Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4664, the "Investing in America's Future Act.'' This bill reauthorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) for three years, increasing its funding by 15% each year. Today we are taking an important step forward by enhancing our commitment to our nation's science enterprise and setting a long-term goal of doubling the budget of NSF.
The National Science Foundation is the only Federal agency devoted to supporting basic research in science, math, and engineering across all fields and science and math education at all levels. In fact, NSF funds 25% of the basic research conducted in U.S. universities, and a considerably higher percentage in selected fields. NSF grants and fellowships help train over 24,000 graduate students each year, many of whom go on to make major contributions in academia and industry.
My district is home to one of our nation's premier scientific research institutions, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and one of the most prominent beneficiaries of NSF grant funding. In fiscal year 2001, Caltech received 31% of its total federal agency research support from NSF, totaling near $44 million. And Caltech is not alone. In fiscal year 1999, NSF provided 16% of the total federal research and development funds provided to ALL California universities, an impressive sum of $367 million.
By increasing NSF funding, we will enable this fine institution to expand core science programs, fund highly ranked grant proposals that would otherwise go unfunded, and pursue new initiatives such as nanotechnology and biocomplexity. We must continue to support the backbone of our new economy--fundamental scientific research and education--by supporting the National Science Foundation and its many groundbreaking endeavors.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4664 and to remain steadfast in our commitment to our nation's science enterprise.