[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 598 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 598

   Supporting the designation of National Robotics Week as an annual 
                                 event.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 27, 2012

   Mr. Doyle (for himself and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, 
 Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education 
 and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Supporting the designation of National Robotics Week as an annual 
                                 event.

Whereas the United States has the largest number of academic and research 
        organizations with dedicated programs focused on the advancement of 
        robotics technology;
Whereas robotics has matured into an all-encompassing and enabling technology 
        that, as a pillar of 21st-century American innovation, is positioned to 
        fuel a broad array of next generation products and applications, 
        transform our society, and become as ubiquitous over the next several 
        decades as desktop and mobile computing technology is today;
Whereas the emerging market for service robotics in various sectors, including 
        healthcare, national defense, homeland security, energy, manufacturing, 
        logistics, transportation, agriculture, education, consumer goods, and 
        others, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 
        20 percent over the next few years to become a worldwide $27 billion 
        industry;
Whereas robotics is a critical technology capable in the near term of 
        contributing to the economic recovery by creating new jobs, increasing 
        productivity, improving quality, and increasing worker safety, and 
        equally capable over time of addressing the longer term labor and 
        healthcare issues expected to result from the 40 percent increase in the 
        number of the Nation's elderly over the next 20 years;
Whereas robotics technology holds tremendous potential for reducing the cost of 
        healthcare delivery, stimulating the discovery and development of new 
        procedures and treatments for a wide variety of diseases and disorders, 
        improving the standard and accessibility of care, providing individuals 
        with disabilities, especially injured veterans, with greater 
        independence and dignity, and enhancing overall patient health outcomes;
Whereas robotics technology is proving essential to our national defense and 
        homeland security by enabling the ongoing development and fielding of 
        unmanned air, ground, and maritime systems that today help keep our 
        Nation's war-fighters and protectors out of harm's way, and in the long 
        run will serve as a highly effective force multiplier;
Whereas robotics is a key transformative technology that can revolutionize 
        American manufacturing by enabling small- and mid-sized companies to 
        cost effectively combine highly skilled workers and highly adaptable, 
        precise, and reliable equipment to create and make high value products 
        in high-stakes industries;
Whereas robotics is rapidly proving to be one of the most effective, compelling, 
        and engaging means for teaching and reinforcing fundamental science, 
        technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts as well as 
        inspiring the Nation's youth to pursue STEM-related careers thereby 
        helping to create a highly skilled, 21st-century American workforce;
Whereas America's ability to maintain its leadership position and be both 
        globally competitive and cooperative in a wide range of rapidly emerging 
        markets is being currently challenged by other regions, including the 
        European Union, Korea, and Japan, who have committed to making multi-
        billion dollar, long-term investments in further developing and 
        commercializing robotics technology;
Whereas there is a strong need to recognize America's leadership in robotics 
        technology, educate the public on robotics technology's broad potential, 
        growing importance, and future impact on American society, underscore 
        the need for increased investment in robotics technology research and 
        development, and inspire the Nation's youth to pursue careers in 
        robotics and other STEM-related fields; and
Whereas the second week in April each year is designated as ``National Robotics 
        Week'', recognizing the accomplishments of Isaac Asimov, who immigrated 
        to America, taught science, wrote science books for children and adults, 
        first used the term robotics, developed the Three Laws of Robotics, and 
        died in April 1992: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of National Robotics Week 
        (NRW) as an annual event;
            (2) encourages institutions of higher education and 
        companies which utilize robotics technology to hold open houses 
        during NRW to help explain the technology and its applications;
            (3) encourages science museums to organize events and 
        demonstrations during NRW that help to educate and engage the 
        public on the utility, importance, and impact of robotics 
        technology;
            (4) encourages schools, clubs, and organizations to hold 
        open houses, organize local competitions, and demonstrate 
        student activities relating to the field of robotics 
        technology;
            (5) encourages activities that advance the use of robotics 
        to revolutionize the way fundamental science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are taught in the 
        classroom and that highlight the success that robotics 
        competitions organized by groups such as For Inspiration and 
        Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) are having at 
        inspiring students to pursue STEM-related careers; and
            (6) affirms the growing importance of robotics technology 
        and supports all other efforts to increase national awareness 
        of the technology and its impact on the future of the Nation.
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