search functions, long-term, and program research and how EPA 

 can create incentives to attract and nurture a sufficient number of 

 highly qualified scientists. 



The House, under the leadership of Chairman Brown and Con- 

 gressman Valentine, have passed a bill substantially similar to S. 

 1545. It is my hope that we can move forward to reauthorize this 

 legislation for the first time in 13 years. 



Senator Reid. I am going to call upon the other members of the 

 committee, but first I want to welcome Chairman Brown and Con- 

 gressman Valentine. We are sorry to see that you are going to 

 leave, Tim. You and I came together. You have been a good friend, 

 as has been Chairman Brown. We are very grateful for your leader- 

 ship in this legislation. 



Senator Baucus, do you have a statement? 



OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MAX BAUCUS, U.S. SENATOR 

 FROM THE STATE OF MONTANA 



Senator Baucus. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I appreciate your holding this hearing. It is an extremely impor- 

 tant hearing. 



I also want, at the outset, to commend our colleagues from the 

 other body. Chairman Brown has always been a leader in scientific 

 issues. I have always admired Chairman Brown's work for many, 

 many years. I always take note of what he has to say because when 

 it comes to science, he is on target. The same with Congressman 

 Valentine. I haven't known him quite as long as I have known the 

 chairman, but I do know that his work, too, has been Very helpful. 

 I appreciate both of them. 



Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you, too. You have provided 

 tremendous leadership on environmental research and development 

 generally, and particularly with respect to issues before this com- 

 mittee and EPA. I think everyone in Nevada should be very proud 

 of your efforts, as well as the others in the country. 



The last time Congress passed this bill was in 1981. So this legis- 

 lation is long overdue. Given the historic nature of this session, the 

 passage of the bill would be a tall order, especially if it becomes 

 bogged down with contentious amendments. But nevertheless, I 

 think this bill is extremely important, and I will help to get it 

 passed this year. 



Senator Reid. If the gentleman would yield, I am going to go vote 

 so that we don't hold up the House members. Please take the Chair 

 until I get back. 



Senator BAUCUS [assuming the chair]. It focuses attention on 

 many critical issues, including the national human exposure as- 

 sessment survey, research on pesticides, environmental monitoring, 

 health and ecological risk. 



I cannot stress enough the importance of high quality research. 

 It provides a sound, scientific basis on which to make effective en- 

 vironmental policy. Science issues are an important part of our de- 

 bate. 



The Senate, for example, considered the Safe Drinking Water Act 

 earlier this year. Issues such as risk assessment, health effects, ex- 

 posure were central issues of the debate. It helped us focus on the 

 right contaminant. It is an extremely important issue. A good ex- 



