SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KEY TO ADMINISTRATION’S 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 President’s 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 President’s call to marshal the nation’s 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 president’s E-government initiative, will assist in expanding the use of the Internet and computer resources in order to deliver Government services.

The Department of Commerce’s 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 Administration’s 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 Administration’s 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.