Education and Research Funding.

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Member Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Ranking Member Rep. Frank Lucas introduced the Strengthening MSI Competitiveness in Research and Innovation Act to diversify STEM education and workforce. The Act would allow historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s), tribal colleges and universities, and other universities designated as minority serving institutions (MSI) such as Alverno college increased access federal resources to expand research programs in order to help create a more diverse STEM workforce. The bill would also allow for those institutions to partner with other higher education institutions, including community colleges, to strengthen their research capacity. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is also a cosponsor of the legislation.

“America’s scientific progress is best served by encouraging a wide range of researchers from across the country, operating at diverse research institutions. But not every college and university has the same access to federal research grants. I’m proud to join Rep. Moore on this bill to ensure that Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities are given the resources they need to compete for federal grants. Langston University, an 1890s institution in my home district in Oklahoma, is a great example of why this bill is needed: they have a strong research focus and a pool of talented students and professionals but need assistance building up their capacity to perform that research and compete for federal grants. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this bill through Congress and give these universities the support they need to excel,” said Congressman Lucas.

A Champion for Farms and Ranches.

As Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Congressman Lucas has long been a champion of voluntary agriculture conservation programs. During the drafting of the 2002 Farm Bill, he worked to secure the largest ever increase in programs such as Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, and many others. In the 2008 Farm Bill, Lucas advocated for renewable energy provisions to be included in the farm bill which would allow rural areas to play a larger role in making the U.S. less dependent on foreign sources of energy. I am proud that the 2008 Farm Bill devotes a funding stream to renewable energy research, development, and production.

Frank has garnered recognition from various agriculture groups for his work in support of their concerns. The American Farm Bureau Federation has presented him with its “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for supporting Farm Bureau issues in Congress in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006. In both 2002 and 2003, the National Farmers Union recognized him with the “Presidential Award for Leadership” for issues important to rural America. NFU also recognized Frank with the “Golden Triangle Award”, which is given to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on issues affecting family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. In 2002 the Oklahoma Wheat Commission presented him with their “Staff of Life” award for voting in favor of wheat growers and farmers 100 percent of the time. And for two years running, the National Association of Wheat Growers named the congressman one of only 11 “Wheat Champion” Members of Congress for superior action in Congress in support of the wheat industry.