Latest News > Business Groups Commend Senate for Passage of America COMPETES Act

April 26, 2007

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Business Groups Commend Senate for Passage of America COMPETES Act

Applauds Legislative Action on Recommendations in the 2005 "Tapping America's Potential" Report

Washington, D.C. - Tapping America's Potential (TAP), a coalition of 16 prominent business and technology associations committed to bolstering the pipeline of U.S. scientists and engineers, applauded the Senate for passage of S.761, the "America COMPETES Act." This legislation strengthens educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at all levels of education, from kindergarten to graduate school, and provides the infrastructure for innovation by increasing investment in research.

"Today's students are tomorrow's leaders; the future success of our nation and the ability of our youth to succeed in the global marketplace depend our actions today," said John J. Castellani, President of Business Roundtable, a TAP founding member leading the coalition's efforts. "The passage of "The America COMPETES Act" will help the U.S. maintain our scientific and technological leadership."

"This is an important step towards stopping the long running decline in the number of our home-grown engineers and mathematicians, which is an imperative if we are to remain competitive," said Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is also a founding member of TAP. "While other nations are raising the standards and numbers of science and math students, the U.S. cannot sit still. Yesterday's affirmative Senate vote signals a renewed federal commitment to keeping American students in the global race to innovate, develop, and improve."

At the foundation of the TAP coalition is its goal to double the number of U.S. bachelor's degrees in the key fields of science, technology, engineering and math by 2015. Legislation such as bill passed by the Senate is one key element that the coalition, whose members represent the largest and most innovative companies in America, believes must be pursued to attain this goal.

To learn more about the Tapping America's Potential coalition, visit www.tap2015.org.

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TAP is composed of 16 prominent business organizations that represent the largest and most innovative companies in America. They have set the goal of doubling the number of U.S. science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates with bachelor's degrees by 2015.