Frank Wolf
From Science Besieged
| The draft of this article is incomplete. |
Frank Wolf is a Republican US Representative from Virginia. He is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice and Commerce, the committee with jurisdiction over funding for the National Science Foundation and NASA.
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Advocacy
On 3 May 2005, Wolf sent a letter[1] to President Bush urging strategic increases in federal funding for scientific research.
America today finds herself at a crossroads when it comes to leading the world in science and innovation. We can continue down the current path, as other nations continue to narrow the gap, or we can take bold, dramatic steps to ensure U.S. economic leadership in the 21st century and a rising standard of living for all Americans.
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...[O]ur current levels of investment in innovative research and development are not enough to keep us at the forefront. Countries such as China and India are quickly gaining ground on the United States and few people realize it. This trend should be setting off alarm bells, especially as more high-tech products, and the high-tech jobs behind them, are located elsewhere.
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Federal research support serves two essential purposes. First, it supports the research required to fuel continued innovation and economic growth. Second, because much of it takes place at the nation's colleges and universities, it plays a critical role in training our next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and others who will comprise the future scientific and technological workforce. I am concerned that with the current levels of federal investment in research and technology our country will fall victim to the fierce manpower competition we face from developing countries.
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We must ensure for future generations that America continues to be the innovation leader of the world. Investing in research and development is a critical part of optimizing our nation for innovation, a process that will require strong leadership and involvement from government, industry, academia and labor. We must choose whether to innovate or abdicate.
In floor debate over an amendment that would have reduced funding for the National Science Foundation in the FY 2006 budget, Wolf said[2]
The Nation has reached a crisis point in terms of science and technology. Any advantage that we have enjoyed is rapidly eroding. The research budget should be considered part of the national security budget. It is the most strategic investment we make in maintaining America's leadership in the world.
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Views
Two excerpts from a profile of Wolf published in Physics Today[3]
Obviously I want my children and grandchildren to live in a country where we have a strong defense and we're first in science and research. It's just common sense. If you can't see it, you must be blind.
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Wolf is straightforward about why he opposes some issues that many scientists support [such as stem-cell research and climate-change treaties]. "I don't care if you are a Nobel Prize winner, there are some pretty powerful moral issues involved," he said.[4]
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Notes
- ^ Richard M. Jones, "Chairman Wolf Urges Bush to Triple Federal R&D Funding by Next Decade", FYI: The AIP Bulletin of Science Policy, 2005:64, 4 May 2005.
- ^ Richard M. Jones, "House Rejects Move to Cut FY 2006 NSF Funding", FYI: The AIP Bulletin of Science Policy, 2005:92, 17 June 2005.
- ^ Quoted in: Jim Dawson, "Science Has Wolf as New Advocate on Capitol Hill", Physics Today, 58:7, July 2005.
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