Wolf to be honored for science & tech work

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., will be honored with an award for contributions in science, engineering and technology.

Wolf will receive the 2006 George E. Brown Jr. Award for his leadership in the field on March 28 during the reception for Congressional Visits Day.

The award, named for the Democratic representative from California, is given to congressional champions of policy and federal investment in science, engineering and technology.

Most notably, Wolf chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, Commerce and related agencies, which has appropriations jurisdiction over NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Wolf has also been an advocate for increasing innovation spending. He urged the Bush administration to triple the innovation budget for basic research and development in May 2005, which now has become a salient issue for keeping America's lead in the field.

Past recipients of the award include Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn.; Bill Frist, R-Tenn.; and John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Last year's winner was Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich.

Congressional Visits Day is a two-day event during which a range of professionals from scientists, engineers, researchers, educators and technology executives are invited to Washington to raise awareness and garner support for ongoing issues and projects.