Date: 2010-12-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

There is nothing wrong with us subsidizing good work. good science. the opportunity for jobs. I dont know what the structure was. Maybe I will go and research what happened with Henry Ford. I saw in those days he put together his family pennies. he made the Model T. and here we are today. But we live in a different economy. We live in a changing time of the dollar. And we live in a time when other countries have no shame in subsidizing business. We were on the floor earlier today where Germany is subsidizing Airbus. That is their right. But the question is. What are we doing to promote manufacturing? This reauthorizes the National Science Foundation. It authorizes grants and manufacturing. research and education. That is a good thing. It authorizes program grants for 21stcentury graduate education. as well as authorizing a program dealing with research for undergraduates. That is exciting. Innovation is part of what happens here. Then. of course. it authorizes research experiences for high school students as part of the research grants. So. overall. I guess my bottom line is I am ready to go. I am excited about the opportunities in the 21st century. I want us making things again. whether it is submarines. whether it is airplanes. whether it is new technology for our military personnel. whether or not it is a new space shuttle. a CEV. I want us to make things again. That is how you put people back to work. That is how you keep peoples minds churning: What is the next invention we can get? There is no shame to subsidizing this work. And I am delighted that not only are we doing that. but we are expanding the manufacturing loan guarantee program to permit loan guarantees to small and mediumsized manufacturers. I tell you. my colleagues. these companies are out here waiting. They want to get going. There is limited opportunity for access to credit. and I can tell you. they are excited about this opportunity. Government not involved in helping a country go forward in manufacturing? Whoever heard of that. That is what everybody is doing. It is time for us to stand up as well. So let me thank you. Chairman GORDON. for your service. I know you are going on to great things. Thank you for allowing me to share some time with you on the Science Committee. and the same to Chairman HALL. Again. vote for this. I rise in support of H.R. 5116 to invest in innovation through research and development. to improve the competitiveness of the United States. and for other purposes. This legislation is crucial to our efforts to keep America number one by investing in modernizing our Nations manufacturing. spurring American innovation through basic Research and Development. R&D. and highrisk. highreward clean energy research. and strengthening math and science education to prepare students for the good jobs of the 21st century. Today. we consider the Senate amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. H.R. 5116. which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Friday. The Senate Amendment: Keeps our Nation on a path to double funding for basic scientific research. which is crucial to some of our most innovative breakthroughs. Creates jobs with innovative technology loan guarantees for small and midsized manufacturers and Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration. Promotes highrisk highreward research to pioneer cutting edge discoveries through ARPAE and promotes job creation in clean energy. and Creates the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs by improving science. math. technology. and engineering education at all levels This bill: Is a fiscally responsible compromise that reduces the authorization from 5 to 3 years. reducing the cost. and repeals the original COMPETES programs that have not been funded. The BowlesSimpson deficit commission singled out basic scientific research as a longterm gain for the budget. as it is vital to our Nations scientific and economic leadership. The bill also bans the use of funds to pay the salary of Federal employees convicted of looking at pornography on Federal property. The bill is supported by the Chamber of Commerce. National Association of Manufacturers. Business Roundtable. TechAmerica. TechNet. American Association for the Advancement of Science. National Venture Capital Association. Information Technology Industry Council. Association of Public and Landgrant Universities. and Association of American Universities. It is imperative for us to demonstrate our firm commitment to creating economic prosperity and maintaining the status of the United States as a worldwide leader in science and technology throughout the decades to come. and to give future generations a greater opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Therefore. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this important legislation.