The Honorable Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D. Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1401 Constitution Ave NW, Room 5128 Washington, D.C. 20230 December 7, 2015 Dear Dr. Sullivan: As scientists and technical experts, we thank you for standing up for scientific integrity and independent research by refusing to disclose National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists' internal deliberations to House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith. We know Chairman Smith's subpoena for the correspondence of NOAA scientists involved with a peer-reviewed paper in Science is not about data access or seeking to learn more about the study. We are aware that NOAA scientists already met several times with committee staff to provide all data and methodology related to this work and answer numerous questions about the research. As you know, these actions can create a chilling effect on both federal scientists and any other scientist with whom they collaborate or correspond. We urge you to continue to stand firm against these bullying tactics in order to protect NOAA scientists' ability to pursue research and publish data and results regardless of how contentious the issue may be. Please continue to resist this dangerous abuse of congressional oversight power. Sincerely, The undersigned (587 signatories) CC: Chairman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, Secretary Penny Pritzker
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The Honorable Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D.
Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Ave NW, Room 5128
Washington, D.C. 20230
December 7, 2015
Dear Dr. Sullivan:
As scientists and technical experts, we thank you for standing up for scientific integrity and
independent research by refusing to disclose National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) scientists' internal deliberations to House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith.
We know Chairman Smith's subpoena for the correspondence of NOAA scientists involved with
a peer-reviewed paper in Science is not about data access or seeking to learn more about the
study. We are aware that NOAA scientists already met several times with committee staff to
provide all data and methodology related to this work and answer numerous questions about the
research.
As you know, these actions can create a chilling effect on both federal scientists and any other
scientist with whom they collaborate or correspond. We urge you to continue to stand firm
against these bullying tactics in order to protect NOAA scientists' ability to pursue research and
publish data and results regardless of how contentious the issue may be.
Please continue to resist this dangerous abuse of congressional oversight power.
Sincerely,
The undersigned (587 signatories)
CC: Chairman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, Secretary Penny Pritzker
Guy Almes
Ph.D., Computer Science
College Sta, TX 77845-1939
Our political leaders don't always appreciate the great attention to
unbiased peer review etc. that NOAA, NSF, DoE, and the other
research agencies exhibit. Hang in there.
David Althoff
Ph.D., Ecology
Manlius, NY 13104-1406
Thank you for your stance on this issue. I know that the agency is
under tremendous pressure right now. The issue is extremely
important to continuing the integrity of science and I fully agree
with your position.
Thomas Baldwin
Ph.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Danvers, MA 01923-2105
Stand fast for what is right.
Bryan Bennett
B.S., Engineering
Kennesaw, GA 30144-1550
This denialism of strong scientific evidence for global climate
change and its human causes is unacceptable and morally
reprehensible.
William Blair
Ph.D., Physical Science
Towson, MD 21286-8220
Thank you for holding the line and helping to protect an
independent scientific capability for our country.
Jo Ellen Brandmeyer
Ph.D., Engineering
Chapel Hill, NC 27516-7767
I understand that the journal articles your scientists and engineers
publish go through rigorous, candid, and thoughtful review both
within your Agency and via the peer review process. Keep the
politics out of the scientific publication process.
Sandra Carroll
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Reno, NV 89509-6904
Thank you for your courage and integrity.
Harry Cleaver
Ph.D., Economics
Austin, TX 78704-1530
It takes courage to stand against repression.
John Comella
Ph.D., Astronomy
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1433
It isn't fun but we need your strong support to stop deniers from
impeding scinetific progress.
John Cooper
Ph.D., Chemistry
Lewisburg, PA 17837-1436
Science is about the quest for truth, a quest that demagogues and
power-junkies seek to suppress and malign. Help keep the practice
open and above board, free from the influences of those who would
prevent or pervert it.
John Crusius
Ph.D., Earth Sciences
Seattle, WA 98115-7034
Be strong-- we support you 100%.
Mick Degraeve
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Traverse City, MI 49686-3458
I am an environmental scientist who believes that we, as
professionals in the field, have an environmental stewardship
responsibility. So I applaud NOAA's scientists and you for standing
up to this kind of harassment. Thank you.
Willem Dickhoff
Ph.D., Physical Science
Saint Louis, MO 63108-2643
Keep up the good work and don't bow for bullies.
Leslie Duram
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Carbondale, IL 62901-2110
Thanks for all your work in promoting science. I hope we can all
work together to keep science out of politics in the future.
Stephen Eittreim
Ph.D., Earth Sciences
Palo Alto, CA 94303-3112
I know you are helping all science in our nation's national labs from
becoming dominated by political agendas by your standing up for
the science done by your agency. As a retired USGS marine
geologist, I am acutely aware of these dangers.
David Fenner
Ph.D., Physical Science
Westford, MA 01886-2001
Those of us who are engaged in careers of research and science
greatly appreciate your defense of independent integrity. Science
can not function without independence to seek truth wherever it
may lead.
H. Kenneth Fisher
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1836
The word science means Truth. Too bad Rep Lamar Smith doesn't
care for it.
Kathryn Florio
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Sioux Falls, SD 57103-4654
The Dark Ages seem to have returned. Please remain strong; we've
got your back.
Margaret Goodman
M.S., Mathematics
Glen Mills, PA 19342-1734
Thank you for speaking truth to power.
Paul Gregg
M.S., Engineering
Seymour, WI 54165-9106
You are a great bunch of people with a very important mission.
Research is always the key to progress.
Andrew Hamilton
Ph.D., Agriculture
W Sacramento, CA 95691-5471
The only way scientists like us will ever be able to help the public
is if we stand firm against those in power with conflicts of interest.
Thank you for standing firm.
James Harris
Ph.D., Engineering
Stanford, CA 94305-1013
Stand firm. The good news about the intensity of the attacks is to
know that they are making a difference, otherwise these anti-
science Zealots would ignore you.
John Hayes
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Salem, MA 01970-4645
I am a physical geographer climatologist and thank you for
standing up for NOAA climate scientists.
Donald Henderson
Ph.D., Physical Science
Ithaca, NY 14850-9641
Please continue to "hold the line" on the defense of peer reviewed
science. It is the only legitimate path forward.
Jim Hendrickson
M.S., Biology
Mableton, GA 30126-2316
Keep up the good fight. Truth will win the day.
Karen Jacques
Ph.D., Clinical psychology
Sacramento, CA 95811-7105
Thank-you for continuing to provide accurate information in the
face of political arrogance and bullying. It is sad that we live in a
country where so many of our lawmakers deliberately choose to
ignore science and the public good.
Paul Johnson
M.A., Engineering
New York, NY 10027-4304
I wish you all the best in your efforts to fight for science integrity.
David Kerlick
Ph.D., Physical Science
Seattle, WA 98126-3148
Thanks for resisting an attack on all science.
Vinnedge Lawrence
Ph.D., Biology
West Baldwin, ME 04091-3002
When politics trumps science we all lose.
James Lazell
Ph.D., Biology
Jackson, MS 39202-2134
I am a professional conservation biologist. Mr. Smith is nowhere
near your peer.
William Lewis
M.S., Engineering
Aurora, CO 80013-2517
Your bravery and steadfastness in the face of these nonsense
notions is greatly appreciated by so many people - I heartily thank
you for your stance.
Jim Long
Ph.D., Physical Science
Accokeek, MD 20607-3515
As a retired U.S. government scientist, I especially want to express
my admiration of NOAA for standing strongly against this attempt
to harass its scientists.
Wilfred Mackey
M.S., Engineering
Huntington, NY 11743-5704
Keep on fighting.
Sandra Mcdonald
Ph.D., Biology
Hampton, VA 23669-4638
Thanks for supporting science.
Howard Mead
M.S., Computer Science
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077-2308
Science should be politically neutral. Global warming issues are
not to be a foot ball.
Chris Measures
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Honolulu, HI 96816-3417
History shows that the countries that have free and unfettered
science are the ones who make the most progress and the
discoveries, which their citizens benefit from. Good for you for
standing up to this form of intimidation.
James Mills
Ph.D., Earth Sciences
Reelsville, IN 46171
Dear Dr. Sullivan, Again, thank you for all of your efforts to
protect the integrity of the scientists and the scientific process that
Chairman Lamar Smith seems so determined to tear down.
David Mitchell
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Reno, NV 89503-1897
I am a climate scientist working on the representation of ice clouds
in climate models. Thank you for holding the line.
Ulrike Munderloh
Ph.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Roseville, MN 55113-6149
I am a scientist engaged in biomedical research, and I thus know
first-hand the importance of incorruptible scientific integrity. I am
impressed and grateful for your courage to resist unethical political
bullies. Thanks so much.
Jim Neal
M.S., Ecology
Nacogdoches, TX 75961-8998
Thank you for the great work you are doing.
Robert Newsom
Ph.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Madison, WI 53726-2336
thank you for standing strong.
Bryan Ney
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Malibu, CA 90265-5615
Don't allow yourself to be bullied.
Kenneth Nollett
Ph.D., Physical Science
San Diego, CA 92116-4339
Thank you for standing up against the bullying and maintaining
NOAA's ability to recruit the best scientists and keep them free to
do the best science.
Martha Nungesser
Ph.D., Environmental Science
Lake Worth, FL 33460-3031
I support and value the work of NOAA very much. It is essential
work you all do.
Mary Platter-Rieger
M.S., Biology
San Diego, CA 92105-5130
I greatly appreciate your standing firm against bullying scientists;
please keep it up.
Greg Quetin
M.S., Earth Sciences
Seattle, WA 98115-6025
Thank you for standing by the science and scientists.
Resa Raven
Ph.D., Psychology
Olympia, WA 98502-2607
Don't let them bully you.
William Rizer
M.S., Earth Sciences
Carlton, OR 97111-9521
Thank you for your scientific integrity. Ignore the attacks from
those with political agendas.
Gregory Rosasco
Ph.D., Physical Science
Holiday, FL 34690-2945
There was a time that the American people valued what science has
to offer. As a former government scientist I admire your courage in
standing up to this.
Sam Rushforth
Ph.D., Ecology
Orem, UT 84097-4300
Thanks a million. NOAA is crucial for the future of Earth.
Donna Schroeder
Ph.D., Biology
Duluth, MN 55811-2370
Keep up the good work.
Jack Sites
Ph.D., Biology
Orem, UT 84058-5469
Thank you Dr. Sullivan, for holding firm on this. Please "stand
your ground" and defend the integrity of science and the people
who carry it out.
Peter Smith
M.S., Engineering
Santa Fe, NM 87506-9517
Please do not let climate science deniers bully scientists.
Nicholas Snow
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Millwood, VA 22646-0320
As a physician, it is important to face the facts. NOAA and your
scientists do this everyday. Thank you.
Lawrence Thompson
Ph.D., Biology
Livermore, CA 94550-8134
The behavior of some members of Congress, who don't respect how
science works, is utterly disgusting and unethical.
Jenny Walker
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
New York, NY 10026-2883
Thank you for not allowing the bullies to silence you. Perhaps,
Chairman Smith needs to report on his "alternative evidence" and
the science behind it.
John Walter
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Keene, NH 03431-2155
Hang in there.
Karen Ward
M.S., Agriculture
Moscow, ID 83843-7464
Thank you, Dr. Sullivan. I am very frustrated by the climate
deniers, but I'm not in a position to influence things very much and
I appreciate the efforts of those who are.
Robert Weggel
M.S. candidate, Mathematics
Reading, MA 01867-3940
It's appalling that Congress interfere with the pursuit and
dissemination of scientific truth.
Faith Weidner
M.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Simsbury, CT 06070-2515
Thank you for your courage.
Stephen Weitz
Ph.D., Medicine/Medical Research
Oakland, CA 94619-3203
We love science. We love your dedication.
Heather Whitney Price
Ph.D., Neurobiology
Greenbelt, MD 20770-2967
Chairman Smith's actions are reminiscent of Sen. McCarthy's witch
hunts.
Jeremy Winick
Ph.D., Chemistry, Physics
Westminster, CO 80031-5130
I was a post doc at a NOAA laboratory in 1980, and then a career
scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory and have always
admired the integrity and non combative way NOAA scientists
presented themselves and their work. Keep supporting them.
Robert Zimmerman
Ph.D., Public Health
Tahoe City, CA 96145-6505
Its challenging enough finding excellent scientists to work in the
government these days. Thank you for supporting those who do,