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26 January 2012
OSA Applauds President Obama's Focus on Technology and Innovation in State of the Union Address
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lyndsay Meyer
The Optical Society
+1.202.416.1435
lmeyer@osa.org
OSA Applauds President Obama's Focus on Technology and Innovation in State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 – The Optical Society (OSA) today commended President Barack Obama for his commitment to research and development (R&D), innovation, and technology in this week’s State of the Union address. OSA CEO Elizabeth Rogan released the following statement:
“The President’s commitment to the investment in basic research in his State of the Union Address is of great importance to our community. He emphasized the outcomes gained through these long-term investments. One such example is the laser. Fifty years ago the laser, first demonstrated as a result of federally-funded research, had few known applications. Today the laser is virtually everywhere – from DVD players, to fiber optics, precision manufacturing tools, and cutting-edge medical imaging devices.
The investment in science and technology results in economic growth, as partnerships between private industry and government-funded labs or universities have given rise to new technologies, products, businesses, and jobs. The global optics and photonics industry will continue to play a role in high-quality manufacturing jobs, green technologies, improvements in networking and communications devices and more.
It is encouraging to hear the President call for sustained federal investments in basic research and OSA looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration on these issues in the second half of the 112th Congress.”
About OSA
Uniting more than 130,000 professionals from 175 countries, the Optical Society (OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916, OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
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