[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 161 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 161

Expressing the sense of the Senate that defense laboratories are on the 
     cutting-edge of scientific and technological advancement, and 
supporting the designation of May 18, 2017, as ``Department of Defense 
                           Laboratory Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 10, 2017

  Mr. Donnelly (for himself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Nelson, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate that defense laboratories are on the 
     cutting-edge of scientific and technological advancement, and 
supporting the designation of May 18, 2017, as ``Department of Defense 
                           Laboratory Day''.

Whereas the national network of laboratories and engineering centers that are 
        owned by the United States Armed Forces and funded by the Federal 
        Government and research and development centers that are owned by the 
        United States Armed Forces and funded by the Department of Defense 
        (referred to in this preamble as the ``defense laboratories'') should be 
        commended for the unique role that network has had in countless 
        innovations and advances in the areas of defense and national security;
Whereas technological progress is responsible for up to 50 percent of the growth 
        of the United States economy and is the principal driving force behind 
        long-term economic growth and increases in the standard of living in the 
        United States;
Whereas research and development supported by the Department of Defense has led 
        to new products and processes for state-of-the-art Armed Forces weapons 
        and technology;
Whereas defense laboratories frequently partner with State and local governments 
        and regional organizations to transfer technology to the private sector;
Whereas defense laboratories have earned prestigious national and international 
        awards for research and technology transfer efforts and lead the way in 
        cutting-edge science and technology;
Whereas the innovations that are produced at defense laboratories fuel economic 
        growth by creating new industries, companies, and jobs;
Whereas, since the global leadership and national security of the United States 
        is dependent on innovation and new industries, the work of the national 
        network of defense laboratories is essential to the continued prosperity 
        of the United States; and
Whereas May 18, 2017, is an appropriate day to designate as ``Department of 
        Defense Laboratory Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of the ``Department of Defense 
        Laboratory Day'' in celebration of all of the work and 
        accomplishments of the national network of laboratories and 
        engineering centers that are owned by the United States Armed 
        Forces and funded by the Federal Government and research and 
        development centers that are owned by the United States Armed 
        Forces and funded by the Department of Defense (referred to in 
        this resolution as the ``defense laboratories'');
            (2) recognizes that a key to maintaining United States 
        Armed Forces superiority, innovation, and competitiveness in a 
        global economy is to continue to support federally sponsored 
        research and development;
            (3) acknowledges that the knowledge base, technologies, and 
        techniques generated in the national network of defense 
        laboratories serve as a foundation for additional efforts 
        relating to the Armed Forces in the defense industrial base;
            (4) commits to find ways to increase investment in the 
        national network of defense laboratories in order to increase 
        support of federally sponsored research and development 
        critical to the national security interests of the United 
        States;
            (5) encourages defense laboratories, Federal agencies, and 
        Congress to hold an outreach event on May 18, 2017, 
        ``Department of Defense Laboratory Day'', to make the public 
        more aware of the work of the national network of defense 
        laboratories; and
            (6) recognizes the outstanding dedication, qualifications, 
        service, and accomplishments of the scientists, technicians, 
        and support staff of the defense laboratories.
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