[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1868, THE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND MANUFACTURING 
                        STIMULATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2007

  Mr. GINGREY. Madam Speaker, I rise today as an original co-sponsor of 
the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007. I 
join my colleagues from the Science and Technology Committee, Mr. Wu, 
Mr. Gordon, Mr. Hall and Mr. Ehlers, in introducing this important bill 
that will ensure our Nation's technological competitiveness for decades 
to come.
  The President's American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) provides a 
foundation to keep our country competitive in the ever-expanding global 
marketplace. The Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation 
Act plays an important role in fulfilling this initiative by 
reauthorizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or 
NIST. NIST labs serve almost every Federal agency and U.S. industry by 
providing reliable and dependable standards, measurements, and 
certification services.
  As Congress looks to the future of the technology industry in this 
country, NIST research will prove to be indispensable in the maturation 
of cutting-edge basic research in becoming successful commercial 
products. Emerging fields such as nanotechnology and bioengineering are 
dependent on scientifically-based industrial measurements and standards 
to see that advanced laboratory research can make that leap into 
practical industrial applications. I recently visited some of NIST's 
laboratories and was amazed by the fascinating and vital work its 
scientists perform.
  H.R. 1868 includes 3-year authorization levels for NIST's 
laboratories which are consistent with the ACI's goal to double the 
nation's investment in physical science research by 2017. The 
Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act also authorizes 
the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program-a cost-sharing program 
that provides technical and business assistance to small and medium-
sized manufacturers. This assistance has a proven track record in the 
manufacturing industry to help companies remain competitive in the 
global marketplace by improving productivity and efficiency. In 
addition, this legislation authorizes the Technology Innovation Program 
that provides grants that encourage the development of high-risk, 
innovative technologies that will provide widespread economic benefits 
to companies across the United States.
  I thank Chairman Wu for incorporating our priorities for NIST into 
this comprehensive authorization bill and I look forward to working 
with my Science Committee colleagues to ensure quick action on this 
important bill.