"Sen. Bingaman has made outstanding contributions to the development of public policy that benefits chemistry and the sciences. This award expresses our appreciation for his dedication to the advancement of science," said Dr. Attila Pavlath, president of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society. Pavlath will present the award to Bingaman at a reception on Tuesday, October 9.
Bingaman has been a staunch supporter of increased civilian and defense research, championing double-digit funding increases for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Bingaman’s leadership has been key in ensuring the nation has a reliable, environmentally responsible, and inexpensive energy supply. As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he has led efforts to strengthen fundamental science research and development at the Department of Energy.
A member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Bingaman has been an advocate for strengthening K-12 science education, including supporting increased technology training for teachers and innovative educational uses of technology.
The American Chemical Society Public Service Award was established by the Board of Directors in 1996 to recognize non-members who have made outstanding contributions to the development of public policy that benefits chemistry and the sciences. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) also received the 2001 award.