Natural Science Collections Alliance

Our members are part of an international community of museums, botanical gardens, herbariums, universities and other institutions that house natural science collections and utilize them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.

Champion of Science to Retire from Congress

By NSCAPosted on Posted in News & Updates

U.S. Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) announced on February 18, 2014 that he would be retiring at the end of his current term.  Holt has served in Congress since 1998.  He is one of a handful of scientists in Congress.  Holt has a Ph.D. in Physics and is a former professor at Swarthmore College.

“There is no hidden motive for my decision,” Holt, 65, said in a statement Tuesday.  “As friends who have worked with me know, I have never thought that the primary purpose of my work was re-election and I have never intended to make service in the House my entire career.  For a variety of reasons, personal and professional, all of them positive and optimistic, the end of this year seems to me to be the right time to step aside and ask the voters to select the next representative.”

Congressman Holt has championed research and science education.  His is currently the sponsor of a resolution in recognition of Darwin Day, which celebrates the birthday and scientific accomplishments of Charles Darwin.  In 2006, the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) recognized Holt with their BESC Award; NSC Alliance is a member of the coalition.

Champion of Science to Retire from Congress
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