[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1447-E1448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NASA GLENN: A REGIONAL ECONOMIC ENGINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM SAWYER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, Northeast Ohio is home to an outstanding 
NASA Agency Center bearing the name of one of our nation's true heroes, 
and our former colleague from the other body, John H. Glenn.
  Just as John Glenn was a leader in space exploration, the NASA Glenn 
Research Center is a leader in aeronautics, space transportation, 
spacecraft technology, materials science, and even microgravity 
research.
  NASA Glenn is an integral part of the NASA mission. But while it 
serves a national mission, it also serves as an incubator for 
industries and ideas throughout the Cleveland-Akron region and the 
state. The Greater Cleveland Growth Association estimates that the 
annual statewide spin-off from NASA Glenn comes in at nearly $1 billion 
and 12,000 jobs.
  In my district, one of the results has been more than 30 grants to 
the University of Akron, which is itself a national leader in polymer 
science and engineering. Polymer technology, including nanopolymer 
technology which builds advanced materials at a molecular level, holds 
great promise for NASA programs.

[[Page E1448]]

  From environmentally friendly batteries to vehicle components made 
from strong, lightweight nanopolymers, there are exciting concepts 
under development in Ohio. Many of them no doubt will be incorporated 
into NASA's aeronautics and space programs of tomorrow, thanks to the 
energy and vision of the NASA Glenn Research Center. Just as important 
will be the application of these technologies outside of NASA, through 
its technology transfer function.
  We know that creative scientists can invent important technologies 
and devices when they are charged with a specific goal, such as sending 
an astronaut to the moon. But I am awed by the following statistic: The 
NASA Glenn staff have won more of R&D Magazine's R&D 100 awards than 
the staff of all other NASA agency centers combined. I cannot tell you 
why there is that much excellence at NASA Glenn. But I can tell you 
that there are very good things happening in Ohio, and they hold 
enormous importance for us in ways that perhaps neither the scientists 
nor we can predict.
  The action by the Subcommittee, and particularly my good friend, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), will be of great assistance to keep 
NASA Glenn and Ohio on this course set for excellence.

                          ____________________