By unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate adopted a resolution yesterday designating 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry (IYC).

Senate Resolution 283 "recognizes the achievements made in the field of chemistry and the contributions of those achievements to the well-being of humankind...and provides solutions that successfully address global challenges involving safe food and water, alternate sources of energy, improved health and a healthy and sustainable environment."

"ACS deeply appreciates the U.S. Senate recognizing the importance of chemistry in meeting world needs, in supporting science, technology, engineering and math education, and in promoting economic growth and new jobs for our nation through scientific innovation," said ACS President Nancy B. Jackson, Ph.D. "ACS is honored the U.S. Senate has brought these issues to a national focus by designating 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry and encouraging the American public to participate in the many programs and activities being held nationwide."

The International Year of Chemistry resolution was sponsored by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).

"Chemistry has long been one of the fundamental scientific drivers of innovation," said Sen. Coons. "The Senate's passage of this resolution celebrates the work of chemists around the world to advance the well-being of humankind, and notes the critical contribution science plays to our society. The jobs of tomorrow are being formulated in the labs of today, which is why continued support of advanced research and innovation is so important. As the holder of a chemistry degree and having worked for years at a science-based manufacturing company, I was proud to have led the effort in the Senate to dedicate 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. I hope this designation encourages more students to choose careers in science and helps motivate the next generation of innovative chemists."

The resolution was co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Sen. Debbie Ann Stabenow (D-MI).

"This resolution supports the U.N.'s effort to educate children worldwide on the importance of chemistry," said Sen. Murkowski. "It also brings recognition to the extraordinary contributions to science by Marie Curie, on the 100th anniversary of her second Nobel Prize."

IYC 2011 is a global celebration of chemistry and its contributions to the world around us as officially designated by the United Nations. This worldwide initiative is being celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).

For more information about IYC activities, please visit:

• 365 Chemistry for Life - profiles of fun, fascinating, groundbreaking chemistry. www.acs.org/iyc2011
• Kids and adults can participate in the IYC Global Water Experiment - www.acs.org/water2011
• International chemistry events - www.chemistry2011.org/
  

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals, and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.