[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND MANUFACTURING STIMULATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    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 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:

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Chairman, as we find ourselves falling farther 
and farther behind countries like China and India, which are graduating 
thousands more engineers and mathematicians than we are, America needs 
continued technological innovation to remain atop the global economy.
  Yet industrial research and development that leads to breakthrough 
innovation is often expensive, and positive results are often a long 
time coming.
  This can be especially problematic for small businesses. But America 
cannot afford not to help small business get the technology and 
training they need to compete in the world market.
  I sponsored and supported H.R. 1868 in committee, largely because it 
includes two programs to help small businesses: the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership and the Technology Innovation Program.
  The Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps America's small 
manufacturers improve productivity and competitiveness through 
technology. The Technology Innovation Program too assists small 
business to pursue new technology development.
  By supporting these programs we are supporting industry and ensuring 
that our economy continues to lead the world in technological 
innovation.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1868.

                          ____________________