SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KEY TO ADMINISTRATIONS COMMITMENT TO
ECONOMIC AND HOMELAND SECURITY
During
2002, the Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce have been
focused on the priorities of economic and homeland security and enacting
the Presidents agenda for a safer, stronger and better America.
Science
and technology have played essential roles in improving the economic
and homeland security of all Americans, said Commerce Secretary
Don Evans. The Department of Commerce has furthered the Presidents
call to marshal the nations technology resources to help the
United States win the war on terrorism, strengthen homeland protections,
revitalize the economy and create new jobs.
Technology
remains an important and vibrant part of our lives and our economy,
said Phil Bond, Under Secretary of Technology and Chief of Staff.
This Administration, and the Technology Administration specifically,
remain committed to supporting policies that foster innovation, support
research and development and improve the quality of life for all Americans.
The
Bush Administration has led the way in promoting innovation and competitiveness
a few accomplishments include:
Increased
market access. Signed legislation to grant the President Trade
Promotion Authority opening new markets for U.S. made products
Promoted
research and development. The President signed into law the largest
federal R&D budget in history and proposed broadening and making
permanent the research and experimentation tax credit.
Enhanced
Economic Security. Signed into law an economic security package
that will speed depreciation schedules. Deploying the advanced telecommunications
equipment and technologies needed for the high-speed Internet is capital
intensive. Companies are more likely to make these important investments
if they can depreciate the capital costs associated with broadband
rollout over a shorter time period.
Expanded
E-Government. The President signed H.R. 2458, the "E-Government
Act of 2002." The Act, which builds on the presidents E-government
initiative, will assist in expanding the use of the Internet and computer
resources in order to deliver Government services.
The
Department of Commerces Technology Administration continues
to serve as a portal to the technology community:
Promoted
Homeland Security. The Technology Administration (TA) hosted the
first-ever Homeland Security Tech Expo that featured over 300 American
inventors, small innovative companies and large corporations from
36 states.
The
Technology Administrations National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) has been a leader in the homeland security effort.
In 2002, NIST launched a major building and fire investigation into
the collapse of three World Trade Center buildings. NIST also issued
a series of guidelines that are helping federal agencies and the private
sector keep our information systems and critical infrastructures secure.
Fostered
Broadband Deployment. The Department of Commerce continues to
foster the development and rapid deployment of new technologies. TA
led a series of discussions with industry and consumer groups to promote
effective and balanced approaches to digital rights management as
part of a larger effort to understand the demand for broadband technologies
and promote applications to stimulate deployment.
The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA),
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Bureau of Industry
and Security (BIS) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
have all been key leaders in the Administrations technology
initiatives:
Enhanced
Ultrawideband Technology. The NTIA completed a technical study
on Ultrawideband technology that helped lay the foundation for the
introduction of a promising, new communications technology that potentially
could save lives and create new jobs for Americans.
Increased
Radio Spectrum. The NTIA issued a landmark plan to make more radio
spectrum available in the future for deployment of advanced mobile
(third generation) telecommunications services to meet an anticipated
consumer demand for new wireless services in the next decade and beyond.
Modernized
the Patent Office. The USPTO unveiled a revolutionary 21St Century
Strategic Plan to make USPTO a quality-driven, information age, market-oriented,
e-commerce based organization by 2008. This included a dramatically
accelerated electronic government in the processing of patent and
trademark applications.
Increased
Tech-Centered Economic Development. The EDA awarded $6.4 million,
its largest economic investment under the Bush Administration, to
Oakland Base Reuse Authority, Advancing California's Emerging Technologies
(ACET) and California State University at Hayward, Alameda, Calif.
The investment will become the nucleus of technology-led economic
development in Alameda and Oakland, creating hundreds of jobs in the
East Bay Region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Established
Bilateral High-Tech Trade. The BIS established a U.S.-India High
Technology Cooperation Group comprised of senior government officials
of both countries. The group will develop a statement of principles
governing bilateral cooperation in high-technology trade.