WASHINGTON, DC – The Science Coalition (TSC), Harvard University, and Northeastern University today presented Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (MA-5) with the Champion of Science Award, recognizing her support for federal investment in fundamental scientific research conducted at universities in Massachusetts and across the country. Dr. Larry Bacow, president of Harvard University, and Dr. Joseph E. Aoun, president of Northeastern University, thanked Assistant Speaker Clark for promoting legislation that advances science and boosts the research workforce.
“It’s an honor to receive the Champion of Science Award from the people who would truly know best – the Science Coalition,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “For almost three decades, they have gathered the leading public and private research universities to ensure that those of us in government continue to understand and invest in fundamental scientific research to foster economic growth, spur innovation, and drive American competitiveness. From our federal budget to our pandemic recovery to climate action, I am proud to be your partner in Washington and eager to see the next great breakthrough that tackles the challenges of today and builds a better tomorrow.”
“Representative Clark has fought with great success to increase the public investment in our research agencies, to strengthen the federal partnership with universities, and to make STEM fields and research more inclusive, equitable, and accessible,” said Harvard President Dr. Larry Bacow. “Harvard is proud to partner with the Congresswoman on these efforts because we know that a well-funded and diverse scientific workforce will bring new insights and creative new ways of thinking to STEM fields, which, in turn, will make the U.S. research enterprise far stronger. I thank her for her dedicated efforts to increase the federal investment in basic research and congratulate her on being named a Champion of Science.”
“Congresswoman Clark has long been a champion of science, and this has been particularly true – and vitally important – over the past two years,” said Northeastern University President Joseph E. Aoun. “Scientific leadership is critical to our wellbeing, our prosperity, and our entire way of life. The entire Northeastern community is grateful to Congresswoman Clark for her unwavering commitment to helping the United States maintain its leadership in science and research.”
“The last two years have demonstrated the importance of a resilient research enterprise to keep Americans healthy and maintain our innovation capacity, and Rep. Clark’s longstanding advocacy in Congress to strengthen the partnership between federal research agencies and our universities has played a central role in doing so,” said Peter DeYoe, President of The Science Coalition. “Thanks to her great work on the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Clark has helped secure our nation’s position as the global research leader, propel innovative discoveries, and deliver economic returns for her constituents in Massachusetts and beyond. While TSC welcomed Rep. Clark to our class of Champions last year, we are excited to present her today with the signature Wheaties box in recognition of her leadership.”
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.
For nearly 30 years, TSC has recognized 109 members of Congress with the “Champion of Science” Award for their commitment to secure federal funding for fundamental scientific research. Each Champion is selected based on their voting records, bill sponsorships, letters of support, and other activities that furthered scientific discovery and innovation. Each awardee demonstrates an unwavering dedication to supporting research institutions and the advancement of fundamental scientific advancement across all disciplines.
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