[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2520-E2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL LABORATORIES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that 
will allow our National Laboratories to more effectively perform their 
missions while also promoting economic development in the communities 
that surround the facilities. Specifically, this bill creates a win/win 
scenario for both the National Laboratories and the adjoining 
communities. The National Laboratories will advance their missions by 
benefiting from the cutting edge technology possessed by universities 
and companies near them and the community benefits from the creation of 
needed high quality infrastructure that will boost innovation and 
create job growth.
  In recognizing the potential of involving the national laboratories 
in technical collaborations with institutions in their surrounding 
communities, Congress has in the past encouraged cooperative research 
and development agreements (known as ``CRADAs''). This legislation 
builds upon the success of the collaborations.
  Specifically, this bill will: Create an advocate for small business 
at each national laboratory who will focus on increasing the 
involvement of small businesses in the national laboratory's 
procurement and collaborative research; create a technology partnership 
ombudsman at each laboratory who will guarantee that the national 
laboratory remains a good partner; allow the Department of Energy to 
use more flexible contracting authority; and streamline current process 
concerning the cooperative research and development agreements; to make 
these agreements more appealing to technical organizations, such as 
companies and universities.
  I have a national laboratory in the district that I represent, Los 
Alamos National Laboratory. As with other national laboratories, the 
Los Alamos National Laboratory has a very important relationship with 
the people in the surrounding communities and the region. As I am sure 
with all communities that surround our national laboratories, there is 
a need for greater economic prosperity. This bill creates a long term 
solution to this problem. Besides assisting the national laboratories 
in fulfilling their missions, this bill also lays the foundation to 
create high paying jobs that will directly benefit our communities.
  This is a companion measure to a bill introduced in the other chamber 
by Senator Jeff Bingaman from New Mexico. This is an initiative that he 
has pursued for many years and I would like to recognize him for this 
effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this worthy legislation.

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