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| 7/13/2006 12:00:00 AM |
Shauna Riley |
| (202) 225-3515 |
| Judy Speaks on Japanese Science and Technology Strategy |
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Remarks of U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL)
Congressional Research and Development Caucus
Science and Technology Policy in Japan and
Japan Science and Technology Agency Activities
July 12, 2006
Thank you, Susan, for that kind introduction. I also want to extend a special thanks to the United Engineering Foundation and its member organizations for making this luncheon possible.
With the support of the UEF, the Congressional Research and Development Caucus is honored today to host a distinguished guest from Japan, the Former Executive Director of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Dr. Yukio Sato.
On behalf of over 40 members of the Congressional Research and Development Caucus, I want to welcome you to Capitol Hill today, Dr. Sato.
We are very excited to learn about Japan’s strategy for maintaining its national competitiveness. As members of the Congressional Research and Development Caucus, we, too, want to do everything possible to maintain our nation’s ability to innovate and compete.
As a friend, ally, and important trading partner to the United States, Japan’s competitiveness certainly benefits the United States, but it also challenges us to be better. The reverse is true too; U.S. competitiveness challenges and benefits Japan.
It only makes sense, then, that we understand each other’s strategy for remaining competitive, and learn from each other. Both nations obviously recognize the value of research, development and education. In real dollars, only the United States spends more money than Japan on research and development. But Japan spends more on R&D; as a percentage of its gross domestic product.
And both nations are confronting a common threat to our dominance in science and technology – China and India are making significant new investments in their own research capabilities.
Here in the United States, Members of Congress like Rush Holt and I have long recognized that past investments in scientific research and technology developments have contributed to America’s ability to innovate. And it’s this capacity to innovate that has contributed to our competitiveness as a nation.
For years, we have voiced strong support for research and education programs and fiscal policies that we believe will enhance America’s ability to innovate and compete.
This year was no different, except in one happy respect. While we continue to advocate for these policies and programs, we now have a new and important partner in our advocacy efforts – the President of the United States.
As part of the American Competitiveness Initiative unveiled during his State of the Union address, President Bush committed to:
· Educating and training thousands of new math and science teachers;
· Making permanent the tax credit for companies conducting research and development, and
· Doubling federal funding for research in the physical sciences over the next 10 years.
The House already has indicated its strong support for this sound strategy; this year, it has taken the first key step on the road to doubling the funding for research in the physical sciences.
In closing, let me just say that we can never afford to be complacent. We must continually reevaluate our efforts. That’s why I want to thank our guest today for helping us to think in new and creative ways about the U.S. strategy to remain competitive. We certainly look forward to working with you, Dr. Saw-toe, on ways that our countries can work together to ensure that the rest of the world continues to benefit from U.S. and Japanese innovations.
With that, I will turn it over to the co-chair of the R&D; Caucus, one of only two physicists serving in the U.S. Congress, my friend and colleague Dr. Rush Holt.
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