Washington, D.C., January 31, 2006 - Electronic Industries Alliance President and CEO Dave McCurdy issued the following statement in reaction to the Bush Administration's 2006 State of the Union Address, and President Bush's emphasis on advancing U.S. competitiveness as a focus of his Administration:

"The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) commends President Bush for highlighting the need to improve U.S. competitiveness as noted during the President's State of the Union Address tonight. Maintaining our economic leadership as a nation in the global economy means maintaining our status as a global innovation leader. In focusing attention on the need for a workforce well-versed in math, science and technology curriculum, the President underscored the importance of efforts by groups such as the National Science and Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP), an education foundation started by EIA. In emphasizing the need for long-term basic research that can fuel future technological innovations, the President reiterated key components outlined by former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine and the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) in the NAS 2005 report entitled "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" and by EIA in its 2004 policy playbook, The Technology Industry at an Innovation Crossroads. With his State of the Union focus on competitiveness and other innovation-related needs, President Bush has provided significant support to issues with considerable bipartisan support in Congress. Bolstering U.S. competitiveness will require a frank policy debate and tough decisions on funding. Nonetheless, as the leading advocate in Washington, DC, for the U.S. high-tech industry, EIA and its 1,300 member companies are eager to work with the Bush Administration and Congress to develop a national vision and strategy on innovation and global competitiveness. The need for this vision has never been more vital in a world in which China, India and a host of other countries are becoming "innovation nations" ready to compete against us. If we do not determine what tomorrow looks like, others will determine it for us."

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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).