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.

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 and operated by the United States Armed Forces (referred to in this preamble as the defense laboratories 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 That the Senate (1) supports the designation of the Department of Defense Laboratory Day defense laboratories (2) recognizes that a key to maintaining United States Armed Forces superiority, innovation, and competitiveness in a global economy is to continue to support federally sponsored research and development; (3) acknowledges that the knowledge base, technologies, and techniques generated in the national network of defense laboratories serve as a foundation for additional efforts relating to the Armed Forces in the defense industrial base; (4) commits to find ways to increase investment in the national network of defense laboratories in order to increase support of federally sponsored research and development critical to the national security interests of the United States; (5) encourages defense laboratories, Federal agencies, and Congress to hold an outreach event on May 18, 2017, Department of Defense Laboratory Day (6) recognizes the outstanding dedication, qualifications, service, and accomplishments of the scientists, technicians, and support staff of the defense laboratories.

Summary: Supports the designation of the Department of Defense Laboratory Day in celebration of the work of the national network of laboratories and engineering centers of the U.S. Armed Forces. Recognizes: (1) that a key to maintaining Armed Forces superiority, innovation, and competitiveness in a global economy is to continue to support federally sponsored research and development; and (2) such network's scientists, technicians, and support staff. Acknowledges that the knowledge base, technologies, and techniques generated in such network serve as a foundation for additional efforts relating to the Armed Forces in the defense industrial base. Commits to finding ways to increase investment in such network. Encourages such network, federal agencies, and Congress to hold an outreach event on May 18, 2017.