Letter Supporting the Conference Report Accompanying H.R. 2272, the "America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act"

August 2, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, urges you to support the conference report accompanying H.R. 2272, the "America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act."

Many of the programs highlighted in this conference report, such as those that focus greater attention on achievement in math and science, are essential to meeting the needs of America's current and future workforce. If America is to remain competitive in the global, knowledge-based economy, it needs to expand its workforce and restore excellence in education and science. The products realized from this commitment include solutions to national priority issues, such as affordable, reliable energy sources, which are compatible with important national security and environmental goals. The innovative energy technologies that will result from the programs in H.R. 2272 can ensure that America will have the energy resources to remain competitive in the future.

H.R. 2272 is an important step towards enhancing the economic competitiveness of the United States and will stop the long-running decline in the number of U.S. engineers and mathematicians, which is an imperative if the United States is to remain competitive. While other nations are raising the standards and numbers of science and math students, the U.S. cannot sit still.

The Chamber urges you to support the conference report accompanying H.R. 2272. The Chamber will consider votes on, or in relation to, this issue in our annual How They Voted scorecard.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten