American Astronomical Society Endorses House Science Committee National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002

    WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- In a statement released today, the
 American Astronomical Society, the largest professional scientific association
 for astronomers and astrophysicists, has endorsed the House Science
 Committee's authorization bill for the National Science Foundation, named the
 National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.
     The statement is being issued in conjunction with a press conference being
 held by the House Science Committee on Tuesday, May 7 at 3:00 pm in the House
 Rayburn Office Building, room 2318.
     The President of the American Astronomical Society, Dr. Anneila Sargent of
 the California Institute of Technology said, "It gives me great pleasure to
 announce our Society's endorsement of the NSF authorization bill.  Chairman
 Boehlert and his committee have created a bill that finally allows for long-
 overdue increases to the NSF budget."
     Dr. Catherine Pilachowski, the president-elect of the American
 Astronomical Society, currently a faculty member at the Indiana University,
 joined in, saying "The National Science Foundation is one of the most
 important agencies in the federal government.  The Foundation funds the
 research that guarantees our nation's security, improves the quality of life
 of our fellow citizens and creates new knowledge that drives our economy."
     The statement, released today, is given below in its entirety.
 
     American Astronomical Society Endorsement of the National Science
 Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.
     The American Astronomical Society strongly endorses the House Science
 Committee's 2002 reauthorization bill for the National Science Foundation,
 named the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.  The
 authorized increases to the NSF budget of 15% over FY 2002 levels and
 subsequent 15% increases over authorized levels through 2005 will be of great
 benefit to our Nation's scientific enterprise.  The National Science
 Foundation supports a diverse and growing portfolio of basic scientific
 research, which has been harmed by a long-term trend of minimal or non-
 existent funding increases.  The American Astronomical Society will work with
 Chairman Boehlert in his efforts to return the National Science Foundation to
 a budgetary level adequate to meet its growing goals.  Only by strongly
 supporting a balanced scientific research portfolio can the federal government
 guarantee the security of our nation, the health of our fellow citizens and a
 growing base of fundamental scientific knowledge that benefits all of
 humankind.
 
                     MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -  Click Here
                http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X08637652
 
 

SOURCE  American Astronomical Society