WASHINGTON—September 23, 2010—Research!America responded to the National Academies report released today, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited, by calling for a stronger demonstrated U.S. commitment to global competitiveness. Research!America praised the report's observation that funding for science and engineering is a vital investment in our nation's future, and joined the call by the Academies for Congress to reauthorize the America COMPETES Act, passed by the House of Representatives in the spring.
"America's economic destiny lies in innovation, technology, science and research. It is here that investments will pay off in strong economic growth and a bright future," said former Congressman John Edward Porter, Research!America's chair. "The America COMPETES Act provides crucial support for STEM education—science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is the vital base that must be supported for our country—our children and grandchildren—to compete internationally. America today leads the world in science and technology, but that lead is being challenged. In my judgment, substantial and ongoing investments in science research and education are needed or our lead will disappear and our economy and living standards will decline."
Mary Woolley, Research!America's president and CEO, noted, "In a recent poll we commissioned, 88% of Americans agreed that it is important for the federal government to support basic scientific research, and 97% said they think education and training in science, technology, engineering and math is important—74% said very important—to U.S. competitiveness and future economic prosperity. The American public is solidly behind this issue. It's time for Congress to get behind the America COMPETES Act."
Woolley added, "In the same poll, 87% said it is important for the U.S. to achieve the goal adopted by other countries of spending 3% of GDP on research and development. We need measures like making the R&D tax credit permanent to help us achieve this goal."
Candidates for Congress in November have important roles to play in achieving these goals for the nation's health, which includes economic health. Research!America and two dozen partners have invited all candidates to share their views on these issues through Your Candidates–Your Health, a voter education initiative. At www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org, the public can see if their candidates have responded and, if not, ask them to do so, with simple tools on the site.
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by member organizations representing 125 million Americans. Visit www.researchamerica.org.