Committee Celebrates 50 Years of Scientific Advancement With 
Special Guest Bill Gates

At a recent Committee hearing, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates addressed the state of America’s global leadership in science and technology.  Committee Members reviewed domestic technological advancement over the past half century, as this year marks the Committee’s 50^th anniversary.

"Sputnik showed us that we were not the world’s technological leader,” stated Chairman Bart Gordon. “Today, with the rapid economic and technological advances of other countries, I fear we are now on the cusp of another Sputnik moment.  I fear that our country has 'coasted' on the investments we made 50 years ago.  Now is the time to act and I believe this committee has an important role to play in helping bring our country back as the technological leader in the world."

This hearing was the first of several that the Committee will hold throughout the year to mark its golden anniversary and to review the nation’s technological achievements and future challenges.

Read more about the hearing with Bill Gates »

Read more about the Committee’s History and 50^th Anniversary »

Chairman Opposes Importing Foreign Nuclear Waste Into U.S.

Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) is strongly urging the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to reject EnergySolutions’s request to process and dispose of 20,000 tons of Italian low-level radioactive waste (LLRW).  In February, Gordon wrote a letter to Mr. Dale Klein, Chairman of the NRC, stating his concerns and strong opposition to importing radioactive waste into the U.S.

The NRC is accepting public comments on the proposal until June 10, 2008 via e-mail at hearingdocket@nrc.gov or by postal mail at:

Office of the Secretary
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555
Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications

Those submitting comments should reference EnergySolutions Import License Application IW023 on all correspondence.

"For almost 30 years, Congress has been attempting legislative solutions to the national need for sufficient disposal capacity of LLRW generated here in the U.S.  There is no indication in legislative history, nor in the NRC’s regulatory actions, that there was any intention the U.S. would ever become a welcome dumping ground for foreign-generated radioactive waste," said Gordon.

Read the Committee press release »

Read the letter to Mr. Klein »

President Signs Committee's Landmark Innovation Legislation

White House photo. Behind the President, from L-R: Dr. John Marburger; Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM).

(Washington, DC) On August 9, 2007, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES Act. On August 2,  Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate the passed groundbreaking legislation aimed at ensuring the United States’ strong footing as a global economic leader and retaining our “brainpower advantage.”

H.R. 2272, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act (COMPETES), makes improvements to math and science education and strengthens the nation’s commitment to scientific research.

"Securing a brighter future for our children is simply not a partisan issue. I’m proud that my colleagues and I have been able to work together to move this bill forward - this truly a team effort," added Gordon, who began work on competitiveness and innovation legislation in the 109th Congress. Click image (above, right) to hear Chairman Gordon speak on H.R. 2272 on the House floor.

Read the Committee press release »

Read Chairman Gordon's biography »