Bement to be Nominated for NSF Director

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: fyi () aip org
Date: September 17, 2004 11:11:00 AM EDT
To: farber () CENTRAL CIS UPENN EDU
Subject: FYI #124: Bement to be Nominated for NSF Director
Reply-To: fyi () aip org

FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 124: September 17, 2004

President Bush to Nominate Arden Bement to the Director of NSF

The White House announced on Wednesday that President George Bush
intends to nominate Arden Bement Jr. to be the director of the
National Science Foundation.  Bement became Acting Director of the
NSF on February 22 following the unexpected resignation of Rita
Colwell.  Bement is also the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.

Bement first came to Washington in November 2001, after being
nominated by President Bush to be NIST Director.  His Senate
confirmation by unanimous consent came about five weeks after the
nomination was sent to the Senate, which came nine weeks after it
was first announced.

Before coming to NIST, Bement was the David A. Ross Distinguished
Professor of Nuclear Engineering and the head of Purdue University's
School of Nuclear Engineering.   Bement has a Ph.D in metallurgical
engineering from the University of Michigan, and is a member of the
National Academy of Engineering.  He also served on National Science
Board for six years.

First reaction to the announcement was quite positive.  House
Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) stated, "I'm
delighted that the President has nominated Arden Bement to be the
Director of the National Science Foundation.  Arden knows the agency
well and brings a wealth of experience in industry, government and
academia to the job.  His calm, soft-spoken, steady, open-minded and
firm leadership has already left its mark on NSF.  With a permanent
appointment, he will be able to be an even more forceful, effective
and inventive director.  It would be hard to think of a better
person for the job."  The Ranking Democratic Member of the Science
Committee, Bart Gordon (D-TN) remarked, "Dr. Bement has had a long
and distinguished career in industry and academia, and as Director
of NIST.  The National Science Foundation, by culture and
constituency, is very different from NIST, but I am confident that
he will excel in his leadership of this important research agency."
Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) also released this statement: "Arden
Bement is an excellent choice for the Director of the National
Science Foundation.  Arden is a respected scientist with a wealth of
management experiences in academia, industry and government - an
unusual combination that will enable him to lead NSF with strength
and vision. Arden's departure from the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) is a great loss for the Institute.
His departure leaves us with some very big shoes to fill at NIST.
However, I am confident that he will bring the same level of
dedication and dynamism to this new position, and NSF will flourish
under his leadership."

Bement sent a message to NSF staff following the White House
announcement; selections follow:

"The Foundation has a rich history of strong and independent
Directors, and I look forward to continuing with that tradition.
Most important to our success, however, are you -- the staff of
NSF.  I have come to appreciate your strong qualities and dedication
that provide the underpinnings for NSF's organizational excellence.
As many of you already know, the Foundation's mission and our
accomplishments are critical to the Nation's well being.  Without
your help and dedication, none of NSF's goals or objectives can be
met.  I appreciate your support.

"Although NSF faces significant challenges in the near future due to
Federal budget issues, I am committed to the policies and operations
that have stood the test of time and have helped make NSF an
extraordinary agency.  I look forward to working with [Deputy
Director] Dr. [Joseph] Bordogna and all of you in continuing the
outstanding manner in which NSF leads the nation.  Our pursuit of
research and education at the frontiers of science and engineering,
our commitment to broadening participation both within and without
the Foundation, and our desire to ensure that we have the resources
to carry out this vision will be among my top priorities."

Bement's nomination will come before the Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions Committee.  This committee is chaired by Judd
Gregg (R-NH); Edward Kennedy (D-MA) is the Ranking Democratic
Member.  There is an outside chance that the committee might
consider the nomination before this Congress adjourns.  If this does
not occur, the committee will consider it early next year.

###############
Richard M. Jones
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi () aip org    http://www.aip.org/gov
(301) 209-3094
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