[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1177-H1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL ROBOTICS WEEK
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1055), supporting the designation of National
Robotics Week as an annual event.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1055
Whereas the United States has the largest number of
academic and research organizations with dedicated programs
focused on the advancement of robotics technology;
Whereas robotics has matured into an all-encompassing and
enabling technology that, as a pillar of 21st century
American innovation, is positioned to fuel a broad array of
next generation products and applications, transform our
society, and become as ubiquitous over the next several
decades as desktop and mobile computing technology is today;
Whereas the emerging market for service robotics in various
sectors, including healthcare, national defense, homeland
security, energy, manufacturing, logistics, transportation,
agriculture, education, consumer goods, and others, is
expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly
20 percent over the next few years to become a worldwide $27
billion industry;
Whereas robotics is a critical technology capable in the
near term of contributing to the economic recovery by
creating new jobs, increasing productivity, improving
quality, and increasing worker safety, and equally capable
over time of addressing the longer term labor and healthcare
issues expected to result from the 40 percent increase in
number of the Nation's elderly over the next 20 years;
[[Page H1178]]
Whereas robotics technology holds tremendous potential for
reducing the cost of healthcare delivery, stimulating the
discovery and development of new procedures and treatments
for a wide variety of diseases and disorders, improving the
standard and accessibility of care, providing individuals
with disabilities, especially injured veterans, with greater
independence and dignity, and enhancing overall patient
health outcomes;
Whereas robotics technology is proving essential to our
national defense and homeland security by enabling the
ongoing development and fielding of unmanned air, ground, and
maritime systems that today help keep our Nation's war-
fighters and protectors out of harm's way, and in the long
run will serve as a highly effective force multiplier;
Whereas robotics is a key transformative technology that
can revolutionize American manufacturing by enabling small
and mid-sized companies to cost effectively combine highly
skilled workers and highly adaptable, precise, and reliable
equipment to create and make high value products in high-
stakes industries;
Whereas robotics is rapidly proving to be one of the most
effective, compelling, and engaging means for teaching and
reinforcing fundamental science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) concepts as well as inspiring the Nation's
youth to pursue STEM-related careers thereby helping to
create a highly-skilled, 21st century American workforce;
Whereas America's ability to maintain its leadership
position and be both globally competitive and cooperative in
a wide range of rapidly emerging markets is being currently
challenged by other regions, including the European Union,
Korea, and Japan, who have committed to making multi-billion
dollar, long-term investments in further developing and
commercializing robotics technology;
Whereas there is a strong need to recognize America's
leadership in robotics technology, educate the public on
robotics technology's broad potential, growing importance,
and future impact on American society, underscore the need
for increased investment in robotics technology research and
development, and inspire the Nation's youth to pursue careers
in robotics and other STEM-related fields; and
Whereas the second week in April each year is designated as
``National Robotics Week'', recognizing the accomplishments
of Isaac Asimov, who immigrated to America, taught science,
wrote science books for children and adults, first used the
term robotics, developed the Three Laws of Robotics, and died
in April, 1992: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of National Robotics Week
(NRW) as an annual event;
(2) encourages institutions of higher education and
companies which utilize robotics technology to hold open
houses during NRW to help explain the technology and its
applications;
(3) encourages science museums to organize events and
demonstrations during NRW that help to educate and engage the
public on the utility, importance, and impact of robotics
technology;
(4) encourages schools, clubs, and organizations to hold
open houses, organize local competitions, and demonstrate
student activities relating to the field of robotics
technology;
(5) encourages activities that advance the use of robotics
to revolutionize the way fundamental science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are taught in
the classroom and that highlight the success that robotics
competitions organized by groups such as For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) are having at
inspiring students to pursue STEM-related careers; and
(6) affirms the growing importance of robotics technology
and supports all other efforts to increase national awareness
of the technology and its impact on the future of the Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.
General Leave
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1055, the resolution now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Washington?
There was no objection.
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 1055, a resolution supporting the
designation of National Robotics Week as an annual event.
National Robotics Week is observed the second week of April. Its
purpose is to celebrate the United States as a leader in robotics
technology development, to educate the public about how robotics
technology impacts our society, and to inspire students of all ages to
pursue careers in robotics and other science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics fields.
Robotics technology is an increasingly important technology for
United States innovation and competitiveness, helping to create new
jobs and increase productivity. It has potentially transformative
implications for a broad range of sectors, including health care,
national defense, homeland security, energy, manufacturing,
transportation, and agriculture.
At the same time, as the United States struggles to maintain a highly
skilled STEM workforce, robotics technology has the ability to inspire
young people and get them excited about science and technology. It is
precisely this kind of enthusiasm that robotics technology and robotics
competitions offer to our children that will encourage them to consider
careers in STEM-related fields.
I particularly want to thank and acknowledge the hard work of
Representatives Mike Doyle from Pennsylvania and Phil Gingrey from
Georgia for introducing this bipartisan resolution. Representatives
Doyle and Gingrey are the co-chairs of the Congressional Robotics
Caucus, and they have made it a priority to educate Members of Congress
about robotics technology and the important role that it plays in our
competitiveness.
I would urge support of this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1055,
supporting the goals and ideals of National Robotics Week, and I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
National Robotics Week, which annually occurs during the second full
week of April, recognizes the transformative role of robotics
technology, the ability of robotics to inspire and educate, and the
need to underscore education at all levels. This event celebrates the
U.S. as a leader in robotics technology, which becomes more prevalent
in our lives with each passing year.
The mission of National Robotics Week is to educate the public about
the social and cultural impacts of robotics technology and to inspire
students of all ages to pursue careers in robotics and other science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields.
Events are scheduled around the country for this purpose. For those
who cannot attend in person, the National Robotics Week Web site
provides other ways for parents and teachers to get involved.
Affecting numerous sectors of our economy, including national
defense, robotics will continue to be an emerging market, with
substantial growth expected. As such it is important for us to
recognize the many aspects of the specialized field.
Despite the projected growth, the United States is facing a shortage
of graduates in STEM-related fields. National Robotics Week is yet
another tool to help parents and teachers motivate and inspire our
children to learn about the exciting role robotics plays in our
everyday world. Somewhere out there, the next Isaac Asimov is receiving
inspiration. Perhaps it is at a National Robotics Week event.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I would just mention, as my dear friend
from Texas pointed out, that anybody who has had the opportunity to
visit some of these nationwide competitions and see the enthusiasm of
these young people as their robots compete in everything from pushing
balls around to try to score goals in robotic soccer to mock combat,
what you really see is people who have really put their hearts and
minds into something, an enthusiastic learning experience that, as Mr.
Hall pointed out, will really inspire these people to careers in
science, technology, engineering, and math.
We need more of these folks, and this legislation helps champion that
idea. I again urge its passage.
I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. DOYLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1055,
legislation to support the designation of National Robotics Week as an
annual event.
I introduced this legislation because the increase in the number of
emerging and potential applications for robotics is astounding, and
[[Page H1179]]
I believe Americans should know more about the important role the field
of robotics will play in our national security and economic health in
the coming decades.
Robotics has come a long way in the last 20 years, but most Americans
still think of real-life robots as confined to the assembly line.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Recently, we've seen advanced next-generation robotics playing an
important role in our military for our national defense. Unmanned
aerial vehicles today provide life-saving reconnaissance support for
our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the rocket-armed Predator UAV
is reportedly the most effective tool we have for attacking the Al-
Qaeda and Taliban leadership and infrastructure. In addition, our
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have benefited greatly from the
development and deployment of mobile robots that detect and disarm
IEDs--the improvised explosive devices that have posed the greatest
threat to our troops on the ground in those countries.
Robotics is growing in economic importance as well. Robots are now
being used to perform surgeries, fill prescriptions, and deliver
supplies and materials, in addition to the role they've filled for many
years working on the assembly line. The Robotics Industry Association
estimates that nearly 200,000 robots are now used in the United States,
and it's estimated that more than one million robots are being used
worldwide. Even during the current economic downturn, orders for
robotic technology in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and food and
consumer goods sectors rose significantly.
The emerging market for robotics in various sectors, including health
care, national defense, homeland security, energy, manufacturing,
logistics, transportation, agriculture, education, and consumer goods,
is expected to grow at an annual rate of nearly 20 percent over the
next few years to become a $27 billion industry worldwide, and one new
study predicts that the personal robotics market for products like the
Aibo, the iSobot, the Looj, and the Roomba will be worth $15 billion by
2015.
It's clear to me that robotics technology will drive much of the
growth in the world economy in the coming decades, much as computer
technology did over the last 30 years, and I want America to be the
world leader in this exciting technology.
I'm proud to note that the Congressional District I have the honor of
representing is already a world leader in researching and developing
robotics technology. In 1999, in fact, the Wall Street Journal
nicknamed Pittsburgh ``Roboburgh.''
Carnegie Mellon University has been leading the world in integrating
robotic technologies into everyday life for over 30 years. Carnegie
Mellon's Robotics Institute has nearly 350 full and part-time employees
conducting research in a number of robotics-related fields, including
space robotics, medical robotics, computer vision, and artificial
intelligence, to name a few. All told, the Robotics Institute has about
100 research projects and an annual research budget of $55 million.
Current projects include a lunar prospector robot for NASA and two USDA
programs applying robotic technologies to agricultural production.
Pittsburgh is home to first generation companies like Bombardier
Transportation and McKesson; and second generation companies such as
RedZone, Seegrid, Aethon and RE Squared.
Pittsburgh is also the long-time home of one of the giants of the
robotics industry, Red Whitaker, distinguished professor of robotics at
Carnegie Mellon University and the leader of the CMU team that won the
2007 DARPA Grand Challenge, a cross-country long-distance race for
robotic cars.
At the state-level, Pennsylvania has a total of 45 robotics companies
with over 2,000 employees. Nationwide, the figures are even larger and
growing dramatically. That is why the Congressional Robotics Caucus was
established--and why we're discussing National Robotics Week here
today.
National Robotics Week is the brainchild of a number of universities
and companies working to promote the development and adoption of
robotics technology. The consortium works closely with the House
Robotics Caucus, which Representative Gingrey and I have the honor of
co-chairing.
The Robotics Caucus focuses on key issues facing the nation's
traditional industrial robotics industry and, perhaps even more
importantly, those issues critical to newly forming companies, markets,
and industries based on advances in technology that enable robots to
perform functions beyond traditional assembly line tasks and operate in
environments beyond the factory floor. Our goals include: Increasing
general awareness of robotics industry challenges and issues among
Members of Congress and policy analysts in federal government;
educating Members of Congress and congressional staff on current and
future research, development, and utilization initiatives regarding
robotics; serving as a forum where robotics-related policy issues can
be exchanged, debated, and discussed; and ensuring that our nation
remains globally competitive as the robotics industry rapidly expands
and begins to exert a profound effect on the way our citizens live
their lives.
Representative Wamp and I established the Caucus in 2007. Today, the
Caucus has over 30 members from across the country.
About a year ago, the group of universities and businesses that serve
on the advisory committee for the Robotics Caucus completed a national
``road map'' to promote robotics technology.
One of the steps contained in the road map was to raise public
awareness of the potential robotics holds for our nation's growth in
the coming years and encourage young people to pursue science,
technology, engineering, and math educations essential for maintaining
U.S. leadership in this important field. The road map identified the
establishment of an annual national robotics week as a good way to help
achieve that goal. The week of April 10th to 18th this year will be the
first of these annual events to raise national awareness of robotics
technology and its potential impact on the future of the Nation.
Over the course of that week, robotics companies, museums, schools,
and universities will hold events to educate the public and get young
people interested in pursuing careers in fields associated with
robotics. In Pittsburgh, for example, Carnegie Mellon University and
the Carnegie Science Center will be holding open houses and other
events for the public, and there will be a demonstration of an unmanned
helicopter by SkEyes Unlimited, a local robotics company.
I introduced H. Res. 1055 earlier this year to recognize the
observation of National Robotics Week. It's my hope that this
Congressional resolution will help give National Robotics Week--and the
important goals it seeks to promote--a higher profile.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1055, a resolution supporting the designation of the 2nd week of
April as National Robotics Week. As co-chair of the Congressional
Robotics Caucus and lead Republican sponsor of this resolution, I would
like to commend my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Doyle, for his
leadership in robotics and as the chief author of this legislation.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM, education is
instrumental to our ability to stay at the cutting edge of the global
economy. Yet, the United States is falling behind the rest of the world
in the number of students that are graduating from STEM fields.
Madam Speaker, according to a 2006 Association of American
Universities study, 50 percent of students in China receive their
undergraduate degrees in natural science or engineering; in Singapore,
that number is 67 percent, and 38 percent of South Korea's graduates
fall into these fields. Unfortunately, the United States is lagging
behind with a staggering 15 percent of graduates in natural science or
engineering.
H. Res. 1055 reflects the support and understanding that the
promotion of robotics will help inspire current and future students to
pursue careers in robotics and other various STEM-related fields. In
addition to simply supporting the designation of National Robotics
Week, this resolution encourages schools, universities, and other
robotics companies to use that week as a way to demonstrate the
impressive and ongoing technological advancements in the field of
robotics.
Madam Speaker, as a graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in
chemistry, STEM education is an issue that is near and dear to me, and
I am very happy to see this body consider a resolution that supports
National Robotics Week. Robotics technology gives students a ``hands
on'' learning experience and can provide them with the tools to keep
them engaged in STEM fields with the hope that those students will
pursue higher education opportunities and careers in those cutting edge
fields.
I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 1055.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H. Res. 1055, ``Supporting the designation of National
Robotics Week as an annual event,'' introduced by my distinguished
colleague from Pennsylvania, Representative Doyle.
Robotics was a term first used by Isaac Asimov, who immigrated to
America, wrote science books for children and adults and developed the
Three Laws of Robotics. Robotics is rapidly proving to be one of the
more effective, compelling, and engaging means for teaching and
reinforcing fundamental science, technology, engineering, and
mathematic, STEM, concepts. It is also a major vehicle for influencing
the Nation's youth to pursue STEM-related careers, which is helping to
create a highly-skilled 21st century workforce. Robotics is a key
transformative technology
[[Page H1180]]
that can revolutionize American manufacturing by enabling small and
mid-sized companies to cost effectively combine highly skilled workers
and highly adaptable, precise, and reliable equipment to create and
make high value products in high-stakes industries.
Robotics technology is essential to our national defense and homeland
security in that it enables the ongoing development and fielding of
unmanned air, ground, and maritime systems that today keep our Nation's
war-fighters and protectors out of harm's way, and in the long run will
serve as a highly effective force multiplier. Robotics technology holds
tremendous potential for reducing the cost of health care delivery,
stimulating the discovery and development of new procedures and
treatments for a variety of diseases and disorders, improving the
standard and accessibility of care, providing individuals with
disabilities, especially injured veterans, with greater independence
and dignity, thus enhancing overall patient outcomes. Robotics is a
critical technology capable in the near term of contributing to the
economic recovery by creating new jobs, increasing productivity,
improving quality, and increasing worker safety.
The emerging market for service robotics in various sectors,
including health care, national defense, homeland security, energy,
manufacturing, logistics, transportation, agriculture, education,
consumer goods, and others, is expected to grow at a compound annual
growth rate of nearly 20 percent over the next few years, to become a
worldwide $27 billion industry. Robotics has matured into an all-
encompassing and enabling technology that, as a pillar of 21st century
American innovation, is positioned to fuel a broad array of next
generation products and applications, transform our society and become
as ubiquitous over the next several decades as desktop and mobile
computing technology today. The United States has the largest number of
academic and research organizations with dedicated programs focused on
the advancement of robotics technology.
I believe that supporting the designation of National Robotics Week,
NRW, as an annual event will encourage all institutions of higher
education and companies which utilize robotics technology to hold open
houses during NRW to help explain the technology and its related
applications. The week will allow schools, clubs, and organizations to
organize local competitions, and demonstrate student activities
relating to the field of robotics technology, and provide science
museums the opportunity to organize demonstrations that help educate
and engage the public. NRW will ultimately increase the national
awareness of this particular type of technology and its impact on the
future of the Nation. The way that fundamental STEM-concepts are taught
in the classroom and how they highlight the success that robotics
competitions are organized by groups such as For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, are inspiring students
to pursue STEM-related careers.
{time} 1430
Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BAIRD. I would urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1055.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________