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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
July 29, 1998
Statement By The President
Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 1273, the
"National Science Foundation Authorization Act of
1998."
Science, engineering, and technology are potent forces
for progress and achievement. Over the past century,
advances in science and technology have driven much
of our economic growth and shaped the lives of every
generation of Americans in previously unimaginable
ways. As we approach the 21st Century, many of our
society's expectations for a better future are dependent
upon advances in science and technology.
The science and engineering investments made by the
National Science Foundation (NSF) will create new
knowledge, spur innovations, foster future breakthroughs,
and provide cutting-edge research facilities to help
power our Nation in the next century. These investments
will help secure the continued prosperity of our economy,
improvements in health care and our standards of living,
and better education and training for America's students
and workers.
This Act will enable the NSF to continue to play an
important leadership role in sustaining scientific
and technological progress. I am pleased to note that
the appropriation authorization levels in H.R. 1273
are the same as proposed in my FY 1999 Budget, and
I urge that these amounts be appropriated. The proposed
funding for the NSF is part of my Administration's
broader, aggressive agenda for science and technology
investments throughout the Federal Government, which
includes the NSF's participation in the Global Observations
to Benefit the Environment Initiative, the Partnership
for a New Generation of Vehicles Program, and the
Education and Training Technology Initiative. I especially
commend the Congress for authorizing the NSF's participation
in the Next Generation Internet Program. This multi-agency
program will push the frontiers of computation and
communications and help fuel the revolution in information
technology.
I want to acknowledge the bipartisan efforts in the
House and the Senate that produced this important
legislation and, in particular, remember the contributions
of the late Steve Schiff of New Mexico, Chairman of
the House Basic Research Subcommittee. Throughout
his life and career, Steve Schiff dedicated his time
and talents to make life better for the people of
New Mexico and for this fellow Americans. Even as
he waged his final courageous battle against cancer,
he continued his efforts to make life better for families
across this country. This Act is just one piece of
his legacy and demonstrates how the Congress and the
Administration can work together to help continue
U.S. leadership in science and technology. I am pleased
to sign it into law.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 29, 1998.
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