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1\30 FYI No 13- US Will Rejoin ITER
Part 2 of 2

SCIENCE AT DOE:

"Many times when I have the chance to talk about science at DOE, I 
have to explain why basic research finds a home at a Department called 
Energy. In fact, we might well be called the Department of Energy and 
Science given the importance of our role in American and indeed 
international science.

"And the reason we are so deeply involved in science is simple. Our 
mission here at DOE ... as I have stressed since becoming Secretary 
... is national security.  And in my view, a serious commitment to 
national security demands a serious commitment to science, especially 
basic research.  This commitment strengthens our energy security, 
international competitiveness, economic growth and intellectual 
leadership...."

"[I]f we ever hope to leapfrog today's energy challenges we must look 
to basic research. The kind of basic research you are doing here at 
the Princeton Lab.

"DOE is really a special place for science. We are willing to take 
risks on research, knowing that experiments at the cutting edge can 
lead in unexpected directions...."

"Still, few appreciate that fusion and plasma physics research have 
led, for example, to more efficient superconductors, better engines 
for satellites, more advanced MRIs and other diagnostic equipment that 
perform medical miracles, and revolutionary new coatings to improve 
performance of automobile and aircraft parts."

SCIENCE EDUCATION:

"Let me also say that I am truly impressed by your education programs. 
This could not be more important. I'm sure we all have noticed how 
interested young people are in science and how adept they are with 
technology. But something seems to happen to divert this enthusiasm of 
childhood, because we are all aware of the truly tragic state of 
science education in America. We need to correct this.

"The success of science depends on an influx of new, young people into
every field. That's just not happening today. We are working to 
correct that. We are working on initiatives to support teacher 
training at our labs and I want to commend the fine progress you are 
making here at Princeton.  Certainly an exciting new initiative in 
fusion energy will help motivate more students to pursue careers in 
science."

CONCLUSION:

"The President has made a historic decision to take a major step 
toward realizing the promise of fusion energy. He is looking to the 
Department of Energy and to the genius, commitment, and the passion 
for excellence found in our national labs and universities to help 
achieve this goal.

"Make no mistake. This commitment represents a critical moment for 
fusion science. The initiative is now with us. We cannot control what 
the science will tell us. But we can seize this opportunity to push 
the bounds of research further and faster than anyone could have 
dreamed. The President is confident that we are up to this challenge."

Abraham's audience included former PPPL assistant director Rep. Rush 
Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), as well as observers 
from the European Union, Japan, Russia, Germany, Spain, France, the 
UK, Italy, Canada, and China.  Holt applauded the decision to rejoin 
ITER, but warned "against diverting current domestic funding for 
fusion to ITER....  For fusion to meet its great promise, the U.S. 
must make sure to invest as much in its domestic research as it does 
in ITER."

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Audrey T. Leath
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi{at}aip.org
(301) 209-3094
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