(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Chairman Brian Babin and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte issued the following statement to commemorate the remarkable milestone of 75 years of innovation and groundbreaking advancements at the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“Tomorrow, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation, our nation’s first agency solely dedicated to supporting fundamental research and education across all scientific disciplines,” Babin and Obernolte said. “NSF investments have driven groundbreaking innovations, from the internet and LASIK eye surgery to the first image of a black hole captured by the Event Horizon Telescope. The foundation has also played a key role in the work of 268 Nobel Prize laureates, helping to shape many of their landmark achievements. This momentous occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on how strategic investments, despite NSF’s relatively modest budget, have delivered remarkable returns for American society. While political debates have often focused on NSF’s support for social sciences and the geographic distribution of funding, we must refocus on its core mission: advancing discovery and education free from political agendas. Congratulations on 75 extraordinary years, and we look forward to championing NSF’s next era of innovation!”