AIP FYI #3: One Last Look: Notable S&T Quotations from 2002

Before turning our attention to 2003, a final look at 2002 with quotations
from last year’s FYIs:

“International tests place our students in the bottom third of
industrialized nations in their performance in science, and dead last among
those nations in high school physics.” – Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI)

“I want to state clearly at this point that, despite its apparent
impracticality, the administration values discovery-oriented science, and
aims to continue to support the grand quest for knowledge about the universe
at the largest and smallest scales.” – OSTP Director John Marburger at a
meeting of the American Astronomical Society

“In absolute terms the science and technology [budget request] numbers have
grown as well. Would we have liked to have gone faster? Of course.” – DOD
Comptroller Dov Zakheim on the Administration’s FY 2003 Defense Department
request.

“The Congress, led by this Committee, will have to show its mettle and
provide an infusion of cash for the rest of the research budget, even in
these strained times.” – House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
(R-NY)

“The priorities of the nation drastically changed in a matter of a few
hours.” – OSTP Director Marburger

“It’s a big deal.” – Commerce Secretary Don Evans on global climate change

“While these projects don’t sound very relevant to the daily existence of
most Americans, the downstream impact of projects like these is pretty
significant.” – DOE Undersecretary Robert Card on nuclear and high energy
physics research

“What I’ve come to understand is that in science and technology, few things
could actually be bigger than nanotechnology.” – Rep. Boehlert

“It has become very tough.” – DOE Office of Science Director Ray Orbach
discussing the budget for his office

“. . . pretty meager.” – Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) on the FY 2003 NSF
request

“I think you need to raise your visibility . . . [the] public perception is
not as great as it should be.” – Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) to NSF
officials

“Some believe NASA has lost its focus and that the pioneering spirit, the
excitement of NASA’s mission is gone. But believe me, that spirit is alive
and well. We intend to nourish it.” – NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe

“The Department’s scientific inquiries and modeling clearly demonstrate
that a repository at Yucca Mountain can meet the EPA’s standards for
protecting the health and safety of our citizens.” – Energy Secretary
Spencer Abraham

“Nevada considers the Yucca Mountain project to be the product of extremely
bad science, extremely bad law, and extremely bad public policy.” – Nevada
Governor Kenny Guinn

“. . . the physical sciences need more attention.” – Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI)
at hearing on the NSF “doubling” bill.

“If we can afford to double NIH, we can afford to double NSF.” – Rep.
Ehlers

“Get the accounting done, and think big. I think you’re up to it.” –
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to NASA Administrator O’Keefe on the space station

“I find this really disturbing.” – Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) on the
FY 2003 NSF request

“I’m disappointed that the Administration has not demonstrated the same
level of support for NSF as we have.” – Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO)

“Understanding the actual return on our federal investment dollar is all
the more essential in the current environment, when we need to ensure that
national security needs are fully met. We cannot afford to increase funding
for all programs.” – OMB Comptroller Mark Everson at a hearing on the
evaluation of R&D programs.

“Without adequate research into the underlying fields of physics and
chemistry, advances in biology and medicine will stall.” – Rep. Connie
Morella (R-MD)

“We get a huge return on the money that we invest in research, and we will
determine today what kind of a world our children will live in.” – Rep. Gill
Gutknecht (R-MN) during House consideration of NSF “doubling” bill

“No one lab will have supremacy.” – Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) on the
role of national labs in the new Department of Homeland Security

“I just don’t want to be second in the world.” – Office of Science Director
Orbach to high energy physics advisory panel.

“America’s technological prowess is unequaled in the world today – which is
why, despite our economic slowdown and the financial burdens of prosecuting
the war against terrorism and ensuring our collective defense, we still have
the strongest, most vibrant economy on the planet.” – Senator Joseph
Lieberman (D-CT)

“It always pays to be mindful of the fact – especially in the wake of the
September 11 events – that there is a strong and tight linkage between our
national security and the level of science and technology proficiency in
America.”- Rep. John Larson (D-CT)

“Where the rubber meets the road, we have to stop talking and invest, with
real money, in the science and engineering enterprise that will guaranty the
health, economic viability, and security of our future.” – Senator Ernest
Hollings (D-SC)

Richard M. Jones

Media and Government Relations Division

The American Institute of Physics

fyi@aip.org

(301) 209-3094