal government must be prepared for national emergencies; Modeling and Simulation is uniquely positioned to provide practice for responding quickly and effectively to disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill.

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The Race for Nuclear Fusion Recent news reports are suggesting that energy-hungry China is ‘cranking up the heat’ in its efforts to reach nuclear fusion, a scientific achievement that has long eluded the U.S. More...

The New Manhattan Project Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill that encourages scientists and innovators to help the U.S. reach 100% energy independence. More...

A Stem Cell Victory for Patients Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill to prioritize ethical stem cell projects that have the greatest chance for near-term benefits for patients. More...

Opposed U.N. control over the Internet.  Congressman Forbes supported passage of a resolution, H.Con.Res.127, rejecting the proposed international takeover of the internet. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the specialized agency for information and communication technologies at the United Nations. In December of 2012, the ITU will hold a conference in Dubai to renegotiate a 1988 treaty known as the International Telecommunication Regulations. During the renegotiation process, the jurisdiction and legal authority of the ITU could be expanded, resulting in greater influence over the Internet, specifically in the areas of data privacy and cyber security. The resolution passed by a vote of 414-0.

Called for increased transparency of FCC. Congressman Forbes supported the Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act, H.R. 3310, to consolidate the reporting obligations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Congress and require reports to include the state of the communications marketplace, including competition and barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and other small businesses. This bill passed by voice vote.

Supported a voluntary program to protect our nation’s private sector from costly cyber-threats.  Congressman Forbes Supported the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, a bill that ensures that private companies can voluntarily seek out certification with the Director of National Intelligence to exchange cyber threat information with the federal intelligence community.  Economic losses from cyber espionage by nation-state actors like China are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year.  By allowing for a more efficient and secure system in which the Intelligence Community can interact with private industry, our government will be better equipped to respond to the fast-changing nature of cyber threats.  By only allowing an exchange of information, this bill ensures that American networks can be protected with the best practices and most efficient responses.  Congressman Forbes voted in favor of H.R. 3523 when it passed the House by a vote of 248-168. 

Fostered Future Expertise in Cybersecurity.  Congressman Forbes supported the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, a bill to strengthen our nation’s cyber security capabilities through the development of a national strategic plan for federal cybersecurity that is supported through new scholarship programs for students pursuing cybersecurity degrees.  New government wide cybersecurity standards will allow for a more comprehensive response to one of the most pressing security challenges that our nation faces.  Congressman Forbes voted in favor of H.R. 2096, when it passed the House by a vote of 395-10.

Required the government to ensure its networks are effectively protected from cyber-intrusions.  Congressman Forbes supported passage of the Federal Information Security Amendments Act to require federal agencies to perform continuous monitoring of government information systems while conducting regular threat assessments.  This information would be used to support a new federal information security incident center to provide assistance to federal agencies that are responding to cyber-intrusions.  Our government is targeted with a range of cyber-threats everyday from individuals, groups, and nations like China.  This bill implements a framework from which different federal agencies can begin to work together to defend against this threat.  Congressman Forbes supported H.R. 4257 when it passed the House by voice vote.

Promoted interaction between policymakers and teachers.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution (H.Res.1322) celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, which brings science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers into the policymaking process.  This resolution passed the House by a vote of 405-5.

Opposed new federal spending for an algae program. Congressman Forbes voted against the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act (H.R.3650), which would create a new federal program, the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program at the potential cost of $153 million over five years.  The resolution passed the House by a vote of 251-103.

Voted to support National Engineers Week. Congressman Forbes voted to support the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week (H.Res.1097), recognizing that engineers use their professional, scientific, and technical knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways to fulfill the needs of society.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 382-0.

Supported coordinating government efforts to mitigate the threat of natural disasters. Congressman Forbes voted for the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009, H.R. 3820, which continues government programs to reduce the risk caused by natural disasters including earthquakes and windstorms.  It also creates an interagency committee to coordinate government efforts to mitigate the threat of natural disasters.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 335-50.

Encouraged funding for NASA. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to Mr. Peter Orzag, Director of the White House Office of Budget and Management, to encourage funding for NASA’s new proposed “Integrated Systems Research Program." This funding would help create a flagship research program at NASA that would focus on developing green energy technologies.  

 Recognized the contributions of engineers to our nation. Congressman Forbes voted in favor of H.Res 447, which commends the contributions of the American Council of Engineering Companies for its 100 years of service to the engineering industry and the nation.  This bill passed by a vote of 420-0.

Called for increased international science and technology cooperation. Congressman Forbes supported H.R.1736 to establish a committee within the National Science and Technology Council that can strengthen the United States’ economy, security, and foreign policy goals.

Supported National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Res. 387 recognizing the work of the National Weather Center in forecasting hurricanes and educating citizens about the potential risks of these storms.

Spoke on the House floor about the recent advances regarding stem cell research and stressed the importance of prioritizing this research by putting patients ahead of the debate.  Recent studies are demonstrating the ability of adult stem cells to be induced, resulting in the same properties of embryonic cells.  These scientific advances show that research on human embryonic stem cells may become unnecessary and may pose a more costly route to patient treatment. Congressman Forbes introduced H.R. 877, the Patients First Act to strengthen the benefits of stem cell research by promoting research and clinical trials using human stem cells that show the most evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients and are ethically obtained.  This bill prioritizes stem cell research toward treating and curing patients and presents a unified, pragmatic approach to medical and scientific advancement.  The studies show that the science of stem cell research has bypassed the divisive political debate and the time to advance medical treatment and care of patients is now. 

Supported H.R. 631, Water Use & Conservation Research Act, which would address the growing concern that water is a valuable resource and authorizes the EPA to research ways to conserve water.    

Supported HR 554, National Nanotechnology Initiative Act, which would place a greater emphasis on nanotechnology research and enhance educational opportunities in this field.   

Supported H.R. 469, Produced Water Utilization Act.   Between 15 and 20 billion barrels of water are extracted from the earth each year during energy extraction efforts.  This bill authorizes research for the use and management of this water.  

Voted in favor of  H.Res. 117 , National Engineers Week, which aims to increase awareness and interest in engineering technology.

Supported H. Res. 1466 saluting the 25th anniversary of the pioneering accomplishments of Dr. Guion "Guy" S. Bluford, Jr. as the first African-American in space. This resolution extends the gratitude and deep appreciation of the House of Representatives for Dr. Bluford's dedication, commitment, and excellence as an astronaut and a leader in support of the nation's space program. 

Supported H. Res. 1390 designating October 8, 2008 as 4-H National Youth Science Day.

Hosted the Third Annual Capitol Hill Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Expo on Tuesday, July 15^th, 2008, in conjunction with the event sponsor, the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA). The expo is the premier M&S event in the nation’s capital bringing together exhibitors from a myriad of industries to showcase M&S applications to Capitol Hill leaders in an effort to promote the development of this high-tech tool in a growing number of fields and specialties. The exhibition included demonstrations from the medical, defense and engineering fields. Participants tried their hand at firing rifles, evacuating a major city from an impending natural disaster, driving while under simulated duress, and performing vital surgery using state-of-the-art robotics.  Among the participants were the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), Brookings, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  Rep. Forbes, Rep. Solomon Ortiz (TX-27), Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Rep. Tom Feeney (FL-24) made remarks at the expo, along with NTSA President Admiral Fred Lewis and the Director for the Center on Social and Economic Dynamics at the Brookings Institution, Josh Epstein.  Congressman Forbes is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Modeling & Simulation Caucus.

Supported H.R. 6455, which requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.  Coins will bear images of the sun, earth, various planets, and astronauts who have lost their life on missions to space.

Applauded the inclusion of  H.R. 4165, which would provide grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher education, in the Conference Report on H.R. 4137. The Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center in Suffolk, Virginia, is one such institution that would be eligible under the new grant program. H.R. 4165 was introduced by Rep. Scott and three Members of the Modeling & Simulation Caucus, of which Congressman Forbes is the founder and co-chair along with Rep. Solomon Ortiz.

Supported H.R. 3957, the Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act.  This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a research program to promote water use efficiency and conservation. Technologies that reuse rainwater and water storage and distribution systems will be studied in the program. 

Supported H.R. 2339, the Produced Water Utilization Act of 2007. Produced water is water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as a result of the exploration of oil, natural case, and coalbed methane. This bill would establish a program to research desalination and demineralization of produced water. The program would also study efforts to reinject produced water into geological formations to increase energy productions. 

Supported H.Res. 1315, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  This resolution recognizes the value of NASA’s accomplishments and pledges to maintain America’s position as the world leader in space exploration and technology.    

Supported H.Res. 1313, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first American woman in space, Dr. Sally K. Ride.  This bill honors Dr. Ride’s contributions to the space program and to science education.

Supported H.Res. 1312 , commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Space Foundation.  The Space Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization that advocates space exploration and space education throughout the country. 

Supported H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2007.  This bill develops a plan for understanding, monitoring, and improving the increasing acidity levels of our oceans and its impact on marine ecosystems.     

Supported H.Con.Res. 375, which honors the International Year of Astronomy, and encourages discoveries about the Universe and promotes the understanding of astronomical sciences during the IYA celebration.

Voted to support H.R. 6063, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2008.  This bill provides $20 billion in funding to NASA for next year.  One purpose of the bill is to shorten the anticipated gap between the retirement of the Space Shuttle and NASA’s next space crew vehicle that is currently expected to enter service in 2015.  

Spoke at the 3^rd Annual Modeling & Simulation Leadership Summit, Education: Enabling Modeling and Simulation as a National Critical Technology.  The event is sponsored by the National Training Systems Association (NTSA) and took place on February 11, 2008 at the Westin Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia.  The Summit is the only M&S conference devoted to federal policy.  The Summit hosted leaders from government, industry, academia, and Congress, including representatives from the White House and the Brookings Institution.  Congressman Forbes is the founder of the Congressional Modeling & Simulation Caucus.

Supported H. Res. 966, which honors African American inventors for their leadership, courage, and significant contributions to our national competitiveness.  The resolution specifically noted the contributions of Archibald Alphonso Alexander in the design and architecture of bridges, Ernest Everett Just in the fields of cell biology, and David Nelson Crosthwait Jr. for his contributions to the engineering of heating and cooling systems.

Supported H.Res. 943, which honors the crew members of the space shuttle Challenger, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986.  January 28, 2008, marks the 22-year anniversary of the tragic accident of the space shuttle.  The Challenger disaster occurred during takeoff after an O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed.  The seven-person crew included Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik, Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and Payload Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe.   

Supported H.Con.Res. 287, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I satellite, the world's first scientific spacecraft.  The resolution also celebrates the event as the birth of the United States space exploration program.

Sent a letter to fellow Members of Congress to urge them to join with him to support the Patients First Act, H.R. 2807, in light of a major scientific breakthrough in the field of stem cell research. Researchers James A. Thomson – the first scientist to isolate human embryonic stem cells ten years ago – and Shinya Yamanaka announced on November 20, 2007 that they had discovered a way to turn human skin cells into stem cells that behave just like embryonic stem cells. These embryo-like stem cells are capable of forming into virtually every kind of cell or tissue without the need to destroy human embryos. This will have a significant impact on the ability of researchers to develop advanced treatments for many devastating diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and diabetes while maintaining ethical standards. The Patients First Act, introduced in July with Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), would promote this type of innovative research by supporting the creation of pluripotent stem cell lines without destroying human embryos, and intensifying funding for stem cell research that has the best chance of producing treatments for patients.

Cosponsored H.R. 2564, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, which would amend the federal criminal code to prohibit any public or private person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from performing or attempting to perform human cloning, participating in an attempt to perform human cloning, or shipping, receiving, or importing the product of human cloning for any purpose. This bill also would provide that nothing in the Act would restrict areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited by this Act, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans.

Signed a letter supporting the inclusion of $4.5 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science in the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The letter was addressed to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, and requested that they maintain funding at $4.5 billion, which is the same amount that was appropriated last year. The DOE Office of Science supports over 40 percent of total funding for basic physical sciences research – more than any other agency – and continued funding is critical if America is to compete with Asian and European nations who are making significant investments in their scientific research capabilities.

Joined Members of the Hampton Roads Delegation in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of increased funding for NASA in fiscal year 2008. Increased funding for NASA in Fiscal Year 2008 will support NASA Langley Research Center, which celebrated its 90th Anniversary this year. NASA Langley began in 1917 as the nation's first aeronautical research laboratory and has become a world leader in aeronautics research and space exploration.

Supported H.Res. 751, which supports the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week. This resolution recognizes the important contributions of chemical scientists and engineers to the technological progress and the health of many industries through new jobs, higher economic growth, and an improved standard of living. This resolution also recognizes the need to increase the number of Americans from under-represented groups that participate in science and technology fields like chemistry and supports the goals of National Chemistry Week as founded by the American Chemical Society. The resolution encourages the people of the United States to observe National Chemistry Week to demonstrate the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives. To learn more about National Chemistry Week, click here.

Voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 222, Commending NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007. This legislation was sponsored by Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis and cosponsored by the Virginia Congressional Delegation. After being established in 1917 as the nation's first civilian aeronautics laboratory, Langley's mission and contributions to aerospace, atmospheric sciences and technology commercialization have made significant improvements to the United States. To learn more about the Langley Research Center, click here.

Supported H. Con. Res. 225, a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities.

Cosponsored a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (VA-01) to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the NASA Langley Research Center. After being established in 1917 as the nation's first civilian aeronautics laboratory, Langley's mission and contributions to aerospace, atmospheric sciences and technology commercialization have made significant improvements to the United States. To learn more about the Langley Research Center, click here.

Supported H. Res. 736, a resolution honoring the 60th anniversary of the aeronautics research accomplishments embodied in "the breaking of the sound barrier." Much of NASA’s aeronautics research takes place at the NASA Langley Research Center, which just celebrated its 90th anniversary. To learn more about the Langley Research Center, click here.

Supported H. Res. 716, which expresses the sense of Congress with respect raising awareness and enhancing the state of computer security in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Each year, the National Cyber Security Division of the Department of Homeland Security joins with the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and other partners to support National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national campaign focused on educating the American public, businesses, schools and government agencies about ways to secure their part of cyber space, computers and our nation's critical infrastructure.

Voted in favor of H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007, which was introduced by Congressman Forbes. H.R. 694 establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to assist eligible institutions in acquiring and augmenting their use of digital and wireless networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery of educational services at eligible institutions. This legislation will help to ensure Minority Serving Institutions have the technology tools necessary to prepare their students to engage and participate in today’s workforce. In Virginia, there are six HBCUs that could benefit from this program: Virginia State University, Norfolk State University, St. Paul’s College, Virginia Union University, Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Hampton University.

Supported H.R. 2850, the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2007. H.R. 2850 would establish a Green Chemistry Research and Development program to promote and coordinate federal green chemistry research, development, demonstration, education, and technology transfer activities. The term green chemistry refers to chemistry and chemical engineering that focuses on creating chemical products and processes that reduce the generation and use of hazardous substances. The program would provide merit-based grants for researchers as well as grants for collaborative research and development partnerships among universities, industry, and nonprofit organizations.