Honoring Research Supporters in Congress

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University Provost Daniel Linzer joined representatives of some 50 American research universities Wednesday (May 8) for a Science Coalition event honoring the efforts of 28 members of Congress for their sustained support of funding for basic scientific research.

In an era of tight budgets and federal funding cutbacks, officials from U.S. research universities recognized the lawmakers at a “Breakfast of Champions” event in Washington, D.C., for their commitment to keeping America at the forefront of biomedical and technological innovation.

The group thanked the members for their leadership and urged them to encourage their fellow members of Congress to support continued generous funding of scientific research and to make federal investments in science a priority.

Provost Linzer presented one of the “Champion of Science Awards” to the only member of the Illinois Congressional delegation honored, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), who is a member of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Hultgren has been credited with being a strong voice in the House of Representatives for the importance of science.

Linzer later spent time with other members of Congress during a visit to Capitol Hill.

“At a time when federal spending cuts are trimming research grants, it could hardly be more important to honor those in Congress who understand profoundly that federally funded research at major universities has been one of the bedrock catalysts for discoveries and breakthroughs in science and medicine for decades,” Linzer said. 

At the breakfast, each Champion of Science was presented with a commemorative Wheaties Breakfast of Champions box. The Breakfast of Champions also featured exhibits by federally funded researchers. 

The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing more than 50 of the nation’s leading research universities, and it is committed to strong federal funding to support “basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation and drive America’s global competitiveness.”