Thomas Jefferson is well known as a statesman, philosopher, and scientist. As technological and scientific capabilities have grown, it has become increasingly essential that the President is able to gather accurate information about those advances. The National Commission on the Presidency and Science Advising, assembled in 1989 and co-chaired by former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft and former President of Cornell University Dale R. Corson, proposed a strong system of science advising for the President.

The National Commission on the Presidency and Science Advising (1989)

Read the Commission's Final Report (Adobe Acrobat)

Co-Chairs:

Dr. Dale R. Corson, President of Cornell University, 1969-1977; Founding Chairman of Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable and the National Academy of Science and Engineering

General Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor, 1975-1977, 1989-1993 (President, The Scowcroft Group)

Commissioners:

Dr. Solomon J. Buchsbaum, Chairman, White House Science Council

Prof. Ashton Carter, Acting Director of the Center for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (Assistant Secretary of Defense, 1993-1996; Professor, Kennedy School)

Dr. John Deutsch, Provost, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Director of Central Intelligence, 1995-1996; Professor, MIT)

Dr. Denis J. Prager, Deputy Director, Health Program, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

John Walsh, Senior Science Writer, Science Magazine

Commission Director:

James S. Young, Miller Center Faculty and Bancroft Prize Winner, 1967