To my fellow scientists,
If you use the US National Laboratories or facilities, please take 5 minutes of your time now to tell your congressmen/women about it - why the facilities are important to your research and why your work is important. As scientists, we don't often communicate the importance of our work to the general public or to Congress, but if we don't do it now, our national laboratories and user facilities may be devastated by the proposed cuts to the budget being considered in Congress right now. Consider the following: last Friday, the House Appropriations Committee released a bill to fund federal agencies for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 (FY'11), cutting $100 billion in discretionary spending from President Obama's budget request. Of grave concern to our country's national laboratories is a proposed $883 million in cuts (18%) from the Department of Energy's Office of Science FY 2010 levels. Cuts of this magnitude would undoubtedly lead to the shut down of many of the user facilities, the cessation of much of the scientific activity at SLAC including for SSRL and all of our National Labs, and widespread layoffs of scientists, engineers, and technicians. Our national labs need us, as users, to inform Congress of their critical role in our work and especially for the future of American science and technology. The House of Representatives is scheduled to consider this legislation THIS WEEK, so it is imperative that you contact the offices of your local House Member and your Senators by this Friday to voice your opposition to the proposed cut to the Office of Science. For more details of the budget cuts and a sample letter, read what the American Physical Society has to say: http://www.aps.org/policy/tools/alerts/index.cfm For how to find your local representative and senators: http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/APSPA Below (and attached) is a draft of a letter that you can use. Please modify it by changing the subject line slightly, addressing your congresspersons (see above for how to find), identifying yourself (professor, student, postdoc), mentioning in a line or two your research and how it depends on DOE facilities such as SLAC or on DOE funds, and signing your letter. If you work for the government, please use your personal computer to send the e-mail. Thank you, Beth A. Wurzburg Chair, SSRL Users' Executive Committee ---- letter ---- Subject: DOE Office of Science Budget I am writing to urge you not to support the drastic reductions in federal science programs that are being discussed in Congress. While I understand the need for fiscal restraint, the proposed spending cuts would have a devastating effect on America’s competitiveness in science and technology, and destroy the positive impacts of the significant investments that Congress has made so well over the last several years. Scientific research is fundamental and essential to American innovation and to our efforts to grow our economy, create jobs and build a better America. The proposed cuts to the Department of Energy’s Office of Science budget would result in thousands of layoffs and a cessation of activities at national scientific user facilities upon which American industry, small business and university research depend. The bill, H.R. 1, is a job killer for scientists, engineers, technologists, and blue collar support personnel at national laboratories and universities across the country. They are vital elements of the American workforce and our innovation enterprise. This bill would starkly reduce one of the most important avenues for education of the next generation of researchers – graduate students and postdoctoral fellows – which will form the workforce that will create new American technologies. The cuts would also have a severe impact on cutting-edge research in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, high-speed computing, advanced materials and photonics, as well as high-energy physics, nuclear physics and fusion energy sciences. At a time when we are seeking to spark economic growth and encourage talented young people to pursue careers in science and engineering, reducing federal support for science research and education is counterproductive. Such cuts will hurt our long-term competitiveness, especially at a time when emerging economies such as China and India are ramping up their investments in scientific research and education. I urge you to oppose the proposed cuts for the DOE Office of Science and all other federal science agencies and support investments in our country’s future that will enhance our global competitiveness. Sincerely, -----
