For almost two centuries, the United States has been a dominant scientific and technological power. Americans invented the light bulb and television, the telephone and the artificial heart. We built the first airplane, discovered the cure for polio, and created the Internet.

Our scientific and technological achievements are also the key to future economic growth.

Private enterprise has driven many of our practical achievements, but government investment in science and technology has also been critical. Government investment put a man on the moon, led to the invention of the computer, helped map the human genome, and fostered the development of many of the medicines on the market today.

Yet, government spending on research and development has dropped precipitously since the 1960s, and America is on the verge of losing its technological edge. Europe and Asia have now surpassed the United States in some critical areas-including alternative energy technologies. This poses a threat to our economic future.

One way we can put the United States back on the cutting edge of innovation is by supporting both private and academic research. That's why I voted for the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act (H.R. 1868), which prioritizes research in emerging areas of critical national need, particularly when it can lead to viable commercial projects for American companies. The legislation, which passed the House on May 3, 2007 and was passed as part of the America COMPETES Act, will foster better cooperation between universities, the government, and businesses.  It will lead to new technologies that, in turn, create new jobs and more growth for American manufacturing.  There is every reason to expect that we can, given sufficient investment, create new industries with good jobs ("green" jobs) to respond to our need for clean energy and energy independence, among many possibilities.

Another way to promote scientific and technological progress is to give the next generation of innovators the best education possible. Education creates the expertise and innovation that we need, as a nation, to push the frontiers of science. Education is also essential if our young people are going to compete for the best jobs in the world economy. 

I am proud to have voted for several pieces of legislation that strengthen education and research in science, and teacher training in the sciences and math.

• The 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362), which passed the House on April 24, 2007, authorizes science scholarships for educating mathematics and science teachers.
• The Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research Act (H.R. 363), which passed the House on April 24, 2007, authorizes appropriations for basic research and research infrastructure in science and engineering, and for graduate fellowships.
• The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which passed the House on May 2, 2007, authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 for the National Science Foundation.
• The National STEM Scholarship Database Act (HR 1051), which passed the House on June 6, 2007, establishes a database of information on public and private financial assistance programs for the study of postsecondary and graduate science, technology, engineering, and math. It will be part of the public website of the US Department of Education.
• The act to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (HR 364), with the goal of reducing foreign energy imports by 20% in 10 years.

All of these bills were incorporated into the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272), which was signed into law on August 9, 2007.  We need to develop the talents of our people if we are to prepare our children to compete successfully in the global economy.  Excellence in science and technology are the keys to ensuring a prosperous future. I am committed to helping America keep its edge.