It's hard out there for a term-limited chariman. Forced by House rules to step down at the end of the year as chair of the science committee, Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R--NY) last week announced he would not run for a 13th term in November. He's the fifth Republican who has chosen to leave Congress instead of returning without a leadership post after reaching the 6-year limit. His retirement, coming in his 70th year and 2 years after he had successful heart bypass surgery, will also deprive science of one of its staunchest supporters.
"The scientific community will never know or appreciate the extent to which he has been their advocate," says Representative Vernon Ehlers (R--MI), a former college physics professor and a colleague on the committee. "He's been indefatigable in arguing and fighting for science." Ehlers would like to succeed Boehlert, if the Republicans retain control of the House this fall, but Representative Ralph Hall (R--TX) has the most seniority on the panel. Representative Bart Gordon (D--TN) has the inside track if the Democrats prevail in November.
