[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2407-E2408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A MODELING AND SIMULATION 
              GRANT PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2007

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that will establish a grant program at the U.S. Department 
of Education to encourage and enhance the study of Modeling and 
Simulation at institutions of higher education.
  Modeling and Simulation has become an essential component in ensuring 
that we meet both the defense and domestic challenges of the 21st 
century. Modeling and Simulation technology allows us to easily and 
effectively sharpen the tools, procedures, and decisions needed to 
address difficult and complex problems.
  Earlier this year, this body passed by voice vote House Resolution 
487, introduced by my Virginia colleague Congressman Randy Forbes of 
Virginia, which recognized Modeling and Simulation as a national 
critical technology.
  This critical technology allows us to build and develop computer 
models of complex systems--whether a car, an airplane, an entire 
battlefield, or even a major city's evacuation plan--to see how certain 
actions will affect the end result. These simulations help us develop 
better and practical analogies of real world situations. Modeling and 
Simulation is a rapidly expanding field and we must ensure that the 
United States maintains its competitive edge in this field by expanding 
Modeling and Simulation programs at our institutions of higher 
education.
  The bill that I am introducing today will ensure that this national 
critical technology is expanded at our Nation's colleges and 
universities. Specifically, the bill will establish a grant program for 
colleges and universities to enhance and improve already established 
Modeling and Simulation programs. Colleges and universities without 
Modeling and Simulation

[[Page E2408]]

programs can also use the grant to establish their own program. The 
bill will also create a task force at the Department of Education to 
support the development of the Modeling and Simulation field, including 
helping to further define the study and identify the best practices of 
Modeling and Simulation.
  I am proud to represent the people and businesses of the Third 
Congressional District of Virginia who are leading the way in the 
Modeling and Simulation field. Numerous colleges and universities in 
the Hampton Roads area, such as Hampton University, Norfolk State 
University, and Old Dominion University, have Modeling and Simulation 
programs. Old Dominion University is one of the few universities that 
has both an undergraduate degree program and a graduate degree program 
in Modeling and Simulation. ODU's Modeling, Analysis and Simulation 
Center in Suffolk, Virginia is a premier facility that is second to 
none.
  The grant program established by this legislation will go a long way 
in helping universities that have Modeling and Simulation programs 
expand and enhance their programs, as well as helping universities 
without a Modeling and Simulation program establish their own program. 
I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support this important 
legislation to ensure that the United States maintains its competitive 
advantage in the critical national technology field of Modeling and 
Simulation.

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