Mike Honda: “I rise in support of S. 189, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act. I thank the distinguished…”

“I rise in support of S. 189, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act. I thank the distinguished leaders of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and the gentleman from Texas (Ranking Member Hall) for working with me on the House version of this bipartisan bill, as well as Senators Allen and Wyden for their leadership on the Senate version of this legislation. I would also like to thank my personal staff and the committee staff for all their hard work in ironing out the differences with the other body that has allowed us to get to where we are today on this important legislation. Nanotechnology, which is the ability of scientists and engineers to manipulate matter at the level of single atoms and molecules, can be revolutionary because it is an enabling technology and fundamentally changes the way many items are designed and manufactured. Most Members of this body had probably never heard of the word 'nanotechnology' before we first considered legislation in May, but their support for the bill then and in the following months suggests that they have come to appreciate the impact this field will have. The long-term, sometimes high-risk nature of the research that will be needed to bring nanotechnology to maturity requires the support of, and significant investment by, the Federal Government.”