Vernon James “Vern” Ehlers, the first research physicist elected to Congress and a good friend for many years, passed away on August 15 at his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 83. Vern served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan’s 3rd District from 1993 until his retirement in 2010. He was a tireless advocate for federal science programs, often breaking with his party to defend budgets for research agencies and environmental protections.
Vern earned his bachelor’s in physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1956 after transferring from Calvin College in Grand Rapids. He earned his doctorate, also from UC Berkeley, in nuclear physics four years later. He began his research career at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, before returning to Calvin College as a faculty member in 1966. During that time he served on the Grand Rapids county commission, as well as a science advisor for Gerald Ford, who was then U.S. House minority leader from Michigan, before becoming president.
In 1983, Vern left his teaching position at Calvin, winning a seat in the Michigan state House of Representatives, and later the Michigan state Senate, a position he held until 1993. That year he won a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Paul Henry, who died in office. Vern became a ranking member of the House subcommittee on research and science education, as well as co-chair of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education caucus.
Vern worked to educate his fellow representatives on scientific issues, once stating, “You can grumble all you want about those idiots in the Congress. But if you’re not helping to educate the idiots, you’re not doing your job.” He vigorously defended the budgets for federal science agencies, the National Science Foundation (NSF), in particular, and was a vocal proponent in the Republican Party for addressing the realities of climate change. He also helped to modernize Congress’s email system, led a comprehensive review of federal science policy, and successfully sponsored multiple bills to improve the protection of the Great Lakes.
Vernon Ehlers, right, taught in the physics department at Calvin College for 17 years.
Vern also paved the way for two other physics Ph.D.s to enter Congress: Rush Holt, former Democratic representative from New Jersey, now CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Bill Foster, a Democrat who holds a seat in the House representing Illinois’ 11th District. During their years in Congress together they were colloquially referred to as the bipartisan physics caucus.
I had the pleasure of testifying in many authorization hearings before Vern, who was a member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, which had oversight over the NSF and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. His comments and questions were invariably thoughtful and constructive, in sharp contrast to the behavior of others. Before the beginning of a hearing, it is a common courtesy for a witness, particularly an agency head or other federal official, to greet members, shake hands and exchange friendly comments. Often members would make their opening remarks and leave before hearing the witnesses. I don’t ever recall Vern doing that. In fact, he often would walk over to greet witnesses following the session to thank them for their participation. It was a small gesture, perhaps, but it exemplified his humanity and integrity. One such an occasion — a hearing on October 8, 2009, titled “Investing in High-Risk, High-Reward Research,” which focused on transformational research — was my last opportunity to talk with him.
Vern was a preeminent example of a “civic scientist” who dedicated his life to education and public service, first as an academic researcher and later as a member of Congress. He encouraged other scientists to make their voices heard, either by contacting their representatives, serving as advisors, working in federal agencies, and even running for office. Most importantly, he understood that, even in the face of looming budget cuts and increasingly partisan divides, federal support of science and policymaking based on science are indispensable. His voice in Congress is sorely missed.
Neal F. Lane, Ph.D., is the senior fellow in science and technology policy at the Baker Institute. He is also the Professor of Physics and Astronomy Emeritus at Rice University. Previously, Lane served in the federal government as assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from August 1998 to January 2001, and he served as director of the National Science Foundation and member (ex officio) of the National Science Board from October 1993 to August 1998. Before his post with NSF, Lane was provost and professor of physics at Rice, a position he had held since 1986.