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| 6/7/2007 12:00:00 AM |
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| Biggert Discusses the Role of States in a Technology Economy
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Remarks of U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13)
House Research and Development Caucus
The State’s Role in a Technology Economy
June 7, 2007
Thank you, Robert, for that kind introduction. And welcome to all of you too. Thanks for attending this briefing of the House Research and Development Caucus on the Role of States in a Technology Economy.
I want to start by thanking a number of organizations for partnering with the R&D; Caucus to sponsor this event, including ASME, ASHRAE, IEEE, and S.S.T.I., the State Science and Technology Institute.
Next week, the House will begin consideration of the annual appropriations bills. As we begin the debate here in Washington over federal funding for research and development, I think it’s only fitting that we take a closer look at one of our most important partners in the research and development enterprise – the states.
States directly fund research at state schools and even at some private schools and other institutions. They also indirectly support R&D; by providing lab buildings and equipment, and by employing scientists who not only conduct research, but also teach undergraduate and graduate students and get them involved in their research projects.
This funding is absolutely critical to our nation’s R&D; portfolio, and to our competitiveness. This I know from personal experience.
When I was a member of the Illinois General Assembly, we used state funds to build a “guest house” at Argonne National Laboratory. This hotel-like facility is located near the lab’s new Advanced Photon Source. Its purpose is to provide housing for the thousands of scientists visiting from across the country and around the world who are conducting experiments at the most powerful X-ray source in the world. They could actually monitor their experiments in real time from the comfort of their guest room.
More recently, the State of Illinois contributed funds to construct a building that would house the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory. The State of Illinois recognized that these investments in scientific infrastructure would have a positive impact on the state’s economy. More specifically, the state recognized that these investments would:
• Create jobs for highly-skilled workers,
• Attract scientists and engineers from around the world,
• Provide a resource for other businesses large and small in the region, and
• Even lead to discoveries that could be commercialized by entrepreneurs or startups.
I’m sure there are numerous other states that recognize the many economic benefits of investing in R&D.; We’re going to hear from representatives of two such states today – Georgia and Pennsylvania – about what their states support, and how that really benefits the state and national economy.
So I hope you learn something here today, and enjoy the presentations. Thanks again for coming.
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