Dear Friend,

I am sure I do not have to tell you that during the past decade science in the
United States saw some very rough days, The public image of science worsened, funds
for scientific research were limited, misadministered, and at times misdirected, and
the channels of communication between the Scientific community and the rest of the
country deteriorated,

We would be less than frank if we did not admit that some of the blame for this must
be laid on us, scientists. But much of it rests outside our community. Neither the
executive or the legislative branches of the government, nor the news media have taken
the trouble to attempt to understand the functions and needs of science in a modern
society and to formulate policies accordingly,

In other words, "science policy" in the United States did not exist. In a way this
was beneficial to science as long as, even in the absence of a formal policy, there was
a tacit feeling that science is worthy of support. “hen, however, this feeling, based
on flimsy and often mistaken considerations, began to falter, the absence of a "science
policy", that is, the lack of an articulate and reasoned public attitude toward science,
began to hurt,

One of the glaring voids in this situation has been the absence of a national. leader
who could and would articulate such an attitude, or at least could stimulate public
awareness in the direction of forming such an attitude. Fortunately, there is now
a possibility of filling this void, In the person of Henry Jackson, we have a candidate
who has all the qualifications to act as a leader concerned with and aware of science.
His prodigious expertise in a broad range of fields, including matters pertaining to
science and technology, is public knowledge, and he also has the positive and progressive
outlook on life which is needed to sustain sophisticated activities like scientific
research,

Jackson's platform on scientific matters is now in the process of being formulated.
Input and help from the scientific community itself would greatly contribute to the
forging of a stand on these issues which is realistic and attractive, I wonder, there-
fore, whether you have an inclination to aid this process. At the moment I am primarily
engaged in gathering a roster of those who would be interested to help, together with
the special areas of expertise they have and the extent to which they would be willing
to commit their time on possible advisory committees or other collective bodies,

‘Beside the registering of such an interest, brief "position sketches" would also be
of interest. A sketch consists of not more than 2-3 double spaced, typed pages, on which,
in a very concise style, a scientific issue is outlined, giving its background, status,
and proposed resolution, together with references to some documentation. Any such
position sketch, sent to me, will find its way to Jzckson's office for further action,

An improvemen: in the status of US science will not cone by itself. te, scientists,
must take an aciive part in this process of reconstruction, It appears that a very pro-
mising channel .or such activity is available through the steps outlined in this letter,
I hope, therefore, that I will hear from you soon, Please do not hesitate to phone me
for further information, at (503) 686-5207 (daytime) or (503) 34-1137 (evenings).
Looking forward to your response,
inferely
ers uwua cf
Michael Vloravesix
(InstituteYof Theoretical Science,
University of Oregon, Zugene,
For identification purposes only. Oregon, 974,03)