[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15056-S15057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TECHLINK--MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today I commend TechLink, a 
technology transfer center at Montana State University, for its 
outstanding achievements. TechLink has been highly successful at 
helping both the Department

[[Page S15057]]

of Defense and NASA to develop, transfer, and commercialize new 
technology in partnership with industry.
  Congress first appropriated funds in 1996 to establish TechLink as a 
pilot program. Since then, this program has exceeded all expectations. 
TechLink has established more than 250 partnerships between Federal 
laboratories and the private sector, including technology licensing 
agreements, cooperative R&D agreements, and contracts to small 
businesses for new technology development. These partnerships involve 
more than 50 different Federal research centers--including over 40 
Department of Defense labs and all 10 NASA centers. TechLink has played 
a key role in linking the high-tech sector in the Northwestern United 
States with Federal laboratories nationwide. It has assisted more than 
150 companies throughout the Northwest.
  Beginning this last October, TechLink became a permanent part of the 
Department of Defense's technology transfer, transition, and 
acquisition activities. It is the only Department of Defense-wide 
technology transfer center serving the Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
various defense agencies. TechLink accounts for approximately one-
fourth of all Department of Defense technology licensing agreements 
nationwide. It is playing a key role in transitioning innovative 
technology from Department of Defense labs and the private sector into 
commercial products that not only support our Nation's military and 
homeland security, but also contribute to national economic 
competitiveness and prosperity.
  TechLink provides an outstanding return on investment. Partnerships 
that TechLink has established with industry are returning revenues and 
in-kind contributions to Department of Defense labs worth more than 
three times the Federal funds expended to support TechLink's 
activities.
  As a result of its many innovations and achievements, the U.S. 
Department of Commerce recently recognized TechLink as one of 10 
``exemplary models'' nationwide of Federal technology transfer. I am 
proud to have played a key role in establishing TechLink, and wish this 
center the best in the years to come.

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