Washington, D.C. — Six new and forty-one previous congressional Champions of Science were honored today on Capitol Hill for their leadership and support of federal funding for basic science research. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson served as Master of Ceremonies for the “Breakfast of Champions”® hosted by The Science Coalition.

“The Science Coalition, with the assistance and permission of General Mills, has reached out to say thank you to these public servants - our own authentic American champions - for their special dedication to university-based science research by presenting each with a personalized box of Wheaties ®,” Jackson said. “Their continued efforts on behalf of scientific research, discovery, and innovation are the key to a future where there will be cures for disease, more security and prosperity, and a brighter, better future for all.”

New awardees included Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senators Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), and Conrad Burns (R- MT), and Representatives Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN), and Judy Biggert (R-IL).

Nearly twenty Members of Congress, university presidents, and leaders of the science and business communities were on hand at the breakfast as the Champions were presented with a personalized Wheaties ® box featuring his or her photograph.

Later in the day, President Jackson also personally presented U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) with the Champion of Science award.

Previous Champions included George Allen (R-VA), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Christopher S. “Kit” Bond (R-MO), Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA), Norman Dicks (DWA), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Bill Frist (R-TN), Richard Gephardt (D-MO), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ralph Hall (D-TX), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), John Murtha (D-PA), George Nethercutt, Jr. (R-WA), David Obey (D-WI), David Price (D-NC), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Rick Santorum (R-PA), F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), Nick Smith (R-MI), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Mark Udall (D-CO), James Walsh (R-NY), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Curt Weldon (R-PA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Rensselaer is a member of The Science Coalition, which describes itself as an alliance of more than 400 organizations, institutions and individuals, including Nobel Laureates, businesses, voluntary health organizations, medical groups, healthcare providers, scientific societies, and public and private universities — dedicated to sustaining the federal government's historic commitment to U.S. leadership in basic science.

Shirley Ann Jackson’s Welcoming Remarks

NOTE: “Breakfast of Champions” is a registered trademark of General Mills, Inc. and is used with their permission.

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu