New Brunswick, N.J. – Today, Rutgers University, Princeton University, and The Science Coalition (TSC) presented U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) with the Champion of Science Award, recognizing his support for the fundamental scientific research conducted by universities in New Jersey and across the United States. Rutgers and Princeton officials presented the award at a conference hosted by Rutgers’ Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS).
“I am humbled by this award and would like to thank Rutgers University, Princeton University, and The Science Coalition for their commitment to research and innovation. In Congress, I’ve been fighting very serious efforts to slash federal science budgets and, as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, basic facts and science will always guide my policy decisions,” Rep. Pallone stated. “We must redouble our efforts to put facts over political fiction and ensure scientists have the resources they need to continue making discoveries that will make our world a better place.”
Over the course of his congressional career, Rep. Pallone has consistently advocated for doubling the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As then-Ranking Member on the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was a key proponent of the 21st Century Cures Act, which added over $2 billion to the NIH budget. Now as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he has demonstrated keen support for various research enterprises to combat the opioid epidemic, increase research into cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as encourage the development and deployment of new technologies to deliver cures to patient populations.
“Rep. Pallone’s steadfast commitment to science has been integral to the success of research at Rutgers,” said Christopher Molloy, Chancellor of Rutgers University-New Brunswick. “Our university is the number one recipient in New Jersey of funding from NIH, and Rep. Pallone has been a fierce advocate in ensuring this crucial partnership continues. We could not be more grateful and proud to present him with this award.”
“We are thrilled to join together today to honor Rep. Pallone as a Champion of Science, a champion who understands the importance of fundamental research to the nation’s health, security, and well-being, and who has devoted his career to advocating for scientific research,” added Pablo Debenedetti, Dean for Research at Princeton University.
“Rep. Pallone is a stalwart supporter of the partnership between federal research agencies and American universities in advancing our nation’s scientific enterprise,” said Heather Bené, President of The Science Coalition. “Through his consistent support of long-term investment in fundamental scientific research, Rep. Pallone represents exactly what it means to be a Champion of Science.”
2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the Champion of Science Award, which has recognized more than 90 members of Congress since 1999. These Champions are recognized for their efforts to advance scientific discovery and American innovation through their voting records, bill sponsorships, letters of support, and other activities that secure federal funding for fundamental scientific research.
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About the Science Coalition
Established in 1994, The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive the United States’ global competitiveness.