In an era of budget surpluses, zero annual deficits and the annual pay-down of the national debt, "my hope is that Congress will continue to make basic research a priority," U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh (R.-N.Y.) told a national meeting of physics researchers at Cornell University last week.

The central New York congressman, whose district includes Onondaga and Cortland counties, had just been presented with the "Champions of Science" award by Cornell Provost Don M. Randel. Recipients of the award are chosen by the Science Coalition, an alliance of more than 400 organizations and individuals, including companies, medical groups, universities, scientific societies and Nobel laureates. The award to Walsh, who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on veterans affairs, housing and urban development and independent agencies, recognizes the leadership of the United States in the sciences and engineering.

The award, Randel said, "seeks to advance and strengthen the federal government's investment in university-based research." Previous recipients have included U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and U.S. Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R.-Mich.), vice chair of the House Science Committee.

Walsh accepted the award near the conclusion of a symposium to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring and the associated research facilities. The event was organized by the collider's operator, the Cornell Laboratory of Nuclear Studies, and by the Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source.

As chairman of the subcommittee, the congressman has spending oversight responsibility for NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency, among other agencies. Walsh noted that although he will continue to support annual increases in scientific research, NASA and the NSF must compete for funds with social needs, particularly veterans' benefits, health care and public housing programs.