HONORING DR. HOWARD SILVER FOR HIS SERVICE AS CHAIR OF THE COALITION FOR NATIONAL SCIENCE -- HON. KEN BENTSEN (Extension of Remarks - November 01, 2000)
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HON. KEN BENTSEN
in the House of Representatives
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, I want to recognize the outstanding contribution that Howard J. Silver, Ph.D. has made during the past six years as the Chair of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF). As the volunteer leader of this volunteer organization dedicated to increasing support for investment in science, Dr. Silver has worked tirelessly on behalf of researchers in all fields of science. His efforts at building and mobilizing a coalition of diverse organizations has been a model of effective advocacy. Under his direction, the scientific community has brought the accomplishments of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to a broad audience, explaining the many ways in which NSF-funded research has improved our understanding of the world and increased our standard of living. These achievements and their clear benefit to all Americans are why I have been, and will remain, a staunch supporter of increased funding for NSF.
Dr. Silver has been with the Consortium of Social Science Association (COSSA since 1983. He has been COSSA's Director since 1988 and is responsible for planning and directing all of the consortium's programs and initiatives. Dr. Silver previously was a consultant for legislative and political research, a political manager, and a legislative analyst in the Department of Education. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University, and he has taught political science and public policy at several colleges and universities.
In recent budgets and appropriations bills, the Administration and Congress have recognized the value of the NSF and the research that it supports. These actions will result in continued progress in science and technology that will benefit Americans now and in the future. The contributions of Dr. Silver and CNSF to the heightened appreciation of NSF have been substantial. Through his advocacy, I am pleased that this year the NSF will receive $4.4 billion an increase of $514 million than last year and a 13 percent increase above this year's NSF budget. This increase will help to ensure that move merit-based, peer-reviewed grants will be funded. Today, one in three grants is not funded because there is insufficient funding for them.
Samuel E. Rankin, III of the American Mathematical Association will have the honor of succeeding Dr. Silver. He should have the scientific community's continued support as he endeavors to continue the course that Howard J. Silver charted so ably for the past six years.
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