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October, 2003—The House of Representatives expressed its support for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program with a resolution on the occasion of the program's 30th anniversary. The text of the resolution (H. Con. Res. 279), which passed the House of Representatives on October 28, 2003, is provided below:
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the significance of the anniversary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program;
(2) acknowledges the value of 30 years of participation by the American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows; and
(3) reaffirms its commitment to support the use of science in governmental decisionmaking through the American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program.
In discussion of this resolution, a number of Members voiced their support for the AAAS fellowship program. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) said: "It is hard to find an issue before this body that does not have significant scientific and technological components, and yet those components often get short-shrifted. I was an AAAS Fellow 20 years ago, in fact, the only alumnus of that program yet to serve in this body, although I am sure that there are some others on the way. I was very fortunate to take part in that program, and I witnessed firsthand the important role that scientific expertise can bring to policy decisions."
Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) said: "I have welcomed over twenty AAAS Fellows into my office since 1979 and have been consistently impressed by their contributions to policymaking and advising. They have made a significant positive impact on the quality of life for the people of Massachusetts, the United States, and the world by instilling a measure of science and humanity into the decisions we are asked to make in these chambers every day."
Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA) said: "I have been fortunate enough to work with many AAAS fellows over my Congressional career. Without exception, they have been valuable additions to my staff. I especially appreciate the real world perspective they bring to us. While I've legislated in health care for several decades, I've never been trained in any of the health care disciplines. Having professionals on my staff who can provide that expertise has proved extremely beneficial and has probably helped keep well meant, but poorly designed legislation from becoming law on more than one occasion."
The National Council for Science and the Environment is also very supportive of the AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program, and as an institution, is especially indebted to it. Four former fellows now serve as senior staff members at NCSE, working to ensure that Congress—as it resolved in section three of the above resolution—continues to include science in environmental decisionmaking.
Congressional fellows work for one year on the staffs of Members of Congress or congressional committees, focusing on policy areas that require scientific knowledge. During that year, fellows learn how the legislative and executive branches of government operate, through a formal orientation, a series of seminars on science and public policy, and their daily job experience. The resolution finds that, "AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowships provide an opportunity for scientists and engineers to transition into careers in government service." It also notes that, "many former AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows return to their disciplines and share knowledge with students and peers to encourage more scientists and engineers to participate in informing government processes."
More information and application materials for the 2004-2005 fellowships are available at: http://fellowships.aaas.org/. The application deadline for all of the AAAS fellowship programs is January 10, 2004.
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