Holt Highlights Recovery-Funded Science R&D Investments

Press Release

Holt Highlights Recovery-Funded Science R&D Investments

U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) today joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, other members of Congress, and representatives of the leading public and private research universities to highlight investments in science and innovation made in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Earlier this year, Holt helped lead the effort to include nearly $22 billion of new funding for science research and facilities, including $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $3 billion for the National Science Foundation, and $2 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science. Today, Holt recognized funding that universities and research institutions have received to support scientific discovery and facility construction and upgrades. In New Jersey, Rutgers has received $22.4 million, Princeton University has received $22.8 million, and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has received $15.6 million.

"Almost a year ago, a group of leaders from Congress, academia, research and industry gathered at Princeton University to underscore the need for a greater investment in research and innovation to reinvigorate our economy," Holt said. "When we invested nearly $22 billion in the Recovery Bill for scientific discovery, we set the stage not just for job creation today, but for the economic growth of tomorrow. It is vital for our long-term economic prosperity that we maintain this robust commitment to scientific research and development."

In December 2008, Holt hosted a roundtable discussion at Princeton University, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, senior Congressional leaders, and national leaders in the science and technology community to highlight the importance of innovation infrastructure to ensure long-term American competitiveness.

"I want to thank Congressman Rush Holt. A physics researcher before running for office, Congressman Holt helped ensure that the Recovery Act included a robust investment in scientific research," Pelosi said. "As co-chair of the R&D Caucus, he organized last year's Princeton Roundtable. As a former educator, he is leading the drive for excellence in math and science for our students, helping establish TEACH grants to open college doors to young people committed to teaching science and math after graduation."

Holt noted that the Recovery funding supports the repair of outdated research labs, the manufacture of new scientific instruments, the education of bright graduate students, and the acceleration of projects that save energy and create new sources of energy. All of these projects provide jobs not just to scientists but to research assistants, electricians who wire labs, technicians who run instruments, and construction workers who renovate the buildings.

Tuesday's event included the launch of ScienceWorksForUS (www.ScienceWorksForUS.org), an initiative to highlight research funded by the Recovery bill. The site tracks where funding is going and features stories of those who are benefitting from research funding.

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