Political Quotes

“along with the Republican leader, Senator McConnell, I have introduced the America COMPETES, Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science, Act of 2007. This legislation is the result of a truly bipartisan effort. Two years ago, Senators Bingaman and Alexander asked the National Academies to make recommendations on the steps we should take as a nation to maintain our competitive advantage. The result was the Augustine Report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' which provided four primary recommendations: First, the United States needs to dramatically improve K-12 science and mathematics education in order to increase our talent pool. Second, we must sustain and strengthen our Nation's traditional commitment to long-term basic research. Third, we must make the United States the most attractive place to study and perform research. And fourth, we need to provide incentives for innovation and long-term investment so that the United States is the premier place to innovate. The report warned that the Nation's traditional advantages ``are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength,'' and that ``decisive action is needed now.'' America has faced this challenge before. In 1957, when the Soviets launched Sputnik, it caused great panic and concern about our ability to maintain our technological superiority. We responded to these threats quickly.…”