Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5940, I rise to express my continued support for the bill that we are considering here today. Most Americans learn in grade school and high school that atoms are building blocks of nature. In the years since I was in school, incredible machines have allowed us to even see every one of these atoms. But now, thanks to the National Nanotechnology Initiative, or NNI, we have developed and continue to develop the tools, equipment and expertise to manipulate those atoms and build new materials and new machines, one molecule at a time. First established in 2001 and later authorized in statute in 2003, the NNI has by all accounts succeeded at coordinating nanotechnology research and development across many Federal agencies to the benefit of our national competitiveness. According to a recent review of the program by the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology, PCAST, the United States has been and remains the recognized leader in nanotechnology R&D. But the Council rightly pointed out that the European Union and China are gaining ground on us. That is why I am pleased that we are building on the success of NNI by passing H.R. 5940 today.”