III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 629 

Recognizing the 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s seminal Report 

on the Subject of Manufactures. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 5, 2016 

Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. GRAHAM) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s 

seminal Report on the Subject of Manufactures. 

Whereas December 5, 2016, is the 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s landmark Report on the Subject of 

Manufactures (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Hamilton report’’), which he delivered on December 5, 1791; 

Whereas the groundbreaking Hamilton report stressed the 

importance of a diversified national economy in which 

manufacturing, alongside agriculture, contributes significantly to economic health; 

Whereas Alexander Hamilton promoted a modern economic 

vision years ahead of his time based on investment, industry, internal improvements, and expanded commerce; 


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•SRES 629 IS 

Whereas the Hamilton report had its roots in President 

George Washington’s first annual message to Congress 

on January 8, 1790, when he argued that the people of 

the United States should promote manufacturing to make 

the United States independent of other nations for essential supplies, particularly military supplies; 

Whereas the House of Representatives then requested the 

Secretary of the Treasury prepare a report describing 

plans to encourage ‘‘manufactories’’ that would promote 

that independence; 

Whereas the Hamilton report recognized that the Federal 

Government could take steps to encourage innovation in 

the manufacturing sector, and recommended government 

promotion of manufacturing through incentives to encourage risk taking and innovation, as well as reasonable 

and flexible tariffs to counter Great Britain’s mercantilist 

system; 

Whereas Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a 

major author of the Federalist papers, a signatory to the 

Constitution of the United States, the first Secretary of 

the Treasury, and the founder of the First Bank of the 

United States and the Coast Guard; 

Whereas Alexander Hamilton founded the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures in Paterson, New 

Jersey, which became an important center for manufacturing production and innovation; 

Whereas Alexander Hamilton used his influence to define the 

role of the Federal Government in promoting a sound financial foundation for the young nation; 


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Whereas manufacturing is critical to the United States economy, and contributes approximately $2,170,000,000,000 

to the United States economy annually; 

Whereas manufacturing makes an outsized contribution to 

the United States economy in terms of total output and 

employment, and supports more than 17,000,000 indirect 

jobs in the United States and approximately 12,000,000 

individuals directly employed in manufacturing, more 

than 1⁄5 (21.3 percent) of total employment in the United 

States in 2013; 

Whereas manufacturing represents more than 11 percent of 

the United States economy, and accounts for approximately 70 percent of industry-funded research and development; 

Whereas manufacturing is entering a dynamic new phase, 

with new market opportunities in the developing world, 

game-changing innovations in materials and processes 

(including composites and nanomaterials, 3-D printing, 

and advanced robotics), and increased competition across 

the world; 

Whereas manufacturing makes substantial contributions in 

the United States economy to research and development, 

exports, and productivity growth; 

Whereas the number of manufacturing jobs coming into the 

United States, through reshoring and foreign direct investment, is now equal to or slightly higher than the 

number of jobs leaving the United States, which contributes to the manufacturing rebound; 

Whereas manufacturing firms have a critical role in innovation, engaging new technologies that improve processes, 


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support product innovation, and create well-paying jobs; 

and 

Whereas the brand ‘‘Made in the USA’’ carries tremendous 

weight and appeal across the world: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the 225th anniversary of Alex3 ander Hamilton’s seminal Report on the Subject of 

4 Manufactures; 

5 (2) recognizes the vision of Alexander Hamilton 

6 to make a case for a strong and diversified economy, 

7 which has withstood the test of time; 

8 (3) expresses admiration and appreciation for 

9 the variety of ways in which Alexander Hamilton 

10 contributed to the success of the young United 

11 States; 

12 (4) acknowledges the importance of the manu13 facturing industry’s contributions to the United 

14 States in promoting innovation, job creation, and op15 portunity for the middle class; and 

16 (5) supports efforts to grow and sustain United 

17 States manufacturing industries by creating a 

18 healthy business climate and establishing the level 

19 playing field vital to United States manufacturing 

20 success. 

Æ 


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