The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL LABORATORY EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS ACT OF 2003” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E159-E160 on Feb. 6, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL LABORATORY EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS ACT OF 2003
______
HON. MARK UDALL
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Federal Laboratory Educational Partners Act of 2003, a bill that would permit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other Department of Energy laboratories to use revenue from their inventions to support science education activities. The bill is cosponsored by my colleague from Colorado, Representative Bob Beauprez. I greatly appreciate his support.
The Federal Laboratory Educational Partners Act would amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. Under the Stevenson-Wydler Act, federal labs can use licensing royalties, sometimes called Bayh-Dole revenues, for five purposes. These include rewarding laboratories' scientific employees; furthering scientific exchange among laboratories; educating and training laboratories' employees consistent with the labs' research and development missions; covering expenses incidental to the laboratories' administration and licensing of intellectual property; and conducting scientific research and development, again consistent with the labs' research and development missions.
My bill would amend the fifth purpose to add educational assistance as another permitted use of licensing royalties.
Federal laboratories, especially the Department of Energy's national laboratories, with their high concentrations of scientists and engineers, are uniquely positioned to aid surrounding communities in improving the learning experience of their students. Currently, NREL conducts some science education activities using funds provided by private sources, including funds from companies that operate the lab--
the midwest Research Institute, Battelle, and Bechtel. But enabling NREL to use licensing revenues would give the lab greater flexibility.
Even without the expansion of permitted uses of licensing revenues that this bill would enable, NREL has conducted a number of science education programs with private funds and some funds from the Department of Energy and other federal agencies.
For instance, NREL initiated the Coalition for Learning Opportunities and United Tutors (CLOUT) program in 1998. CLOUT began as a pilot program matching 200 volunteers with fourth graders in 17 Denver public schools who needed help with reading. The program has grown to be a great success.
Another example is NREL's Junior Solar Sprint, which celebrated its twelfth year in 2002. This annual event gives students the chance to design, build, and race vehicles whose only energy source is sunlight. Each team starts with a motor and a silicon solar cell, and teams are awarded design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship, and innovation.
A third example is NREL's Columbine Spirit Scholarship at the Colorado School of Mines. It was established in 1999 by the contractors that operate NREL, MRI, Battelle and Bechtel. The three companies gave an initial $25,000 to endow the fund, which is used to award scholarships to graduates of Columbine and other Jefferson County high schools through the Colorado School of Mines Foundation. The scholarship is offered first to Columbine graduates who are pursuing degrees in disciplines related to the laboratory's research and development mission.
These three examples help us understand the importance of science education activities associated with federal laboratories and what they can mean for their surrounding communities. But because of the narrowness of current provisions in law, NREL and other labs are not able to utilize licensing revenues to support any of the activities outlined above or any other science education programs. As a result, NREL and other labs must depend on private funds for the bulk of its science education activities, which unnecessarily restricts what these labs can do in this area. My bill would expand the law to allow greater flexibility.
Licensing revenues have grown markedly over the years as the technologies NREL has created have gained wide acceptance. It makes sense to me that we should give the labs a bit more freedom to spend these funds, especially on pursuits as worthwhile as science education which can expose young people to the excitement and relevance of careers in science and technology.
Research is an investment in the future. I believe the integration of research and science education to take advantage of the unique resources and facilities of the Department of Energy's national laboratories and research facilities should be a high priority.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM PRESCOTT ALLEN, JR.
______
HON. SCOTT McINNIS
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of an accomplished Colorado publisher, William Prescott Allen, Jr., of Montrose. Mr. Allen recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of business and community leadership. As his family mourns his loss, I would like to take this time to highlight his life before this body of Congress and this nation.
Raised in Texas, William and his wife, Grace, relocated to Montrose, Colorado after he returned home from the Army during World War II. In 1944, the Allen family bought the local paper, the Montrose Daily Press. After gaining experience as a reporter and working at other family-owned newspapers, William became publisher of the Daily Press in 1948, a position he would hold for 38 years. Then, in 1997, William sold the paper after 53 years of Allen family ownership.
William remained active in the community during his lifetime. He served as a charter member in several local organizations, including the Montrose Industrial Development Corporation, the Montrose Kiwanis Club, the Ute Indian Museum, and the Uncompahgre Knife and Fork Club. William will be remembered for his contributions in the community and his leadership of the Daily Press.
Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor William Allen Jr.'s memory before this body of Congress and this nation. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife and family. William Allen was a great contributor to the state of Colorado and the community of Montrose and he will be greatly missed.
____________________
