David Pryor: “not only have the Democratic and Republican task forces supported the NIST programs, the entire Congress has responded…”

“not only have the Democratic and Republican task forces supported the NIST programs, the entire Congress has responded to these recommendations over the last 2 years by providing approximately $500 million annually for our flagship defense conversion program, the technology reinvestment project or TRP. NIST is one of the main participants in the TRP, and the program has already provided over $300 million to fund manufacturing extension projects. In fact, an announcement was made just 2 weeks ago that a NIST-style manufacturing extension project would be funded by the TRP in my home State of Arkansas. This particular extension award went to Winrock International, Henderson State University, and several other proposers in the State, to bring advanced technologies and practices to small wood product manufacturers and metal fabrication firms through networks that have been formed in the two industries. The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, the University of Arkansas system, and others in Arkansas are also working hard to develop a State Technology Extension Network which is very important to the economic prospects of Arkansas, and which I strongly support.”