HJ0082 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0082 LRB095 15649 JAM 41653 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the nation's premier particle accelerator laboratory, leads United States research into the fundamental nature of matter and energy; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Fermilab's researchers and facilities achieved results judged by the American Institute of Physics as among the Ten Top Physics Stories from around the world; and

WHEREAS, Particle accelerators at Fermilab provide unparalleled scientific research opportunities for thousands of scientists and students from throughout the State of Illinois, the nation, and the world; and

WHEREAS, Fermilab scientists have immediate opportunities for landmark discoveries at the energy frontier that will not be available again in the United States for many years to come; and

WHEREAS, The facilities at Fermilab are essential for the basic scientific research that nurtures technological and scientific advances and that fuels American innovation; and

WHEREAS, Advances in the technology of particle accelerators produce significant benefits not only to basic science but to health care, medical research, manufacturing, materials science, and the economy of the State of Illinois and the nation; and

WHEREAS, The budget for FY2008 approved by Congress and signed by the President dealt a severe blow to the United States Office of Science's High-Energy Physics program, which received $94 million less than requested; and

WHEREAS, The FY2008 budget, which cuts $52 million from the President's FY2008 budget request of $372 million for Fermilab, could cripple the laboratory's ability to remain one of the world's preeminent research facilities; and

WHEREAS, The budget eliminates funding for the 2 programs most vitally linked to Fermilab's future, the NOvA neutrino experiment and the research and development program for the International Linear Collider; and

WHEREAS, A restoration of funding in basic physics research is essential to maintaining America's role as the innovator in technology, retaining our nation's leading scientific institutions and their skilled workforces, and providing opportunities for future scientists; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United States Congress to enact, and the President to approve, a supplemental appropriation to restore the funding to Fermilab to the level of the President's FY2008 budget request; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to increase the funding request for the Office of Science, particularly for the High-Energy Physics program, in the President's FY2009 budget; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.