McIntyre Votes for Science and Technology Jobs and Education
January 6, 2011

Dear Friends,

About half of the growth in the U.S. GDP since World War II is related to the development and adoption of new technologies. As the U.S. continues to grow in the 21st century, it is important to support scientific education, research, and industries that create competitive jobs and spur economic growth. This week, the President signed legislation into law which works to promote these goals.

In December, the House passed the COMPETES Act with bipartisan support. This legislation aims to maintain and strengthen our nation’s global economic competitiveness by:

• improving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, so that all students are prepared for the highly technical, high-paying jobs of the future;
  
  
• setting our basic research programs on a doubling path: the labs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); National Science Foundation (NSF); and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science; and
  
  
• addressing the need for transformational energy technologies with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E), which is pursuing high-risk, high-reward energy technology development.
  

With this bill, we will lay the foundation for new industries that provide good jobs for our workers; that open new markets for American products; that offer more students, more young people, and entrepreneurs a better chance to live out the American dream. This legislation is about keeping America number one and using the best resources intellectually in our country, technologically, to have us be competitive in the world economy.

The reauthorization of the COMPETES Act continues to build upon the investments made in the Recovery Act. As part of that effort, we have extended broadband to rural and underserved areas, invested in clean energy jobs and energy independence, and helped spur the development of new technologies.

The COMPETES Act supports good-paying jobs for American workers, strong American leadership in the global economy, investment in America’s students, and long-term prosperity for America’s families and businesses. I am pleased to have supported this bill and during this new Congress, I will continue to support legislation that supports the workers and families of Southeastern North Carolina in the global economy.

Sincerely,



U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
Representing the 7th District of North Carolina

Lumberton, NC
500 North Cedar Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 735-0610
fax (910) 739-5085

Fayetteville, NC
301 Green Street, Room 218
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 323-0260
fax (910) 323-0069