A U.S. Congressman's view

I am on Joe Barton's email list. This is a section from one of them.
Though some of you might find this interesting.

Mitchell James

SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The House Science Committee, of which I am a Member, has
remained steadfast during the 108th Congress in addressing the tragedy of
the Space Shuttle Columbia. Shortly after the loss of the Columbia, the
Committee held a joint hearing with the Senate to hear from NASA
Administrator O'Keefe regarding events prior to the accident, as well as
NASA's internal investigation efforts. Once the Columbia Accident
Investigation Board (CAIB) releases their findings in late August, the
Committee will hold a series of hearings to examine the policies which may
have contributed to the loss of Columbia, and what changes should follow. I
plan to be an integral part of this process.

The Science Committee also developed legislation this year
to honor the sacrifice and heroism of the Columbia's crew. H.R. 1297
requires the construction of a memorial to the Columbia crew in Arlington
National Cemetery. This legislation was incorporated into the Emergency
Wartime Supplemental bill, which was signed into law by President Bush on
April 16, 2003. The House also passed H.Res. 222, to commend those who
contributed to debris collection following the Columbia accident. Many of
these law enforcement officers and private citizens who were honored in this
bill reside in the Sixth Congressional District.

The Science Committee has also been working toward securing
our energy future and reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.
The Committee authored a significant portion of H.R. 6, the House-passed
Energy bill, which would invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy
technologies, safe nuclear energy, clean coal technologies, and the
President's hydrogen initiatives. The House also passed H.R. 766,
authorizing $2.36 billion over three years for nanotechnology research.
Experts predict nanotechnology to be a $1 trillion industry which will
transform our daily lives in much of the same way as computers. One of the
nation's top nanotechnology facilities is located right here in our
backyard, at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Other issues facing the Committee during this Congress will
be reducing the burden of invasive species, which cost the U.S. an estimated
$137 billion a year, and addressing the challenges of the "Digital Divide",
the disparity in access to technology between whites and minority
populations.
I hope you find this Barton Bytes both interesting and informative.

Best wishes,

Joe Barton
Member of Congress