U.S. Rep. Walsh avows support for research; is science 'champion'

Cornell Provost Don Randel, left, presents U.S. Rep. James Walsh (R.-25th Dist.) with the "Champions of Science" award from the Science Coalition Dec. 10 in the Center for Theatre Arts. Frank DiMeo/University Photography

By David Brand

In an era of budget surpluses, zero annual deficits and the annual pay down of the national debt, "my hope is that Congress will continue to make basic research a priority," U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh (R.-25th Dist.) told a national meeting of physics researchers Dec. 10 at Cornell's Center for Theatre Arts.

The central New York congressman, whose district includes Onondaga and Cortland counties, had just been presented with the "Champions of Science" award by Cornell Provost Don M. Randel. Recipients of the award are chosen by the Science Coalition, an alliance of more than 400 organizations and individuals, including companies, medical groups, universities, scientific societies and Nobel laureates. The award to Walsh, who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on veterans affairs, housing and urban development and independent agencies, recognizes advocates of expanded federal investment in science and engineering research.

The award, Randel said, "seeks to advance and strengthen the federal government's investment in university-based research." Recipients have included Sen. Pete Domenici, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R.-Mich.), vice chair of the House Science Committee.

Walsh accepted the award near the conclusion of a symposium to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring and its associated research facilities. The event was organized by the collider's operator, the Cornell Laboratory of Nuclear Studies, and by the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source.

As chair of the appropriations subcommittee, the congressman has spending oversight responsibility for NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others agencies. He was introduced by John Silcox, Cornell vice provost for physical sciences and engineering, as one of the House appropriations cardinals "who wield great sway in all federal spending matters." Walsh noted that although he will continue to support annual increases in scientific basic research, NASA and the NSF must compete for funds with social needs, particularly veterans benefits, health care and public housing programs.

Walsh also participated in a symposium panel discussion on basic research and society, during which funding of basic research was a repeated topic. Panelist Dr. Marvin Cassman of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) noted that one reason for misunderstandings between researchers and federal funding agencies is the perception "that the reasons scientists do research are not the reasons the government funds us. They are complementary but not identical."

Cassman, who heads the NIH's basic sciences arm, the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, said that for most academic investigators the desire is to solve a fundamental problem of nature, "while the primary justification for federal funding of research is to address a societal problem. Because the motives of the parties are different, there is always a possibility of misunderstanding," he said.

Randel, who last week was named the new president of the University of Chicago, noted that Cornell has "an unshakeable commitment that a research-intensive university is an unbeatable experience for undergraduates." However, he pointed out the dilemma the university faces in the awarding of Cornell-directed funds for research, a substantial portion of which comes from undergraduate tuition.

Because about 80 percent of endowment money, he said, is restricted as to use, "we find ourselves caught in a kind of squeeze between the need to increase the institution's commitment to research and the steady cry from the public not to raise tuition." As a result, he said, the university has to "manage very carefully" its commitment to scientific research, part of which "is being paid for by the parents of undergraduates."