[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
Centennial Anniversary of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology in Gaithersburg, which will occur on March 3, 2001.
  NIST and its scientists, researchers, and other personnel have a 
tremendous list of accomplishments over the last 100 years. Through its 
support of industry and its development of critical technology 
measurements, standards, and applications, NIST has played a critical 
role in our Nation's technological advances and, indeed, has helped to 
revolutionize the U.S. economy.
  Initially founded as the National Bureau of Standards, NIST is our 
Nation's oldest Federal laboratory. In fact, the Institute's mission 
was first stated in the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. 
Constitution, making it as old as the Republic itself. The initial 
purpose of the Institute was to establish authoritative national 
standards of quantities and products. In its first three decades, NIST 
mainly served industries working to modernize by improving physical 
measurements, standards development, and testing methods. During this 
time, the Institute played an instrumental role in the creation of such 
critical 20th century innovations as the measurement of electricity, 
improvement of product assembly techniques, development of the aviation 
and automobile industry, and the creation of the radio.
  After aiding the military effort during World War II, the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology and its workforce helped to 
develop many of the scientific innovations that have enabled our modern 
economy to flourish. NIST was able to foster and improve measurements 
of temperature, force, time, and weights. These and other technical 
improvements enabled the U.S. space program, aviation and naval 
industries, and perhaps the most importantly, the computer industry to 
excel.
  In 1988, in part to emphasize its diverse range of activities, the 
National Bureau of Standards was renamed the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology. Today, the Institute continues to act as a 
behind-the-scenes specialist in the systems and operations that 
collectively drive the U.S. economy, including satellite, communication 
and transportation networks, and our laboratories, factories, 
hospitals, and businesses.
  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a 
number of individuals at the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology and I can personally attest to the high caliber, quality, 
and commitment of its workforce. NIST employs many of our Nation's most 
dedicated and talented scientists, as is evidenced by its legacy of a 
number of Nobel-Prize winners.
  More recently, I along with the rest of the Maryland delegation have 
worked with the Institute on a comprehensive ten year initiative to 
upgrade its laboratory infrastructure, which is expected to be 
completed by the year 2004. It is our hope that through this effort, 
with upgraded facilities, to match the quality of its personnel, NIST 
will be able to continue advancing the scientific and technological 
infrastructure of U.S. industry into the 21st Century.
  Again, we take great pride in the accomplishments of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, in the people that work there, 
and in having the Institute in Maryland. I commend NIST for its 100 
years of success and remarkable achievements and am confident that it 
will continue its remarkable track record of advancing science and 
technology for hundreds of years to come.

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