[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SIEMENS MAKES EXTRAORDINARY GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2017

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, a recent article in SC Biz 
News titled ``Siemens, USC announce $628M in-kind technology grant,'' 
details a remarkable new partnership between Siemens and the University 
of South Carolina. The article explains:

       The in-kind grant will provide Siemens' product lifecycle 
     management software to USC's College of Engineering and 
     Computing, and a combination of Siemens automation and 
     controls hardware in a digital factory innovation lab at 
     USC's McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research.
       Bill Kirkland, executive director of USC's Office of 
     Economic Engagement, said the new partnership represents the 
     top three investments Siemens has made in a university in the 
     United States.

  The article further shows the important relationship between industry 
and education in South Carolina:

       Raj Batra, president of Siemens Digital Factory Division, 
     U.S., said the grant gives back in all different forms. 
     ``With this investment in software and hardware, students and 
     faculty will get hands on experience with the same state of 
     the art design engineering platforms that are used by leading 
     manufacturers around the world . . .''
       USC President Harris Pastides called the announcement an 
     important day in the modern history of the University of 
     South Carolina . . . Pastides said, ``Our graduates will have 
     experience in Siemens' software, ready to take the leading 
     jobs in our state and around the world.''

  The article concludes with an accurate statement from Governor Henry 
McMaster:

       The number of companies wanting to do business in the state 
     has accelerated in the last few years due to the assets found 
     here . . . This collaboration just goes to prove the progress 
     we are making.

  I am grateful for the efforts of Governor Henry McMaster, USC 
President Harris Pastides, Executive Director Bill Kirkland, Siemens 
Digital Factory President Raj Batra, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce 
Wilbur Ross in creating jobs and promoting economic growth.

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