Senator Ron Wyden Recognized as 'Champion of Science' at University of Oregon 8/18/2003
From: Betsy Boyd of the University of Oregon, 541-346-0946 or eaboyd@oregon.uoregon.edu EUGENE, Ore., Aug. 18 -- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) was honored today as a "Champion of Science" for his support of federal funding for basic scientific research. University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer presented the award to Wyden on behalf of the University of Oregon and The Science Coalition. "Faculty at the University of Oregon consistently bring tens of millions of dollars in competitive research grants to the state of Oregon. These grants support research that is of inestimable value to all of us, and they create jobs in our state. It takes a champion like Senator Ron Wyden to ensure the nation maintains its commitment to basic research so that our faculty can compete for -- and win -- these final grant funds," President Frohnmayer said. The event at the University of Oregon (UO) was attended by Wyden, business leaders, UO faculty, alumni, supporters and guests. UO Vice President for Research Rich Linton led a discussion on how federal research funds stimulate economic activity. In accepting the "Champion of Science" award, Wyden addressed this issue. "There is nothing more important to me as Oregon's senior U.S. Senator than my work to help revive Oregons flagging economy," Wyden said. "I believe research universities are the sparkplugs of economic activity. With adequate research funding we can build a strong economy for Oregon for the 21st century." Wyden has been a strong leader in supporting federal funding for basic science research -- research that leads to new discoveries and to new applications that benefit society. In particular, Wyden's outspoken support of university programs that train scientists and engineers as a means of stimulating industry in the state of Oregon and nationwide has earned him acclaim. Wyden was instrumental in the 2002 National Science Foundation reauthorization which laid out a plan to double the NSF budget within five years. Wyden is also a leader in the area of nanotechnology policy; he authored the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act. Wyden is also strongly committed to ensuring that women are represented in the field of science. The University of Oregon is a member of The Science Coalition, an alliance of more than 400 organizations that encourage a strong partnership between the federal government and research universities to advance science and technological innovation deemed vital to the nations economic and social progress. The coalition began the Champion of Science award program in 1999. Representatives from some 60 universities who participate on the coalition's steering committee selected Wyden for the award. Among the more than forty previous recipients of this award are U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representative Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.). ------ The Science Coalition is an alliance of more than 400 organizations, institutions and individuals, including Nobel Laureates, businesses, voluntary health organizations, medical groups, healthcare providers, scientific societies, and public and private universities -- dedicated to sustaining the federal government's historic commitment to U.S. leadership in basic science. For more information, go to http://www.sciencecoalition.org. |