Passman Pays Tribute to Weizmann Institute; Says Israeli Scientists Play Major Role

Rep. Otto E. Passman, Democrat of La., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, called upon the U.S. Congress to increase support of scientific research and paid tribute to the Weizmann Institute of Science where he was made an Honorary Fellow. Prof. Sidney Goldstein of Harvard University, a distinguished mathematician, was also made an Honorary Fellow. In accepting the honor, Passman told the audience attending the ceremonies in Rehovot that “The Institution’s work is known throughout the world, not just the world of your fellow scientists, but by people of all walks of life.” He emphasized the need to harness scientific research to combat and to increase the world’s supply of sweet water and called for strict enforcement of anti-pollution laws and adequate funding for desalination research “in which great scientists of Israel have made much progress.”

Dr. Albert B. Sabin, president of the Weizmann Institute, who presided at the ceremonies, said that during Passman’s 25 years in Congress he has rendered distinguished service to the entire free world including Israel. Dr. Sabin praised Dr. Goldstein for his “outstanding contributions to the fields of applied mathematics, including aeronautical engineering.” Dr. Michael Feldman, Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School, attacked radical movements for hostility to science and technology, including those in the United States: “Their superficial slogan-ridden approach implies rejection of the very important foundation upon which scientific progress has been built in the past 50 years.” He called upon the world scientific community to embark upon a profound and candid discussion of “the dangers inherent in the new radical challenge to science and scientific research,” and proposed that Israel’s National Academy of Sciences and Humanities should take on the responsibility of initiating this discussion.