Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2014 - Establishes the position of Science Laureate of the United States.
Requires the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of merit, particularly the ability of such individual to foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions.
Encourages each Science Laureate to continue his or her scientific work and directs the NAS to facilitate his or her duties.
Limits the term of a Science Laureate to one year.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4176 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4176
To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 6, 2014
Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms. Shea-
Porter, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Capuano, Mr.
Veasey, Mr. Peters of California, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Michaud,
Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Polis, Mr. Takano, Mr. Grijalva, Mr.
Lewis, Mr. Cardenas, Ms. Esty, and Ms. Kuster) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Science Laureates of the United
States Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Scientific research and advancement has driven success
in the United States and global success for centuries.
(2) Scientific research has saved, improved, and extended
lives, increased the standard of living, expanded economic
opportunity, and advanced human understanding.
(3) Such research holds the promise of continuing this
progress, protecting the environment, creating jobs, growing
the economy through innovative ideas and discoveries, and
generally advancing all mankind.
(4) People in the United States can benefit when scientific
research is conducted and communicated in a transparent manner
to better inform citizens about the nature and status of such
research.
(5) Scientific education is a critical element of preparing
our Nation and our citizens for a technology-intensive future
and ensuring that the United States remains the world leader in
innovation and high-tech success.
(6) A spokesperson who can embody, demonstrate, and
articulate the importance and excitement of scientific research
and education will help improve the current and future state of
science to the benefit of all people in the United States.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE LAUREATES OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Position Established.--Congress recognizes that science
contributes to the economic prosperity and general welfare of the
United States, and that increasing the public's awareness about the
sciences will increase such benefits. Congress also recognizes that
scientists who are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the
public's interest in science do a special service to the United States.
To honor their service and to further increase the public's awareness
about the sciences, there is established the position of Science
Laureate of the United States.
(b) Appointment.--
(1) In general.--The National Academy of Sciences shall
appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of merit, particularly
the ability of an individual to--
(A) foster and enhance public awareness and
interest in science; and
(B) provide ongoing significant scientific
contributions; and
(2) Variety of scientific disciplines.--The National
Academy of Sciences shall strive to choose for the position of
Science Laureate of the United States individuals, in different
years, from different scientific disciplines, including
biology, physics, geosciences, astronomy, mathematics,
chemistry, and other science disciplines.
(c) Duties.--Each Science Laureate shall engage the public, from
time to time, to increase the public's awareness about science. A
Science Laureate is encouraged to continue the Science Laureate's
scientific work. The National Academy of Sciences shall facilitate the
duties of a Science Laureate.
(d) Limitation.--The Science Laureate position shall not have the
effect of duplicating or superseding the role of the President's
Science Advisor.
(e) Term.--Each Science Laureate shall serve a 1-year term. A
Science Laureate may be reappointed for additional terms.
(f) Compensation; Reimbursement.--
(1) Compensation.--A Science Laureate shall serve without
pay and shall not be considered to be a Federal employee based
on such individual's appointment as a Science Laureate.
(2) Reimbursement for travel.--The National Academy of
Sciences may in its discretion provide a Science Laureate with
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while performing
duties as a Science Laureate, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions in the
same manner as persons employed intermittently in the
Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of
title 5, United States Code.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
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