Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007

Floor Speech

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND MANUFACTURING STIMULATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - May 03, 2007)

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Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Chair, my thanks to my friend, Mr. Wu, for leading this debate today. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1868, the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act.

The time has come for our country as a whole to stop ceding progress in science and technology to our competitors overseas. As one of the younger Members of this Chamber, I know that it is this generation's responsibility to keep our country competitive with countries like Japan, China, and India, whose young scientists and engineers are making new technological discoveries every day.

H.R. 1868 is part of the Speaker's Innovation Agenda to address how the United States should create a new generation of innovative thinkers and an educated, skilled workforce in science, math, engineering, and information technology. This bill makes a sustained commitment to Federal research and development, and will promote private sector innovation and provide small businesses with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job creation throughout the country.

The Innovation Agenda is of particular importance to me as the Representative to Connecticut's Fifth District. We used to be the vanguard of manufacturing in the Fifth District; it is the home of Stanley Tool, of Scoville Brass, Torrington Ball Bearing Company, the fashioner of ball bearings where my grandfather and great-grandfather worked.

The days of those large manufacturing plants, at least in the Fifth Congressional District, are days of the past. However, my district now stands at the precipice of a new manufacturing era.

As I travel around my district, I am struck by how many small, high-tech manufacturers are setting up shop in this corner of the world. For example, in Torrington, high-tech companies are sprouting up on the grounds of the former Torrington Ball Bearing plant. In Danbury, in the shadow of a deserted hat manufacturing plant, a company that specializes in homeland security devices is growing. And in Waterbury, at an old brass factory, Luvata is making wire for an international consortium creating the world's first nuclear fusion device.

These small manufacturers are struggling every day with rising electricity costs and a lack of qualified workers to fill their growing job demands. This is why the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a national network of local centers that are set up to help these small manufacturers, are so critical to my district and districts like mine. This program is an effective public-private partnership that helps to leverage State and Federal dollars into private investment funds for these smaller manufacturers.

The importance of small manufacturers to America cannot be overstated. It is these small manufacturing plants where the most innovative work is being done. That is why I am so proud of where the Fifth District stands as it is ready to lead in this new era.

Lastly, I just would like to voice my support for the Baldrige National Quality Program, named for former Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige. The awards given by the President to businesses that live by Mr. Baldrige's strong belief and quality of performance standards, his widow, Midge Baldrige of Woodbury, Connecticut, and a friend. It is an honor to represent her.

I thank the gentleman for the time, I thank his efforts on this measure, and I urge passage this afternoon here in the House.

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