[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E257-E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL MANUFACTURING STRATEGY ACT OF 2010

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be introducing today the 
National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010. I would like to especially 
thank the 27 members of Congress who have joined me in supporting this 
bipartisan bill.
  While our Nation reaps enormous benefits from a strong domestic 
manufacturing base, it is increasingly clear to me that we need a 
coherent and forward-looking plan for supporting America's 
manufacturers. I believe that by requiring the President to develop and 
submit to Congress a National Manufacturing Strategy every four years, 
we can ensure the government is doing all it can to ensure this vital 
industry is able to succeed. Manufacturing is too important for us to 
continue to manage it in an ad hoc, unplanned fashion.
  Currently, Federal, State and local governments interact with and 
strive to support manufacturing in their own ways. Unfortunately, these 
efforts are too often reactive, uncoordinated, and stovepiped within 
agencies and jurisdictions. What we need instead is an approach that is 
coordinated, proactive, and fulfills both short- and long-term goals to 
improve our manufacturers' international competitiveness.
  My bill would require the President to closely consult with industry 
leaders and stakeholders in undertaking a far-reaching analysis of 
factors related to domestic manufacturing, its workforce, research and 
development, investment, the defense industrial base, and other related 
areas. Based on this analysis, the President shall develop a National 
Manufacturing Strategy that includes specific goals and recommendations 
for improving the manufacturing sector's competitiveness. Importantly, 
my bill will establish a Manufacturing Strategy Board. This advisory 
group of experts in manufacturing, innovation, and the workforce will 
provide the President advice and guidance on manufacturing issues, both 
specific to the development of the Strategy, as well as on a regular, 
continuous basis.
  I very much appreciate the support, feedback and guidance that my 
office has received from a wide range of individuals and organizations 
during the development of this bill. Individuals from the AFL-CIO 
Industrial Union Council, National Defense Industry Association, 
American Iron and Steel Institute, National Council for Advanced 
Manufacturing, Aerospace Industry Association, Center for American 
Progress, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others, have 
provided

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valuable comments and suggestions that helped us produce a better bill. 
I want to thank everyone who took the time to assist us with this 
important effort.
  Fundamentally, this bill is simple. Manufacturing is crucial to our 
economy and our middle class, to our national security, and to our 
ability to satisfy our domestic needs with domestically produced goods. 
It only makes sense that we have a sound plan for how the government 
can best help the private sector succeed. I believe that a National 
Manufacturing Strategy will help us accomplish that, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and doing the absolute 
best that we can to support manufacturing in America.

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