On the recordMarch 15, 2011
I thank the chairman. The points she raised are very critical because of the contributions these programs have made to our economy, most especially because much of the innovation that occurs in America comes from small businesses. In fact, this report by the Information and Innovation Technology Foundation underscores this point, that the innovations coming from big companies is actually on the decline. We really do depend on the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses to create the kind of innovation we require in America if we are going to be on the vanguard of change and vanguard of technologies and which is so crucial in moving forward as a nation. The SBIR program in particular has played a very crucial role in that regard. I think this report truly does emphasize the degree to which it has played a paramount role over the years since the program was created in 1982. It certainly has had an extraordinary history in that regard.
