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Lane appears to have managed the federal science and technology system well. According to Science, the president’s proposed FY2001 budget, transmitted to the Congress early in February 2000, included a 7 percent ($2.8 billion) increase for programs accounting for the bulk of government spending on civilian science and technology, providing “a windfall to researchers exploring everything from the sun to atomic-level machines on Earth,” and representing “a strong commitment to academic research. It [the proposed budget] also challenges Congress to ease up on [Contract with America-mandated]spending limits in favor of boosting science.” Andrew Lawler, “Clinton Seeks ‘Major Lift’ in U.S. Research Programs,” Science (January 28, 2000), 558-59.

At the April 2000 AAAS Science and Technology Policy Forum, Lane publicly set what Science referred to as “some uncharacteristically specific science policy goals.” Among them: doubling federal spending on civilian research to 1 percent of GDP in ten years; a doubling of corporate investment in university-based research; and a 10 percent per year increase in science-related degrees awarded to minorities and women. “Science Scope,” Science (April 21, 2000), 413.

Lane also spoke often about the importance of scientists going outside their laboratories to become civic scientists as well, involving the non-scientific public in supporting the American science and technology system by making plain its social and economic benefits. Lane, op. cit ., 260.

Fccset/nstc

Under the guidance of Gibbons and Lane, FCCSET, elevated and expanded as the National Science and Technology Council (NCST) in 1994, continued to function at reasonably effective levels. Among the studies and reports of FCCSET/NSTC and its working subcommittees, three either resulted in cross-agency budget initiatives or consisted of reports on those initiatives: global change research (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2000); nanotechnology (1999 and 2000), and high performance computing and communication (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996). Texts of all FCCSET/NSTC reports from 1991 through January 2001 can be accessed at (External Link) .

President Clinton signing the executive order creating the National Science and Technology Council. Behind Clinton, left to right, Gibbons and Vice President Al Gore. Courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library

The high performance computing and communication topic enjoyed special status. In 1991, during the first Bush administration, Congress authorized the creation of The President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC), whose scope was expanded under the Next Generation Internet Act of 1998. (External Link) . “Comprising leading IT experts from industry and academia, the Committee helps guide the Administration’s efforts to accelerate the development of information technologies vital for American prosperity in the 21 st century.” (External Link) .

At Clinton’s request, Congress authorized the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NII) as one of the major fiscal year 2001 research initiatives.

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Source:  OpenStax, A history of federal science policy from the new deal to the present. OpenStax CNX. Jun 26, 2010 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11210/1.2
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