Reply #7: Commerce: Wed 3/29 Funding Basic Science Research. (JK is RM)

[TayTay]

Importance of Basic Research to United States' Competitveness
Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness Hearing
Wednesday, March 29 2006 - 10:00 AM - Dirksen 562


Webcast: Click here to view a live webcast of this hearing.
Description: The Senate Commerce Committee's Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on the Importance of Basic Research to United States' Competitiveness for Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 10:00 am in room 562 of the Dirksen Building. This hearing will explore how basic research in the physical sciences impacts both long-term economic development in the United States and the ability of American industry to remain globally competitive.

Subcommittee Chairman John Ensign (R-Nev.) will preside.
Technology, Innovation & Competition, Sub-Committee, Sen. Kerry is the Dem Ranking Member.

Panel 1:

Dr. John Marburger, III
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President

Dr. Arden Bement
Director, National Science Foundation

Dr. William Jeffrey
Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Panel 2:

Dr. Steven Knapp
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Leonard Pietrafesa
Chairman, Science Advisory Board, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Mr. Philip Ritter
Senior Vice President and Manager of Public Affairs, Texas Instruments, Inc.

Dr. Adam Drobot
Chief Technology Officer, Telcordia, Inc.

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"Imagine if we had a president who liked Science?" Yeah, that would be so cool. Right now we have a President who thinks anyone who likes science is a nerd in broken glasses with a 'Kick Me' sign on his back. Sigh! There is a bill that will make it to the floor on this. Sens. Ensign and Kerry are cooperating on it. They will probably floor manage it when the time comes. I will watch this, cuz this issue really concerns me.

Sen. Kerry is Ranking Dem Member for this sub-comm. And he speaks pretty good science. (He does us proud in the regard.) I know this is too much to ask for, but I would like an update on how that Brain Research project at MIT is going. Have they found the cure for Rethuglicanism yet. It's that nasty brain-wasting disease and I have high hopes that it can be eradicated some day, like polio.