[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND MANUFACTURING STIMULATION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 1868) to 
     authorize appropriations for the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 
     2010, and for other purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1868, the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act, 
which will reauthorize the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, NIST, for the next 3 years.
  H.R. 1868 is the first reauthorization of NIST since 1991. 
Authorizing $2.5 billion over 3 years, this bill would increase funding 
for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, which keeps jobs 
in the United States; creates the Technology Innovation Program, which 
allows universities partnering with businesses to apply for funding 
through NIST and speed research in high-risk, high-reward technologies 
in areas of critical national needs; continue funding NIST on a 10-year 
path to doubling; and provide necessary construction funding for 
laboratory upgrades.
  Founded in 1901 under the National Bureau of Standards Act, NIST has 
been in the forefront of innovative technology in areas of public 
safety, industrial competitiveness and economic growth through 
standards and measurements. Its mission is to promote U.S. innovation 
and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, 
standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and 
improve our quality of life.
  NIST works tirelessly with industry, universities, and other 
government agencies to address technological innovations that will 
fundamentally change products and services available in the 21st 
century. NIST is renowned for working on cutting edge technology. 
Innovations from this research will ultimately impact our quality of 
life.
  Also supported in this reauthorization would be the Malcolm Baldrige 
National Quality Award, founded by NIST and given by the President of 
the United States. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award 
recognizes businesses for their standard of performance excellence in 
their business practices. Minnesota has been the recipient of three 
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards in the past 10 years. Most 
recently in 2005, Sunny Fresh Foods, Incorporated won its second 
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for its quality and leadership 
that continually focuses people and business processes on improving 
product and services to its customers and stakeholders.
  NIST sits at the nexus of science and industry. NIST's unique role is 
to advance measurements and standards so that the next innovation can 
be realized and commercialized. In today's global economy, the ability 
of the United States to remain competitive relies increasingly on our 
ability to develop and commercialize innovative technologies. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1868 in order for National Institute of 
Standards and Technology to remain as the premier institute for 
measurements and standards in the world.

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