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THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY PRESIDENT OUTLINES COMPREHENSIVE NEW TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE: Technology to Create Jobs, Protect the Environment, Improve Government; Bold Changes Proposed to Redirect, Focus U.S. Efforts Offering bold and dramatic changes to harness technology to drive economic growth and job creation, President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore today (2/22) unveiled a comprehensive new technology initiative to move America forward to a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, more competitive businesses, more effective government, better educational programs and technological leadership in critical fields. "In order to revitalize our economy, it is time for a dramatically new approach that recognizes the strength and potential of America's scientific and technological resources to change and improve the quality of our lives," President Clinton said. The new initiative: Technology for America's Economic Growth, A New Direction to Build Economic Strength offers a comprehensive blueprint to focus American technology around three central goals: -- Long-term economic growth that creates jobs and protects the environment; -- Making government more efficient and more responsive; -- World leadership in basic science, mathematics, and engineering. "We face new challenges, from our competitors around the world and from the people we serve here at home, that demand new solutions and creative thinking. Technology offers new opportunities for jobs, for a cleaner environment, for better schools, for high-quality health care and for scores of other advances. We must move to seize these opportunities," said Vice President Gore, who the President has asked to play a leadership role in implementing these new initiatives. President Clinton and Vice President Gore returned to California's Silicon Valley to unveil the initiative, where the President last year detailed his commitment to a new direction in U.S. technology policy, a commitment which was endorsed by leaders throughout the technology community. Technology for America's Economic Growth recognizes that new investments in technology will help the private sector create high-wage, high-skill jobs. It offers ground-breaking proposals to: Develop a national network of manufacturing extension centers to help small and medium-sized businesses gain access to technology; Invest in applied R&D in fields such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, and advanced materials; Increase partnerships between industry and the national laboratories; Develop a partnership with the American auto industry to enable the development of a "clean car," creating jobs and protecting the environment; and Expand the Commerce Department's Advanced Technology Program to provide matching grants for industry-led R & D consortia. A major priority of the package will be developing a National Information Infrastructure and the "information superhighways" created by legislation introduced and steered to passage by Vice President Gore when he served in the Senate. Technology for America's Economic Growth includes: Support for the High-Performance Computing and Communications Initiative that is developing new technologies for our most powerful computers, supercomputers that are able to rapidly process enormous quantities of information and for a national, high-speed network ("information superhighways") to make this high-performance computing more accessible. Developing new applications for high-performance computing and networking in health care, lifelong learning, and manufacturing. Creating pilot projects to demonstrate these technologies in schools and other nonprofit entities. A task force of the National Economic Council which will work with the Congress and the private sector to develop policies needed to accelerate the deployment of a National Information Infrastructure. America's technology policy also will be used to help meet other important national goals: The federal government will use technology to cut its costs, improve energy efficiency, and improve the quality and timeliness of service. The government will work with industry to develop technologies (software, computer and communications equipment) that increase the productivity of learning in our schools, our homes, and our work places. The plan will improve the environment for private sector investment and innovation in a variety of ways: Making the Research and Experimentation tax credit permanent. Reducing capital gains for long-term investments in small businesses. Reforming our antitrust laws to permit joint production ventures. Technology for America's Economic Growth recognizes as well that our policy goals require a continued commitment to U.S. leadership in basic research. The initiative includes substantial increases in funding for the National Science Foundation. And, Technology for America's Economic Growth improves the management of U.S. technology policy with: High-level leadership and coordination by the Vice President, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Economic Council. Developing a true partnership between the federal government and industry, labor, academia, and the states. Regular evaluation of programs to determine whether they should remain part of the national investment in technology.
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore |