IP: Statement on Research

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 127: October 24, 1997


AIP and Eight Member Societies Endorse United Statement on Research=20


The American Physical Society, the Acoustical Society of America,
the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American
Crystallographic Association, the American Astronomical Society,
the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American
Vacuum Society, and the American Geophysical Union have joined the
American Institute of Physics and 97 scientific organizations in
issuing a "Unified Statement on Research."=A0 The statement calls for
a doubling of the federal budget for research by the year 2009, and
was released on October 22 at a U.S. Capitol press conference.=A0 The
statement follows:


********


UNIFIED STATEMENT ON RESEARCH
"A Decade of Investment"


To secure the economic health and prosperity of the United States
as the next century approaches, our national investment in research
must be strengthened. The increased competitiveness of the global
economy makes such an investment even more important now than in
the past. To that end, we call upon the U.S. Congress and the
Administration to double the current level of federal investment in
research within the next 10 years, starting with fiscal year 1999.=20


The United States has a critical and long-standing interest in
advancing engineering, mathematics, and scientific research and
education. The reasons for=A0 this are well accepted by industry
leaders and public policymakers alike.=20


*=A0 Research provides the basis for the nation's productivity and
economic growth, sustains its high standard of living and quality
of health, and ensures its security.=20


*=A0 Research conducted today generates the knowledge from which the
future is built and helps develop researchers for the future.


Our nation has developed a dynamic, comprehensive, interdependent
research=A0 system that has enabled the United States to assume
global leadership and enjoy a high standard of living. The research
efforts of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,
Energy, Interior, and Transportation; the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration; the National Institutes of Health; the
National Science Foundation and others have provided countless
scientific and technological innovations that have formed the foundation
for our nation's=A0 prosperity.=20


Even during this time of extraordinary economic growth, it must not
be forgotten that tomorrow's health, economic, environmental, and
national security needs=A0 depend on the choices that are made today.
As leaders of the science,=A0 engineering, and mathematics
communities, we maintain that doubling the nation's=A0 research
budget during a 10-year period strikes a responsible balance
between near-term fiscal goals and long-term economic growth and
productivity.


**********


A complete list of the endorsing organizations can be accessed at
the following web site: http://www.chemcenter.org/decade.html.=20
Future issues of FYI will discuss this statement, and new
legislation to accomplish many of the goals stated above.


###############
Richard M. Jones
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
fyi () aip org
(301) 209-3095
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"Photons have neither morals nor visas"  --  Dave Farber 1994
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