H. Res. 1055 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 9, 2010. 

Whereas the United States has the largest number of academic and research organizations with dedicated programs focused on the advancement of robotics technology; 

Whereas robotics has matured into an all-encompassing and 

enabling technology that, as a pillar of 21st century 

American innovation, is positioned to fuel a broad array 

of next generation products and applications, transform 

our society, and become as ubiquitous over the next several decades as desktop and mobile computing technology 

is today; 

Whereas the emerging market for service robotics in various 

sectors, including healthcare, national defense, homeland 

security, energy, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, 

agriculture, education, consumer goods, and others, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 

nearly 20 percent over the next few years to become a 

worldwide $27 billion industry; 

Whereas robotics is a critical technology capable in the near 

term of contributing to the economic recovery by creating 

new jobs, increasing productivity, improving quality, and 

increasing worker safety, and equally capable over time 

of addressing the longer term labor and healthcare issues 
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expected to result from the 40 percent increase in number of the Nation’s elderly over the next 20 years; 

Whereas robotics technology holds tremendous potential for 

reducing the cost of healthcare delivery, stimulating the 

discovery and development of new procedures and treatments for a wide variety of diseases and disorders, improving the standard and accessibility of care, providing 

individuals with disabilities, especially injured veterans, 

with greater independence and dignity, and enhancing 

overall patient health outcomes; 

Whereas robotics technology is proving essential to our national defense and homeland security by enabling the ongoing development and fielding of unmanned air, ground, 

and maritime systems that today help keep our Nation’s 

war-fighters and protectors out of harm’s way, and in the 

long run will serve as a highly effective force multiplier; 

Whereas robotics is a key transformative technology that can 

revolutionize American manufacturing by enabling small 

and mid-sized companies to cost effectively combine highly skilled workers and highly adaptable, precise, and reliable equipment to create and make high value products 

in high-stakes industries; 

Whereas robotics is rapidly proving to be one of the most effective, compelling, and engaging means for teaching and 

reinforcing fundamental science, technology, engineering, 

and mathematics (STEM) concepts as well as inspiring 

the Nation’s youth to pursue STEM-related careers 

thereby helping to create a highly-skilled, 21st century 

American workforce; 

Whereas America’s ability to maintain its leadership position 

and be both globally competitive and cooperative in a 
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wide range of rapidly emerging markets is being currently challenged by other regions, including the European Union, Korea, and Japan, who have committed to 

making multi-billion dollar, long-term investments in further developing and commercializing robotics technology; 

Whereas there is a strong need to recognize America’s leadership in robotics technology, educate the public on robotics 

technology’s broad potential, growing importance, and future impact on American society, underscore the need for 

increased investment in robotics technology research and 

development, and inspire the Nation’s youth to pursue 

careers in robotics and other STEM-related fields; and 

Whereas the second week in April each year is designated as 

‘‘National Robotics Week’’, recognizing the accomplishments of Isaac Asimov, who immigrated to America, 

taught science, wrote science books for children and 

adults, first used the term robotics, developed the Three 

Laws of Robotics, and died in April, 1992: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the designation of National Robotics 

Week (NRW) as an annual event; 

(2) encourages institutions of higher education and 

companies which utilize robotics technology to hold open 

houses during NRW to help explain the technology and 

its applications; 

(3) encourages science museums to organize events 

and demonstrations during NRW that help to educate 
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and engage the public on the utility, importance, and impact of robotics technology; 

(4) encourages schools, clubs, and organizations to 

hold open houses, organize local competitions, and demonstrate student activities relating to the field of robotics 

technology; 

(5) encourages activities that advance the use of robotics to revolutionize the way fundamental science, 

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are taught in the classroom and that highlight the 

success that robotics competitions organized by groups 

such as For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and 

Technology (FIRST) are having at inspiring students to 

pursue STEM-related careers; and 

(6) affirms the growing importance of robotics technology and supports all other efforts to increase national 

awareness of the technology and its impact on the future 

of the Nation. 

Attest: 

Clerk.