IP: National Science Policy Report

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

FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 137: October 2, 1998

National Science Policy Report

On September 24, the much-anticipated study by Rep. Vern Ehlers
(R-MI) on federal science policy was released on Capitol Hill
before a standing-room-only crowd.  The report, "Toward a New
National Science Policy," will  serve, in the committee's words,
"as a guide in long-term development of America's science
policy."

The  report is more of a guide pointing to major goals, rather
than directions on how to get there.  This would be expected in a
document of 74-pages on a topic as ambitious as science policy. 
Information was gathered from seven hearings, two round table
discussions, 350 letters, and meetings attended by 10,000
scientists.  Two or three staffers assisted Ehlers during this
approximately one-year process that was given a budget of
$150,000.

Ehlers described the unveiling ceremony as a commencement, since
much work is yet to be done.  In fact, the document is called an
"interim report."  In describing his vision of a report outlining
how science could enrich the lives of people, he touched on three
themes: the shift of  national needs from military to economic,
the contribution of science to policy making, and the importance
of strengthening and sustaining science in the United States.

House Science Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
called the report a "document for visionaries," and said it would
be used as a basis for future oversight legislation.  Rep. George
Brown (D-CA) was more measured in his remarks, saying that the
report "does not go as far or really as deep as I would have
liked."  Brown called for a "much closer relationship between
scientists and the political structure." 

Also attending this ceremony was House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA.  He 
called the report "a very good start," later saying that
it only scratched the surface of a national dialogue that should
be conducted over the next few years.  Gingrich cited the
importance of physics to biology, and, in turn, how findings
could be related to social science issues.  The Speaker was
critical of math and science education, saying science was about
discovery and not a memorization of fact.  Coming under even
greater attack was NASA, as Gingrich criticized the cost of 
space flight, the "absolute disaster" of Russian involvement in
the space station, and saying the agency made "space as boring as
possible."

Following these and remarks by other speakers, Ehlers took
questions.  He hopes that the House will pass a resolution in
support of the study, adding that he will be talking to senators. 
(The Senate Science and Technology Caucus sent a letter stating
"we look forward to working with you toward shaping and
implementing a bipartisan and bicameral national science policy -
including a new funding strategy - for American's R&D
enterprise....") Ehlers said the report "will serve as a basis
for funding decisions to be made," and when asked  what he meant
in calling for substantial funding, said science "needs more
funding -- that's what we mean by substantial."

FYI #138 will provide the six and one-half page "Summary of
Recommendations" from the report.  The entire report can be
accessed at
http://www.house.gov/science/science_policy_report.htm

###############
Richard M. Jones
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
fyi () aip org
(301) 209-3095
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