CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON SEEKS RANKING MEMBER POSITION ON THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Washington, DC – (Wednesday, November 10, 2010) - Congresswoman Johnson issued the following statement today regarding her intention to run as Ranking Member for the Committee on Science and Technology in the 112th Congress.  

“If elected as Ranking Member, I would work tirelessly in order to further seek the implementation of policies which we have not yet been able to advance in the 111th Congress. As Ranking Member, I would continue to advocate for STEM education, clean energy, and for scientific research to improve the lives of all Americans.  I would fight to ensure that our aviation industry and, NASA specifically, remains strong, and able to undertake each and every new mission that draws them further away from our planet and into depths of scientific discovery. I would continue to emphasize the need to invest in basic scientific research and development to support our nation’s energy independence and security, to create new technologies, industries, and jobs that will catalyze our nation’s embattled middle class and fulfill a mission for the U.S. to lead the world in clean technology.     

Today, I stand eager to work with the Republican Chairman of the House Science committee to help rebuild our Nation’s economy through science; with basic and applied scientific research to enhance our standard of living, foster new industries, and retain our global competitiveness.  

Serving as the Ranking member would allow me to continue to fight for the issues that are important to Scientific, as well as the Federal government's work effectively and efficiently. My commitment to both this institution and our party is strong. I will continue to work with the Administration to identify solutions to new, or persistent issues that threaten to set our nation back even as we continue to look forward to our future.   

Finally, my new role would allow me to address the needs of the scientific sector while engendering the growth of our Nation’s scientific research capabilities that contribute to the economic strength of our nation.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.