IV
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 110
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Departments
of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Labor should take steps to
assist in increasing the competitiveness of the United States electronic
interconnection industry.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 10, 1997
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. MEEHAN, and Ms. ESHOO) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, Na-
tional Security, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
the Departments of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce,
and Labor should take steps to assist in increasing the
competitiveness of the United States electronic inter-
connection industry.
Whereas the electronic interconnection industry, which pro-
duces printed wiring boards and printed wiring assem-
blies, is an important element of the electronics industry;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try, a foundation of the United States electronics indus-
•HRES 110 IH
try, is vital to United States competitiveness in elec-
tronics and critical to national defense;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try employs nearly 250,000 workers in the United States;
Whereas small and mid-sized businesses such as those that
make up the electronic interconnection industry are the
backbone of the United States economy;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try has annual gross sales exceeding $20,000,000,000;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try, while currently a net importer, has the potential to
become a net exporter, which will help reduce the United
States trade deficit;
Whereas growth projections have confirmed the potential for
a competitive printed wiring assembly industry, which is
expected to grow more than 20 percent annually during
the remainder of the 20th century;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try is responding to the challenge of international com-
petition and has reversed a market decline through a con-
certed effort in managerial excellence, operational effi-
ciency, technological development, improved communica-
tions, public policy advocacy, and workforce education
and training;
Whereas the United States electronic interconnection indus-
try struggles with inadequate capital formation in the
United States relative to its international competitors;
Whereas, although the United States electronic interconnec-
tion industry has battled back from the brink of extinc-
tion, ominous trends (such as declining research and de-
velopment by major electronics manufacturers, closed for-
•HRES 110 IH
eign markets, and high employee training costs) continue;
and
Whereas actions of the United States Government in the
areas of taxation, capital formation, technology develop-
ment, workforce development, and trade agreements are
vital to ensuring an internationally competitive United
States electronic interconnection industry well into the
21st century: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that—
(1) to assist in ensuring the financial soundness
of the United States electronic interconnection in-
dustry, the Department of the Treasury should de-
velop an accelerated depreciation schedule to accu-
rately reflect the depreciation of equipment used by
the industry;
(2) the Department of Defense should develop
a dual-use technology program with the United
States electronic interconnection industry to upgrade
the technological capabilities of the industry;
(3) the International Trade Administration of
the Department of Commerce should develop a joint
industry-Government program to expand the export
of goods and services of the United States electronic
interconnection industry;
(4) the Department of Labor should develop a
joint program with the United States electronic
•HRES 110 IH
interconnection industry to upgrade the training and
skill levels of workers in the industry; and
(5) within 12 months after the date of the
adoption of this resolution, the Secretaries of the
Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Labor should re-
port to the Congress on any actions taken within the
jurisdiction of the Secretaries, respectively, to in-
crease the competitiveness of the United States elec-
tronic interconnection industry.
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