III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 161 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that defense laboratories are on the 

cutting-edge of scientific and technological advancement, and supporting 

the designation of May 18, 2017, as ‘‘Department of Defense Laboratory 

Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 10, 2017 

Mr. DONNELLY (for himself, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. BROWN, Mr. NELSON, Ms. 

WARREN, Mr. REED, Mrs. SHAHEEN, and Mr. PETERS) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 

Services 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that defense laboratories 

are on the cutting-edge of scientific and technological 

advancement, and supporting the designation of May 

18, 2017, as ‘‘Department of Defense Laboratory Day’’. 

Whereas the national network of laboratories and engineering 

centers that are owned by the United States Armed 

Forces and funded by the Federal Government and research and development centers that are owned by the 

United States Armed Forces and funded by the Department of Defense (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘defense laboratories’’) should be commended for the unique 

role that network has had in countless innovations and 

advances in the areas of defense and national security; 


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•SRES 161 IS 

Whereas technological progress is responsible for up to 50 

percent of the growth of the United States economy and 

is the principal driving force behind long-term economic 

growth and increases in the standard of living in the 

United States; 

Whereas research and development supported by the Department of Defense has led to new products and processes 

for state-of-the-art Armed Forces weapons and technology; 

Whereas defense laboratories frequently partner with State 

and local governments and regional organizations to 

transfer technology to the private sector; 

Whereas defense laboratories have earned prestigious national 

and international awards for research and technology 

transfer efforts and lead the way in cutting-edge science 

and technology; 

Whereas the innovations that are produced at defense laboratories fuel economic growth by creating new industries, 

companies, and jobs; 

Whereas, since the global leadership and national security of 

the United States is dependent on innovation and new industries, the work of the national network of defense laboratories is essential to the continued prosperity of the 

United States; and 

Whereas May 18, 2017, is an appropriate day to designate 

as ‘‘Department of Defense Laboratory Day’’: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of the ‘‘Depart3 ment of Defense Laboratory Day’’ in celebration of 


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•SRES 161 IS 

1 all of the work and accomplishments of the national 

2 network of laboratories and engineering centers that 

3 are owned by the United States Armed Forces and 

4 funded by the Federal Government and research and 

5 development centers that are owned by the United 

6 States Armed Forces and funded by the Department 

7 of Defense (referred to in this resolution as the ‘‘de8 fense laboratories’’); 

9 (2) recognizes that a key to maintaining United 

10 States Armed Forces superiority, innovation, and 

11 competitiveness in a global economy is to continue to 

12 support federally sponsored research and develop13 ment; 

14 (3) acknowledges that the knowledge base, tech15 nologies, and techniques generated in the national 

16 network of defense laboratories serve as a founda17 tion for additional efforts relating to the Armed 

18 Forces in the defense industrial base; 

19 (4) commits to find ways to increase investment 

20 in the national network of defense laboratories in 

21 order to increase support of federally sponsored re22 search and development critical to the national secu23 rity interests of the United States; 

24 (5) encourages defense laboratories, Federal 

25 agencies, and Congress to hold an outreach event on 


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•SRES 161 IS 

1 May 18, 2017, ‘‘Department of Defense Laboratory 

2 Day’’, to make the public more aware of the work 

3 of the national network of defense laboratories; and 

4 (6) recognizes the outstanding dedication, quali5 fications, service, and accomplishments of the sci6 entists, technicians, and support staff of the defense 

7 laboratories. 

Æ 


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