[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             MANUFACTURING

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, the manufacturing sector is under siege from 
cheap imports, unfair trade agreements, and escalating heath care and 
energy costs. Instead of working to alleviate this burden, the Bush 
administration has turned its back on manufacturing. The administration 
slashed funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, and 
the Advanced Technology Program, ATP, in this year's budget. MEP helps 
manufacturers streamline operations, integrate new technologies, 
shorten production times, and lower costs. ATP provides grants to 
support research and development of high-risk, cutting edge 
technologies. Both MEP and ATP help manufacturers survive and compete 
with countries such as China.
  Today I offer, with Senator Voinovich, some help for beleaguered 
manufacturers. The Advanced Multidisciplinary Computing Software Center 
Act was drafted from recommendations made by the Council on 
Competitiveness regarding high-performance computing. The legislation 
would provide grants for the creation of five Advanced Computing 
Software Centers throughout the United States that would transfer high-
performance computing technologies to small businesses and 
manufacturers.
  High-performance computing will allow manufacturers to visualize and 
simulate parts and products before they can be created, which will cut 
the time and cost required to experiment with new materials. General 
Motors, for example, uses high-performance computing to simulate 
collisions, saving millions of dollars in development costs and 
substantially shortening design cycle times.
  Presently, only large companies like GM have the resources to reap 
the benefits of high-performance computing. This bill would provide 
grants to small and medium manufacturers to implement this technology 
and create new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and 
product development and allow manufacturers and businesses to harness 
the full potential of high-performance computing

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