The 20th Annual Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) Exhibition & Reception held on May 7th in the Rayburn House Office Building was a great success, with a turnout of more than 275 attendees (including eight members of Congress). GSA joined the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in cosponsoring a display on the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expedition to drill the fault responsible for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The booth was visited by Representative Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH), and Dr. Roger Wakimoto, Assistant Director of the NSF’s Geosciences Directorate.
Dr. Patrick Fulton of UC Santa Cruz describes the IODP's drilling expedition to Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH).
Dozens of other organizations participated in the Reception, which has been an excellent chance to bolster Congressional support for the NSF by showcasing federally-funded basic and applied research efforts. Currently, the NSF has not been faring well on Capitol Hill, with both the House Appropriations Committee and House Science Committee considering legislation that flatlines and in some cases (particularly in the Geosciences Directorate) cuts funding for research.
Representatives from AGI and AGU discuss drill cores with Dr. Jim Sample of Northern Arizona University.
The CNSF is The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) is an alliance of over 120 organizations united by a concern for the future vitality of the national science, mathematics, and engineering enterprise. CNSF supports the goal of increasing the national investment in the National Science Foundation's research and education programs in response to the unprecedented scientific, technological and economic opportunities facing the United States.
http://www.cnsfweb.org/