From ISA Past President Kim Miller-Dunn:
This was sent to the Automation Federation board by Mike Marlowe, its director...
Subject: Automation in Manufacturing Recognized By Congress
I am pleased to tell you that on June 30th Senator Barbara Mikulski, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following report language to accompany H. R. 2847 (Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010). Please note the highlighted portion of the report language. H. R. 2847 has passed the House.
From page 25:
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Appropriations, 2009 ............................................................................. $175,000,000
Budget estimate, 2010 ........................................................................... 194,600,000
House allowance .................................................................................... 194,600,000
Committee recommendation ................................................................. 194,600,000
The Committee’s recommendation provides $194,600,000 for Industrial
Technology Services [ITS]. The recommendation is
$19,600,000 above the fiscal year 2009 enacted level and equal to
budget request.
Supporting the Nation’s manufacturers, especially small businesses,
is critical to keeping America innovative in a global marketplace.
ITS provides a bridge for advancing cutting-edge technologies
with cost-saving measures. The Committee is encouraged
by the administration’s healthy request for ITS, which shows a
genuine intention to partner with industry for the benefit of the
Nation’s future. The Committee supports NIST’s requested allocation
of funding for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program
[MEP] and the Technology Innovation Program.
Within MEP, NIST, and its partners are directed to consider the
importance automation plays in accelerating and integrating manufacturing
processes. The topic of automation cuts across all levels
of industry, rather than serving as a stand-alone technology, and
particularly affects the fields of control systems cyber security, industrial
wireless sensors, systems interoperability, and other basic
automation technologies necessary for the success of industrial enterprises.
NIST is encouraged to consult and collaborate with independent
experts in the field of automation to support the agency’s
efforts in working with industry to increase innovation, trade, security,
and jobs.
Senator Mikulski added this report language after a discussion in March with her staff along with Steve Huffman, Chair of the Automation Federation Government Relations Committee, Dean Ford, Maverick Technologies, and Mike Marlowe. This report language clearly recognizes the importance of Automation for the future of manufacturing by Congress. The intent of this report language is NIST working with the Automation Federation.
Thanks to the efforts of Steve Huffman and Dean Ford the Automation Federation has successfully establisheda significant visibility and recognition for automation by our inclusion in the Congressional budget process.
Each one of youthat have spent a life time in an automation field should take satisfaction in this accomplishment for your profession.
Mike
