III
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 160
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 11, 2019
Mr. Jones (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Reed, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Peters, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Sullivan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
May 2, 2019
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the contributions of defense laboratories to the technological dominance of the United
States Armed Forces and supporting the designation of April 25, 2019, as Department of Defense Laboratory Day 2019
.
Whereas the national network of laboratories, research and development centers, and engineering centers that are owned and funded by the Department of Defense (referred to in this preamble as the defense laboratories) should be commended as reservoirs of technical talent available to support—
immediate, tactical military innovation; and
foundational research, science, and engineering to address long-term challenges;
Whereas the national security innovation emanating from the defense laboratories will be predicated on—
a sufficient pipeline of trained and experienced scientists and engineers eligible for a security clearance; and
the facilities, infrastructure, instrumentation, and support capabilities needed—
to attract and retain those scientists and engineers; and
to bolster the activities of those scientists and engineers to meet the technology problems of the Department of Defense;
Whereas research and development supported by the Department of Defense has—
led to new products and processes for state-of-the-art Armed Forces weapons and technology; and
technically informed new approaches and concepts of operation that will be needed to keep the Armed Forces ahead of future adversaries of the United States;
Whereas defense laboratories—
are critical elements of the innovation ecosystem; and
compose indispensable elements in the technology transfer community when leveraged with partners in—
State and local governments;
regional organizations;
academia; and
nonprofit research institutions;
Whereas defense laboratories have earned prestigious national and international awards for research and technology transfer efforts, providing a foundation of technological leadership for—
the Armed Forces; and
the United States;
Whereas the innovations that are produced at defense laboratories fuel economic growth by creating new industries, companies, and jobs; and
Whereas April 25, 2019, is an appropriate day to designate as Department of Defense Laboratory Day 2019
: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
supports the designation of April 25, 2019, as Department of Defense Laboratory Day 2019
in celebration of all of the work and accomplishments of the national network of laboratories, research and development centers, and engineering centers that are owned and funded by the Department of Defense (referred to in this resolution as the defense laboratories);
recognizes that a key to maintaining the innovation and competitiveness of the United States in a global economy is to continue to support federally sponsored research and development;
acknowledges that the knowledge base, technologies, and techniques generated in the national network of defense laboratories serve as a foundation for additional efforts relating to the Armed Forces in the defense industrial base;
commits to find ways to increase investment in the national network of defense laboratories in order to increase support of—
federally sponsored research and development;
critical scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this resolution as STEM) personnel;
STEM development activities; and
necessary supporting infrastructure and facilities;
encourages defense laboratories, Federal agencies, and Congress to hold an outreach event on April 25, 2019, Department of Defense Laboratory Day 2019
, to make the public more aware of the important contributions that defense laboratories make to national defense and economic prosperity; and
recognizes the outstanding dedication, qualifications, service, and accomplishments of the scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff of the defense laboratories.