Business Roundtable Urges Congress to Help Math an
Washington, DC, June 28, 2006-- Member companies of Business Roundtable, an association of 160 chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, are joining other companies from across the country in an unprecedented event today to demonstrate to Congress why policies aimed at boosting U.S. competitiveness must be a priority this year.
The Tapping America’s Potential (TAP) “Math and Science Fair” and reception, being held tonight from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in B-357 Rayburn House Office Building, features the latest in innovations from across the U.S. business community. The Roundtable is a founding member of the TAP Campaign.
The Roundtable and its member companies, ranging from Abbott to General Motors to Texas Instruments, and others will be displaying the innovative initiatives and educational programs they have implemented to help sustain and improve U.S. scientific and technological capabilities. The exhibits will also illustrate the importance of federal investments in basic research, as many of the company innovations on display had their foundations in federally funded projects.
“The business community has united around the common goal of keeping America on the cutting edge of innovative research and design,” said Business Roundtable President John J. Castellani. “Whether it be within their industries or in classrooms across America, U.S. employers are working aggressively to ensure that our country maintains its scientific and technological leadership well into the 21st century and beyond.”
Business Roundtable is at the forefront of the business community’s efforts to make improved math and science capabilities a national and legislative priority this year. Since the July 2005 release of the “Tapping America’s Potential” report, the Roundtable has met with policymakers at all levels of government to urge for full funding of programs designed to boost U.S. science and technology leadership, particularly those in the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative. The Roundtable also continues to reach out to stakeholders in the public and private sectors to discuss the growing urgency of this problem and the increased need for solving it. Today’s fair is part of these ongoing outreach efforts.
“We must all – business, policymakers, educators and parents – work together to find ways to encourage our children to study and pursue careers in key technical fields,” continued Castellani. “The TAP Math and Science Fair demonstrates that the U.S. business community is committed to helping develop the next generation of innovators, and we are urging policymakers to make that commitment too.”
