[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1528-S1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 3117. A bill to strengthen the capacity of eligible institutions 
to provide instruction in nanotechnology; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join today with my 
colleague from Maine, Senator Snowe, to introduce the Promote 
Nanotechnology in Schools Act of 2010.
  As Co-Chair of the Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus, and former 
Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and 
Innovation, I have been involved in encouraging the development of 
nanotechnology for many years. Although I am gratified by the 
tremendous advancements that have already been achieved in 
nanotechnology, there are significant hurdles that could prevent the 
U.S. from realizing the full potential that nanotechnology holds for 
job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness.
  During this challenging period when the economy is faltering and the 
government is working to help create jobs, nanotechnology represents an 
opportunity to provide long-term, well-paid employment for millions of 
Americans. In fact, the National Nanotechnology Initiative--the Federal 
Government organization that coordinates nanotechnology research across 
all Federal agencies--estimates that the global nanotechnology 
workforce will require 2 million trained workers by 2015. It is 
estimated that only 20,000 workers are currently employed in this 
field.
  To ensure that many of the needed jobs will be created here in the 
U.S., it is necessary to provide our students

[[Page S1529]]

with the tools that will provide the skills and knowledge that 
nanotechnology companies need. This is exactly what the Promote 
Nanotechnology in Schools Act will do.
  This act directs the National Science Foundation to establish a grant 
program that would provide schools, community colleges, 2- and 4-year 
colleges and universities and other educational institutions with up to 
$400,000 to purchase nanotechnology education equipment and materials. 
Schools participating in the program would be required to provide 
matching funds of at least 1/4 of the amount of the grant.
  In my home State, it has been very rewarding to see the technological 
advances and entrepreneurial success achieved by the Oregon Nanoscience 
and Microtechnologies Institute, ONAMI. Oregon's first signature 
research center, ONAMI is a public-private partnership between the 
State's top research universities, major corporations, and small 
business entrepreneurs. Working with top scientists and graduate 
students, and leveraging the nanotechnology equipment available at 
Oregon's public universities, ONAMI has provided gap funding to 18 
start-up businesses, which have created at least 60 new jobs.
  While Oregon has been a leader in this arena, it is certainly not 
alone. Nanotechnology job creation efforts are accelerating in hubs for 
technology development throughout the country. As Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus, I have had the opportunity to talk 
with innovators and entrepreneurs from nanotechnology companies working 
in the areas as diverse as energy management, health technology, 
environmental sciences, advanced computing, textile and material 
sciences, and many others. What I have heard in common across all of 
these fields is the need for qualified workers.
  If high school and college students are not exposed to 
nanotechnology, this emerging field will not be able to reach its full 
potential. Without a qualified workforce that will allow nanotech 
companies in this country to scale-up, foreign competitors will be able 
to fill the vacuum in the global marketplace. With the Promote 
Nanotechnology in Schools Act, this country will put the resources into 
place that will prepare our students to meet the needs of the emerging 
nanotech economy.
  That is why I want to thank Senator Snowe for joining me in 
introducing this timely, and much-needed legislation. I also want to 
acknowledge the support and efforts of the nanotech companies that 
worked with me and other Members of Congress to help build support for 
this bill. Finally, I call upon my colleagues to move quickly not only 
to pass this legislation but also the National Nanotechnology 
Initiative Amendments Act reauthorization. These important bills will 
help advance nanotechnology in this country, and protect the U.S.'s 
position at the forefront of innovation and economic opportunity.
  I urge all my colleagues to support innovation and promote 
entrepreneurial competition by cosponsoring this legislation.

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