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For Immediate Release
04/26/07
Contact: |
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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America COMPETES Act Passes Senate
Bill Strengthens Math, Science Education and Research, Inouye Provision Creates Mentoring Program for Women |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the United States Senate passed S. 761, the America COMPETES Act, a bill to expand basic research and development, and promote math and science education. The Act includes a provision authored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the bill, which would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a mentoring program for women interested in science-based careers.
“In Hawaii, mentorship programs, such as the Women in Technology Program, have been very effective, and I am proud to base a national program on this model. We must do as much as we can to ensure that this country fully leverages all facets of our population and resources in maintaining our competitiveness,” said Chairman Inouye. “It is time for our nation to inspire a new generation of innovators.”
The act would direct the NSF to recruit and provide mentors for women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The NSF would also provide grants to community colleges for appropriate training to allow women to enter higher-paying technical jobs in these fields.
The America COMPETES Act is a bipartisan legislative response to the recommendations proposed in the National Academy of Sciences “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report and the Council on Competitiveness’ “Innovate America” report, which found a decline in U.S. student interest and performance in the fields of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering that could threaten the nation’s economic competitiveness.
“Our nation’s economic prosperity was founded on the drive of our students and the genius and innovation of our researchers,” said Chairman Inouye. “We must give our students, teachers, and scientists the tools they need to succeed.”
The act would increase education partnerships funded by the NSF and the National Laboratories, and significantly increase funding to the NSF, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. It would also direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to increase basic research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote leadership in the ocean and atmospheric research and education fields.
The America COMPETES Act is a joint effort of three Senate committees: Commerce; Health, Education Labor and Pensions; and Energy and Natural Resources. With 67 cosponsors, the bill enjoyed wide bi-partisan support. The Senate passed this measure by a vote of 88 to 8.
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26th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Ocean Acidification, Nobel Laureates, CAFE Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following hearings:
Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on the 2006 Nobel Laureates for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 4:00 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
Full Committee hearing on the Pending Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Legislation, fo...
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26th - |
current Press Release |
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25th - |
Committee Announces Rescheduled ATV Safety Hearing Date
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the rescheduled date for the Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Hearing on ATV Safety for Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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23rd - |
Chairman Inouye Encourages Passage of Innovation and Competitiveness Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) encourages the Senate to pass the America COMPETES Act, S. 761, which authorizes grants for the expansion and promotion of math, science, and technology research and development, as well as education programs from elementary through graduate school.
In a recent hearing on U.S. Competitiveness through Basic Research, Chairman Inouye not...
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23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces U.S. Trade Relations with China Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Trade Relations with for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the
Russell
Senate
Office
Building
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20th - |
Chairman Inouye Introduces Identity Theft Prevention Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), along with Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.) introduced the Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 earlier today, which authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consume...
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19th - |
Rural Air Service Hearing Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on Improving Air Service to Small and Rural Communities for Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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19th - |
April 25 Executive Session Agenda Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The agenda includes:
1. Nominations for Promotion in the United States Coast Guard, (PNs 386 and 423)
2. S.357, Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Ac...
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17th - |
Trade Subcommittee Schedules Halliburton, U.S. Business Ties to Iran Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on Halliburton and U.S. Business Ties to Iran for Monday, April 30, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
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17th - |
Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye on XM-Sirius and the Public Interest
- This morning the Committee considers issues related to the proposed merger of the two satellite radio operators in the United States, XM and Sirius.
While satellite radio is relatively new, it has grown rapidly. Today, XM and Sirius provide audio entertainment services to more than 13 million Americans. These subscribers listen to satellite radio primarily while drivi...
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16th - |
Commerce Announces Broadband and Competitiveness Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces a Full Committee Hearing on Communications, Broadband and Competitiveness: How Does the U.S. Measure Up? for Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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12th - |
Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye
- The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program has been under development since 2001 and despite $99.4 million in appropriations from Congress, it is still languishing at the Department of Homeland Security.
In our last hearing on this subject almost one year ago, we heard testimony about severe cost-overruns, contract mismanagement, excessive person...
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11th - |
Commerce to Address Free Trade in Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing titled Is "Free Trade" Working? for Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 10 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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2nd - |
VoIP, XM Sirius Subjects of Upcoming Commerce Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the following two hearings:
Full Committee Hearing on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the Future of 9-1-1 Services for Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building; and
Full Committee Hearing on XM Sirius for Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at 10:00 a...
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