ASME Expresses Support for the Reauthorization of the "America COMPETES Act"

NEW YORK, May 6, 2010 – In an outreach to the chairman and ranking member of the House Science and Technology Committee, ASME has expressed support for the full authorization of the America COMPETES Act, which since 2007 has provided funding for technology-based research and education initiatives.

Twenty-four leading technical organizations have joined ASME in the effort to urge the federal government to continue investments in technology programs deemed critical to the nation’s economic well-being, energy security, and workforce competitiveness.

These investments “are vital to ensuring our energy security and national competitiveness, meeting environmental challenges, and producing innovative technological breakthroughs and new jobs that will fuel the economy well into the future,” states a letter sent to the Honorable Bart Gordon (D-TN) and the Honorable Ralph Hall (R-TX), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House Science and Technology Committee.

ASME and the other groups collaborating on the letter support continued funding for programs at the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology, in addition to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives in America’s education sector. Investments in STEM education, according to the letter, would attract “the brightest young minds, including women and underrepresented minorities,” to the fields of science and engineering.

The America COMPETES Act of 2007, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, will expire if not reauthorized in the 111th Congress.

The letter expressing support of the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act is an official position statement of ASME.

About ASME

ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

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ASME Contact:
John Varrasi
varrasij@asme.org
212.591.8158

Media Contact: 
Regina Nisita
rnisita@affectstrategies.com
212.398.9680 ext 145