News Release

Neal Lane, science advisor to the President, honored

Grant and Award Announcement

American Chemical Society

Washington, D.C. - The world's largest scientific society has honored Neal F. Lane, Ph.D., with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Public Service Award for his continued leadership and support in the advancement of science education and science policy. The ACS Public Service Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding individual who has worked to promote the expansion of scientific knowledge for the benefit of all of society.

"Neal Lane not only supports federal investment in science, but also has a personal history as a federally funded scientist," said Ed Wasserman, Ph.D., president of the American Chemical Society. "He has fought for research funding and has performed extensive research of his own. He not only campaigns on behalf of science education, but also has been recognized as a superior educator."

A champion of federal support for both disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research, Lane was instrumental in securing a FY 2000 increase for basic research in a White House budget that strictly limited discretionary spending. During congressional testimony this year on federal funding for research and development, Lane continued to advocate strong federal funding for research and development.

Lane testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space that "investments in science and technology...have driven economic growth and improvements in the quality of life in America for the last 200 years. They have generated new knowledge and new industries, created new jobs, ensured economic and national security, reduced pollution and increased energy efficiency, provided better and safer transportation, improved medical care, and increased living standards for the American people. Now is not the time to reduce our investment in the future."

Wasserman cited Lane as a "calm center in the eye of a hurricane with many strong forces around him, which steers the scientific community in appropriate directions."

Since 1998, Lane has served as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Prior to his current position in the Executive Office of the President, Lane was Director of the National Science Foundation from October 1993 and served on the National Science Board. He was also Director of Physics at the National Science Foundation (NSF) from 1979 to 1980.

As NSF Director, Lane secured strong funding from Congress for both basic research and science education. He accomplished this by educating lawmakers on the importance and practical benefit of federal investment in science and training, and by working closely with scientific and professional organizations.

Earlier in his career, Lane was Provost and Professor of Physics at Rice University in Houston, Tex., a position he held since 1986. His stay at Rice began in 1966 when he joined the Department of Physics as an assistant professor. After leaving Rice, Lane joined the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where he served as chancellor for two years.

Born in Oklahoma City in 1938, Lane earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Oklahoma.

The ACS Public Service Award was established by the Board of Directors to recognize non-members who have made outstanding contributions to the development of public policy that benefits chemistry and the sciences. Past ACS Public Service Award recipients include members of congress.

NOTE:
Award to be presented Wednesday, September 29, 1999, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in The United States Capitol, Lyndon B. Johnson Room (2-211).

Please enter through the North door of the Capitol, Constitution Avenue side.

Members of the press should RSVP to Julie Malveaux in the ACS news and information service at (202) 872-6042. For security purposes, press arriving later than 6:00 p.m. must provide their social security number.

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A nonprofit organization with a membership of nearly 159,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. ( http://www.acs.org )


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