Pelosi Statement on the National Summit on Competitiveness
Pelosi Statement on the National Summit on Competitiveness
Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the National Summit on Competitiveness being held today at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"Three weeks ago, House Democrats unveiled The Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1.' This is a challenge to the Congress and the country to renew our commitment to the public-private partnerships that will secure America's continued leadership and unleash the next generation of discovery, invention, and growth.
"Today, the Bush Administration is following our lead, holding a summit with national business leaders in Washington, D.C. to address America's competitiveness. This event follows months of regional roundtables that Democrats have been convening across the country. Democrats went outside of Washington, and met with leaders from many fields: academia, venture capital, and entrepreneurs from the high-tech, biotech, and telecommunications sectors to seek out the best possible thinking on how to secure America's place as the world leader in innovation.
"Based on these meetings, and the advice and best practices of these leaders,we identified and committed to priorities that will guarantee our national security and prosperity, expand markets for American products, and assert economic leadership throughout the world. House Democrats are proud to present our bold innovation agenda, that:
· Creates an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering, and information technology;
· Invests in a sustained federal research and development initiative that promotes public-private partnerships;
· Guarantees affordable access to broadband technology for all Americans;
· Achieves energy independence in 10 years by developing emerging technologies for clean and sustainable alternatives that will strengthen national security and protect the environment; and,
· Provides small businesses with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job creation.
"We must make a decision now to ensure that America remains the world leader. Democrats have made that decision, and today I am proud to announce that Congressman Bart Gordonof Tennessee has introduced legislation implementing a provision within the innovation agenda that creates a new DARPA-like initiative within the Department of Energy.
"Development of a new generation of clean energy technologies is critical to combating our nation's looming environment, economic, and security threats. The ARPA-E model in Congressman Gordon's legislation would recruit only the best and brightest from the national laboratories, industry and academia, and give them the authority, flexibility, and resources needed to develop high-risk, high-reward technologies. This unprecedented rapid-response approach to technology development may be the ultimate solution for a cleaner, more stable energy economy.
"These issues don't have to be partisan. Democrats believe that together, American can do better. We look forward to working together to implement our Innovation Agenda."
http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=1297