In the past twenty years the United States has experienced a period of sustained economic growth unprecedented in our nation's history. National gross domestic product has more than tripled, from $3.2 trillion in 1982 to an estimated $10.8 trillion in 2002. Unemployment has fallen, inflation has been held in check, and productivity has skyrocketed. Perhaps the single most important factor contributing to these gains have been advances in science and technology. Growth in industries such as computer networking and information technology, genomics, telecommunications, and medicine have improved our lives in countless ways - providing increased wealth, adding years to our lives, and creating an overall standard of living unimaginable just a few generations ago.

As Chairman of the House Science Committee's Research Subcommittee since 1999, I witnessed the development of many of these innovations firsthand, and I had the privilege of shaping key policies in this area. My Subcommittee's responsibilities included overseeing science and math education, enhancing the nation's computer security, improving information technology research and development, researching advances in biotechnology, and developing several government-wide research initiatives. The state of Michigan relies heavily on a strong knowledge-based economy, ranking 3rd among all 50 states in research and development performance, almost $1 billion of which comes from federal sources.

It is difficult to quantify how much federal investments in basic research contribute to science and technology, but its footprints are unmistakably part of the world around us. While I am a proud fiscal conservative and advocate for limited government, I strongly believe that, with proper oversight and guidance, tax-funded basic research is a very worthwhile investment of federal dollars. This is what I strive for as Chairman of the Research Subcommittee, and that is why I believe the United States will continue to lead the world in science and technology for decades to come.

President Bush signed into law on December 19, 2002, major legislation that I sponsored authorizing activities at the National Science Foundation (NSF). H.R. 4664.   I believed, it would strengthen America's research enterprise for years to come, not to mention our economic and national security. NSF is a small but important federal agency, tasked with the unique challenge of funding important fundamental scientific research that is too risky for the private sector to undertake. They carry out this mission through a widely respected peer-reviewed, competitive award process, funding only the best cutting edge research at our nation's colleges and universities. I am proud to note that Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, both located just outside of my Congressional District, are among the most competitive universities in the country with regard to NSF funding. In 2001, they received almost $100 million from NSF's competitive award process ($40 million and $54 million, respectively). The major provisions of my bill included:

• Placing the NSF on a 5-year doubling track, while imposing strict, new management requirements to ensure that NSF continues to use taxpayer money wisely.
• Authorizing President Bush's Math and Science Education Partnership Program at NSF, aimed at better preparing high school students for college math and science curriculum.
• Authorizing new plant biotechnology research to develop improved varieties and new uses of crops (adapted from H.R. 2051, my House-passed legislation establishing Plant Genome and Gene Expression Centers).
• Authorizing the Tech Talent program from H.R. 3130, to address the decline in the technical workforce and to provide comprehensive reforms to undergraduate math and science education.

In addition to my National Science Foundation legislation, the Science Committee passed 17 bills that either became public law or were included in other public laws. As a senior member of the Committee, I was proud to be a part of the bipartisan team that shaped these many accomplishments. I would especially like to note the Science Committee's significant contributions to President Bush's new Department of Homeland Security. My Subcommittee in particular was instrumental in helping to make science and technology a priority in the new Homeland Security Department, pushing for the creation of an Under Secretary in charge of Science and Technology, and the establishment of a Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency. These achievements helped us to make the laboratory a key part of our arsenal in the war on terrorism.

Also, cyber attacks threaten to cripple our infrastructure and our economy. Science Committee legislation (H.R. 3394) to secure our nation's computer systems, and increase the number of Americans working in the area of cyber security, was signed by President Bush on November 27, 2002. Additionally, I worked with my colleagues on the Science Committee to make cyber security a priority in the new Homeland Security Department.

There are many issues I planned to pursue in my final term as Chairman of the Research Subcommittee. In addition to continuing oversight of the National Science Foundation and reviewing changes made by H.R. 4664, the committee planned to examine the following issues:

• United States Fire Administration (USFA) - Housed within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this small agency is tasked with helping America's fire services meet the growing challenges asked of today's all-hazard response fire departments. USFA administers the popular Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which I am proud to have helped initiate in the FY 2001 Defense Authorization bill. The popular program competitively awards grants directly to fire departments for meeting basic equipment and training needs. Since the inception of the program, seventeen grants have been awarded to fire departments in my 7th Congressional District totaling nearly $1.8 million. As the Subcommittee of jurisdiction over USFA, we plan to review this grant program in 2002 to ensure that it continues to be improved and expanded upon. We will also examine other important challenges facing the fire services, such as critical issues related to staffing shortfalls and the recruitment and retention of fire fighters.

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) - Also a part of FEMA, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) was established in 1977 to find ways to reduce the risks posed by earthquakes. The program involves a comprehensive effort that includes research on assessment and prediction of earthquake hazards, improving building designs, public education, and community preparedness. My Subcommittee will be working to write legislation to reauthorize NEHRP and ensure that earthquake risk reduction is maximized with the limited supply of federal dollars that are available.

Nanotechnology - Broadly defined, nanotechnology is simply science and engineering conducted at the nanometer scale (10-9m). Like the information technology and biotechnology breakthroughs of the past ten years, nanotechnology holds the potential to revolutionize our way of life. However, the science is still very much in its fledgling stage, so it is important that the federal government coordinate and fund basic research into the fundamental aspects of nanotechnology so that its potential can one day be realized. The Science Committee will make this issue a top priority in the 108th Congress. I plan to work to shape legislation that results in the next phase of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, a multi-agency research effort led by the National Science Foundation.

More Information: For more on my thoughts and comments regarding science & technology, please see my:

• Science Press Releases, or;
• Technology Press Releases, or;
• Science & Technology Weekly Columns

• Seeds of Opportunity Report