One Last Look

Notable S&T Quotations from 2002

"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).

"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.

"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 Ray 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).

"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)

"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.

"It has become very tough."
—DOE Office of Science Director Ray Orbach discussing the budget for his office.

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

—Compiled by FYI Staff, American Institute of Physics