By the late eighties, it looked as if the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing industry might wither away. But another consortium was established to restore the U.S. chip industry to world leadership. Thirteen intense rival companies were united to form Sematech, and the Austin community and The University again waged a successful campaign to bring a new endeavor to this city. In addition, the health sciences centers in Texas have provided world leadership in medicine, biotechnology, and research. The numerous advances in medical care and innovation that have emerged from these centers have enhanced greatly the state's position in technology and contributed to our economic success.
Technology is a part of a larger continuum of change.
One generation of technology is transformed by the next. The Information Age has just increased the pace of that change. We must embrace change, take steps to prepare for it, or be left behind. The states that are taking the right steps today will be at the leading edge tomorrow. Texas needs its institutions, its government, its leaders, and especially The University, to be carefully planning for the technology of the 21st century.