Washington, D.C. – The PACE-Energy Act, one of a package of three bills that together implement the twenty recommendations of the recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report titled Rising Above the Gathering Storm, last week achieved the accomplishment of garnering all twelve Republican Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee members as cosponsors.  In total, PACE-Energy currently has sixty-two cosponsors, including Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority Leader Harry Reid. 

PACE-Energy (S. 2197) would improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including the National Laboratories.
    
Tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 the Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing on S. 2197 to receive testimony from the following witnesses: Dr. Ray Orbach, Director, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy; Dr. Charles Vest, President Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and  member of the Augustine Commission which authored the NAS Report; and Dr. Luis Proenza, President of the University of Akron and Chair of the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board Committee on Science and Math Education.

Senator Domenici's statement:

Rarely does a piece of legislation gain such broad and bipartisan support like the PACE-Energy Act has accomplished since last month’s introduction.  Having all twelve Republican members of the Energy Committee, along with most of the Democratic committee members, shows just how passionate the committee members are towards maintaining America’s leading edge in science and energy technology.  I look forward to hearing from our three witnesses tomorrow during the hearing and beginning the process of implementing the PACE Act into law.

Senator Craig's statement:  

I believe that the PACE-Energy Act will help the U.S. maintain its worldwide leadership in science and technology.  An important part of this effort will be utilizing some of this country's greatest assets, the national laboratories, to strengthen educational programs for primary and secondary school students through science and engineering internships. Exposing students to "real world" experiences generates excitement, builds confidence and broadens perspectives. We must continue to provide the best opportunities for our aspiring scientists and engineers. In this rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world, we cannot afford not to.

Senator Thomas' statement:

We have been entrusted to ensure the viability of our nation’s place as the world leader in science and technology.  We have the intelligence, resources, and the support to lead the way in the energy and education sectors.

Senator Alexander's statement:

President Bush has put protecting America’s competitive edge front and center on the nation’s agenda. The PACE Act now has over 60 sponsors, and this week we’ll have our first hearing on the legislation in the Energy Committee. Clearly, there is strong momentum building to pass legislation to ensure that America keeps its competitive edge and good jobs in the global economy.

Senator Murkowski's statement:

It is obvious to all of us that for America’s economy to be competitive in the global marketplace of the 21st century that we need an economy that has a highly, technically trained workforce and that we need our industries to be focused on developing cutting-edge technologies. That can only happen if we have students who are highly motivated to learn the sciences, who are introduced to the excitement and wonder of the physical world and thus want to excel in mathematics and science. To do that we both need teachers who are expert in the sciences and can impart both knowledge and the excitement of the sciences to our children. We also need programs to fan the flames of scientific interest in our students that they can develop into trained scientists, mathematicians and engineers. It will take new resources to make sure that young Americans have the means to afford the education, training and skills development they will need to compete in the sciences in the decades ahead.
  
Senator Martinez's statement: 

The PACE Act will provide necessary incentives to ensure America maintains its competitive advantage over the growing technology hubs in Asia and Europe.  By expanding educational and research opportunities for our nation’s brightest stars in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, we will increase America’s talent pool – paving the way for the increased innovation and technological advancement necessary for continuing America’s economic growth. 

Senator Talent's statement: 
 
This legislation will help strengthen America’s competitiveness in math, science and technology.  Our goal is to provide new funding and other resources to help give our students an edge for their future and to help make America’s workforce more competitive.

Senator Burns' statement:

We need to ensure our kids are gaining the tools necessary for the jobs of the 21st Century.  The PACE Act recognizes increasing global competition, and the solution is education.  In Montana, students are off to a good start, ranking first in 8th grade science scores, but we need to remain first.  Our world is getting more complicated, more competitive, and more challenging for young people, and the PACE Act will help America’s work force remain the best in the world through education.

Senator Allen's statement:

America must continue to be the World Capital of Innovation to preserve our global economic leadership and improve our standard of living for future generations. To fulfill that vision, we’re going to need a large and growing supply of scientists and engineers – because they will be the catalyst for the innovations of the future.

Senator Bunning's statement:  

This legislation will maintain America's cutting edge in advanced energy research and ensure that we continue to train the best researchers in the world.  It will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil as it provides the personnel and funding to develop alternative fuels, such as clean coal, which will benefit Kentucky’s economy and environment.

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