I ACS COMMENT

Opportunity of a Lifetime

John R. Wiesenfeld

chairman Committee on

Chemistry & Public Affairs

T he Congressman calls you Γ~ into his office to discuss the inability of many universi­

ties to afford the equipment they need to perform state-of-the-art re­search. He gives you the responsi­bility of getting further funding ap­proved. After many long hours of hard work, and despite facing strong opposition, you succeed. You lean back in your chair, satis­fied to know that your efforts led to an additional $15 million in the next year's federal budget for scien­tific instrumentation grants. I

If this true account from a past ACS Congressional Fellow appeals to you, consider applying to serve as a fellow yourself. The American Chemical Soci­ety's Congressional Fellowship Pro­gram places an ACS member in the of­fice of a U.S. Senator, Representative, or Congressional committee to serve for a year as an objective scientific and technical resource, while receiving firsthand knowledge of the operation of Congress. With a new Administra­tion, many new members of Congress, and the growing recognition of the im­portance of science to the nation's com­petitive strength, this is an especially exciting time to serve.

The successes of one past ACS fel­low, Kathleen McGinty, demonstrate the doors that can be opened through the program. McGinty served in 1989-90 on the personal staff of Sen. Al Gore (D.-Tenn.). McGinty proved so valu­able that when her fellowship ended, the Senator hired her as a regular member of his staff, handling energy and environment issues. Most recently, the New York Times described McGinty as Vice President-elect Gore's "chief environmental specialist since she joined his Senate staff in 1989" and an "important figure on the environment-economy transition team" for the new Administration.

The Vice President-elect has written that "ACS fellows are an invaluable re­source to Congressional staffs studying science and technology issues—issues which I am sure you agree are crucial

to the future well-being of our nation and planet."

Rep. George E. Brown Jr. (D.-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, also holds the program in high regard, not­ing that "as more legislative issues are driven by technology, we will need more staff expertise in scientific fields, expertise which we eagerly seek from fellows such as ACS provides."

Mark K. Dickson, an ACS fellow in 1984-85 writes, "I consider the year that I spent on Capitol Hill working in Congress and with ACS to have been one of the most rewarding and inter­esting years of my life."

Fellows are selected on a competitive basis from among ACS members who have applied and have significant famil­iarity with one of the chemical sciences

| AWARDS 1

All ACS members are invited by the Committee on Patents & Related Mat­ters (CP&RM) to suggest possible can­didates for induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The inventor may or may not be a U.S. citizen, but the invention upon which the nomina­tion is based must be covered by a U.S. patent. The invention must have con­tributed greatly to the national welfare

" Π or engineering (for example, a doctorate or equivalent work ex­perience), a working understand­ing of the chemical community, and experience in civic activities or public affairs. The ACS Committee on Chemistry & Public Affairs oversees selection of the fellows and operation of the program. The one-year fellowship begins in Sep­tember and includes a stipend of about $40,000.

Whether you are an industrial researcher or manager, a profes-

I sor or graduate student, or any­one else intrigued by the possibil­

ities, I hope that you will not pass by this chance to serve Congress while gaining valuable experience. It is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.

To apply, send your résumé and a letter of intent to Bill Gray, Department of Government Relations & Science Policy, American Chemical Society, 1155—16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. The letter of intent should be an essay of approximately two pages de­scribing your reasons for applying, your background in science and public policy, and what you would seek to ac­complish as a fellow. Two letters of rec­ommendation also must be submitted, and should be sent directly by their au­thors. For more information, phone Gray at (202) 872-4467. Application deadline for the 1993-94 fellowship is Jan. 1,1993. Π

and significantly promoted progress in science and the useful arts.

Nomination documents may be ob­tained by contacting Nancy Todd, staff li­aison, CP&RM, Department of Govern­ment Relations & Science Policy, ACS, 1155—16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 872-4476. The deadline for submitting suggestions for the 1994 award is Feb. 28,1993. Π

Suggestions sought for Inventors Hall of Fame

54 DECEMBER 14,1992 C&EN