Washington, D.C., January 26, 2006 - Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) President and CEO Dave McCurdy issued the following statement in reaction to yesterday's introduction of the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) bills:

"EIA commends the bipartisan, three-pronged approach to bolstering America's innovation infrastructure outlined in the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) bills.  The sponsors of these bills -- Senators Alexander (R-TN), Bingaman (D-NM),  Domenici (R-NM) and Mikulski (D-MD) - have done their innovation homework by incorporating proposals and recommendations from the business and science communities that are intent on improving U.S. technological capabilities in the global marketplace.

"The issues and recommendations addressed in the PACE bills - improvements to U.S. Department of Energy research activities; math, science and engineering education; and tax incentives for innovation-based business activities such as R&D - are well aligned with those outlined by EIA in its policy playbook, The Technology Industry at an Innovation Crossroads.

"The work done by the PACE legislation sponsors, coupled with legislation recently introduced by Senators Ensign (R-NV) and Lieberman (D-CT), suggests that Congress is ready to debate and enact policies that can strengthen the American innovation infrastructure.  As part of the President's January 31st State of the Union Address, EIA is also calling on the Bush Administration to focus attention on innovation by working with the Alliance and U.S. industry to develop a national vision and begin the process of establishing priorities.

"These efforts will not come without considerable price tags, and the needs of an innovation-based national economy must be weighed against other equally important goals. Nonetheless, the cost must be borne and the debate must begin. In 2004, EIA called for the creation of a national technology vision and strategy. The call for that vision and strategy is no less urgent today.  We applaud the work of Senators Alexander, Bingaman, Domenici and Mikulski and urge Congress to focus on the vital issue of innovation addressed in the PACE legislation."

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About EIA: The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is the leading advocate in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. high-tech industry. The Alliance, which traces its origins to the Radio Manufacturers Association (chartered in 1924), is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is to promote the market development and competitiveness of the $400 billion U.S. high-tech and electronics industries through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA's corporate members - nearly 1,300 - provide products and services ranging from microscopic electronic components to state-of-the-art defense, space and industry high-tech systems, as well as the full range of telecommunications and consumer electronics products. Headquartered in Arlington, Va., the Alliance is made up of the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association (ECA); the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA); JEDEC; the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); and leading consumer electronics companies who participate in EIA's Environmental Issues Council. EIA is also heavily involved in cyber security issues through the Internet Security Alliance (ISAlliance), and education issues, through the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP).