[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ISSUE OF NASA TECH BRIEFS

                                 ______


                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 1994

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee, I want to recognize Associated Business 
Publications and offer my congratulations on the anniversary of its 10-
year partnership with NASA and the publication of its 100th issue of 
NASA Tech Briefs.
  Most of us recognize that technology is the key to economic growth, 
creating jobs, building new industries, and improving our standard of 
living.
  How can we encourage the development of new technologies? By building 
a partnership between government and industry, labor, and academia. 
Fortunately, there is an excellent example of this public-private 
partnership taking place today which I would like to call to your 
attention.
  Ten years ago, NASA was looking for a way to improve its ability to 
transfer technology to the American public and save money. Associated 
Business Publications answered the call. Together, ABP and NASA joined 
forces to publish NASA Tech Briefs at no cost to the American taxpayer.
  Since 1985, ABP has increased the circulation of NASA Tech Briefs by 
173 percent, making it one of the largest engineering magazines in the 
world. Translating the language of research into the speech of the 
marketplace, ABP was streamlining a government process long before the 
call for reinventing government was ever sounded.
  This successful joint venture between government and small business 
is one way in which NASA is meeting its mandate to transmit 
technological innovations to the American public. ABP has saved 
taxpayers over $12 million in paper, printing, and postage costs.
  Each issue contains briefs describing practical and commercially 
promising new ideas developed under NASA's auspices. This year alone, 
NASA/ABP expect to circulate over 1,000 briefs. Over the past 10 years, 
nearly 7,500 innovations have been featured in these issues.
  Readers who are interested in a specific subject request a detailed 
technical support package. ABP and NASA receive thousands of comments 
annually from readers detailing how they have used ideas in the 
magazine to solve problems, save time and money, develop new or 
improved products, and create new jobs.
  For most people, space technology seems about as removed from our 
lives as astronauts walking on the Moon. But in reality, average 
Americans can--and do--derive priceless benefits from inventions 
designed for use in aeronautics and space projects. Studies have shown 
that for every $1 spent on NASA research and development, $8 are 
returned to the U.S. economy. NASA Tech Briefs is one important medium 
that helps to spread the word about technology available from NASA to 
the private sector.
  Mr. Speaker, there are many examples that demonstrate how NASA 
technology is relevant to the lives of all Americans. I would like to 
share just a few of these examples with you.
  Cool vest: For those suffering from multiple sclerosis, the slightest 
rise in body temperature can exacerbate fatigue and poor coordination. 
But thanks to a new cooling vest originally designed for NASA 
astronauts and recently highlighted in NASA Tech Briefs, those with 
multiple sclerosis are finding new relief.
  Heart equipment: A man suffering from a coronary artery problem 
learned in the March 1992 issue of NASA Tech Briefs about a new NASA-
derived laser angioplasty technology available for the treatment of his 
condition. On June 3, 1992, he became the seventh patient to 
successfully undergo the surgery.
  Arm prosthetics: While working in Africa, Sandra Rossi lost her hand 
in a crocodile attack. Rossi sought help from NASA after her father 
read in NASA Tech Briefs about the prosthesis work underway at Marshall 
Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Fourroux Orthotics and 
Prosthetics of Huntsville fitted Rossi's replacement hand with a socket 
that allows her to connect five simple but practical arm attachments. 
The arm attachments, which allow her to pick up tiny objects, were made 
with surplus materials from Marshall Space Flight Center's model shop.
  Associated Business Publications has a proven record in the field of 
technology transfer. Its relationship with NASA provides a paradigm 
which other Federal agencies should consider adopting to ensure 
efficiency and success in all our work. We must always strongly 
encourage government-to-industry cooperation, and we must applaud the 
people at Associated Business Publications on a job well done. America 
needs more efforts like those of ABP to turn our goals into reality.

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