Shapiro honors Congressmen

President Shapiro and Rutgers University President Francis Lawrence honored two of New Jersey's U.S. Representatives, Rush Holt and Rodney Frelinghuysen, on Monday for championing scientific research at universities.

Holt and Frelinghuysen received the Science Coalition's Champions of Science award — which honors legislators for their support of federal agencies that fund university-based research in scientific, medical, engineering and agricultural research — during ceremonies at Rutgers' Institute of Marine Coastal Sciences.

"New Jersey has long provided national leadership in scientific research and technology development, and Rush is helping to extend that tradition in this new century," Shapiro said of Holt, who narrowly won the hotly contested Congressional seat in November's election.

"Drawing on his own experience as a scientist and teacher, he quickly has become one of the Congress' most knowledgeable and effective advocates for university-based research on the frontiers of science and engineering," Shapiro said.

A former assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Holt has been a principal advocate for improving science education in public schools during his time in Congress. While serving on the House Budget Committee, which oversees the federal budget, Holt secured more than $700 million in funding for the National Science Foundation, NASA and the Department of Energy in the past fiscal year.

"[The economy doesn't grow] unless we have a smart, well-trained work force and new ideas," Holt said in an interview yesterday. "University-based research is how we develop our smart well-trained work force and how we get our new ideas. It's indispensable if we're going to have a good economy."

The congressional district that Holt represents includes Princeton University and surrounding areas in Mercer County. University Vice President for Public Affairs Robert Durkee '69 said Frelinghuysen also holds a pivotal role in obtaining research funding for institutions like Princeton University as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which sets the budgets for federal agencies.

While in office, Frelinghuysen has been instrumental in procuring funds for fusion research at the PPPL. Working with the White House and the secretary of energy this past year, Frelinghuysen provided $248.5 million in the energy budget for the fusion sciences program.

"There is nothing more important to our nation's future than our continued research and development of new technologies and medicines, so much of which is done right here in New Jersey," Frelinghuysen said. "As a member of the appropriations committee, I remain committed to this important endeavor."

Legislative support for scientific research funding is extremely important for the University and the PPPL.

"PPPL is dependent on the government for 100 percent of its funding," said PPPL spokesman Tony DeMeo, estimating that the current laboratory budget is $72 million.

At certain points of the year, representatives from 65 universities in the Science Coalition nominate congressmen to receive the Champion of Science award.

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Previous recipients of the award are Sens. Bill Frist '74, Joseph Lieberman and Barbara Mikulski and Reps. Vernon Ehlers, Richard Gephardt and Connie Morella. Holt and Frelinghuysen are the only recipients this year.

"These two congressman are perceived as strong advocates for scientific research nationwide," Durkee said.