AWARDS PROMOTING SCIENCE Reps. Price (second from left) and Lewis (second from right) were praised by Pearce, McClelland (center), and Reichmanis.
KUDOS TO LEGISLATORS ACS bestows Public Service Awards on U.S. Reps. David Price and Jerry Lewis
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N T H E EVENING OF SEPT. 25,
members of the American Chemical Society Board of Directors were joined by members of Congress, staffers, and other invited guests to honor the work of two U.S. representatives with the presentation of the ACS Public Service Awards. The awards were established in 1997 under the direction of past ACS president Ronald Breslow to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the development of public policy that benefits chemistry and the sciences. ACS Board Chair Nina I. McClelland opened the ceremony held in the Rayburn Office Building on Capitol Hill by recognizing the seven board members in attendance and thanking Breslow, who was unable to attend, for his work to establish the awards. She then turned the podium over to ACS President Eli M. Pearce. "Chemistry's ability to make important contributions to our everyday lives transcends what the ACS can do alone. It requires the strong leadership of individuals in government, industry, and academia," Pearce said. "The ACS Public Service Awards are our way of thanking those public officials who share our passion for science and recognize that science and technology are critical to the advancement of our nation." With that, Pearce presented the first Public Service Award of the night to Rep. David Price (D-N.C). Elected in 1986, Price represents a district that includes Research Triangle Park. "I've been in good contact with ACS for my entire time in office," Price noted. This is "partially because an ACS past-president, 38
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Ernest L. Eliel, is a University of North Carolina professor." He assured the audience that Eliel made certain that Price and his staff were briefed on a wide range of scientific issues. Price currently serves on the House Budget and Appropriations Committees, including the VA, H U D & Independent Agencies Subcommittee. He has been a champion of sustained federal investment in science and engineering research and government-university partnership. Price's leadership has helped to increase research funding at the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Aeronautics & Space Administration. As a former educator, he sponsored legislation that created NSF's Advanced Technological Education program. Noting the importance of ACS, Price challenged the society to be a driving force to keep NSF funding in the limelight. He concluded by thanking ACS for the awards and saluting the society for all of the work it does. ACS President-Elect Elsa Reichmanis then took the stage to present the second Public Service Award to Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif). Emphasizing Lewis' understanding of the importance of research to the U.S. military's future as well as the importance of civilian research to the country's future, Reichmanis presented the award to Lewis. "I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of my colleagues in Congress who understand the importance and significant role that you who work every day
in the sciences have in terms of America's future," Lewis stated. Lewis was first elected to Congress in 1978, representing the 4 0 t h district of Southern California. He is currently the chairman of the House Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, where he is an advocate for science and technology programs at the Department of Defense. He has been a staunch supporter of increased defense and civilian research throughout his congressional tenure. "Congress, I can say in a totally nonpartisan way, does understand the value of science to our future," Lewis said. "Without the work that ACS does and the partnership that we're involved in, America could not begin to carry forward the significant responsibilities it has in this evershrinking world." McClelland concluded the ceremony by pledging ACS's continued support in advising Congress on scientific matters and encouraging Congress to call on ACS whenever it sees a need for sound scientific advice.—SUSAN MORRISSEY ACS FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS As a service to ACS members, C&EN periodically publishes a list of frequently requested phone numbers. Unless otherwise noted, first dial (800) 227-5558. When prompted, dial the extension given below. To contact other offices, dial the 800 number and ask for operator assistance, or visit the ACS website, http://www.chemistry.org. Address changes (800)333-9511 Career Services 4432 Challenge 2000 4094 Education, K-12 programs 4382 Education, undergraduate 4480 Gifts and other products 4600 National Chemistry Week 6097 Legislative & 4386 Government Affairs Local sections 4611 Meetings, national 4396 Meetings, regional 6129 Membership (800)333-9511 Records and accounts (800)333-9511
HTTP://PUBS. ACS.ORG/CEN
