[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AMERICA COMPETES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5116) to 
     invest in innovation through research and development, to 
     improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5116, the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. This multi-year 
reauthorization allows for urgently-needed investments to improve 
science, technology, engineering and math education, foster innovation 
and create jobs in the short, mid and long term. This bipartisan 
legislation will go a long way towards reversing the downward trend in 
domestic science and technological development, and will allow America 
to educate a new and highly skilled workforce, create new jobs in 
cutting-edge fields, and compete more aggressively in the global 
marketplace.
  The COMPETES Act will strengthen STEM education programs--the 
building blocks of scientific and technological advances--through a 
number of important initiatives at all levels. The Robert Noyce Teacher 
Scholarship Program will provide funding to train highly competent 
secondary school teachers. And as our students progress, H.R. 5116 will 
afford them the opportunity to continue studying science and technology 
through grants designed to attract and retain undergraduate students in 
STEM fields.
  The key to continued technological advances is innovative thinking. 
The COMPETES Act will create Regional Innovation Clusters, allowing 
businesses to collaborate and communicate more effectively on work and 
development in a number of fields. Additionally, through the 
reauthorization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, we 
will continue investing in potentially high-reward energy technology 
development. Along with the establishment of Energy Innovation Hubs, 
which support the advancement of energy technologies through research, 
development, and commercial application, we will be working towards 
achieving our nation's energy goals.
  I am also very pleased that the COMPETES Act takes steps towards 
helping our domestic small and medium-sized manufacturers through 
federal loan guarantees. This will allow them to access the capital 
they need to remain competitive in the global market. Additionally, 
through increased federal investment in the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, we 
will enable them to continue their important work during these 
difficult economic times.
  This legislation will encourage and support the STEM students of 
today and tomorrow, reward innovative thinking, invest in promising 
technological advances, and aid struggling American manufacturers. 
Madam Speaker, this measure will have short and long-term benefits for 
our economy and allow the United States to remain competitive in an 
increasingly interconnected global economy. I am proud to support this 
bill today, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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