BELLINGHAM, WA--(Marketwire - January 26, 2011) - SPIE leaders praised President Obama's call in last night's State of the Union address to a renewed commitment to scientific progress, and asserted that the photonics community is ready to lead the way.
"Strengthening America's science R&D output and education standards is vital for the economy. Light-based science and technology -- photonics -- drives many of the solutions to the challenges the President identified," said Robert Lieberman, chair of the Engineering, Science, and Technology Policy committee of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.
"SPIE supports this direction," Lieberman said. "The Society exists to assist industry and researchers in advancing technologies that enable biomedical, sustainable energy, optical telecommunications, security, and other applications that touch our lives on a daily basis and provide jobs at all levels. We are proud to help build the future by using the fascinating phenomena of optics to inspire and educate young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."
Obama likened America's current situation to the early 1960s, when a commitment to research led to huge economic and scientific progress throughout the world.
"Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we'd beat them to the moon," Obama said. "The science wasn't there yet. NASA didn't even exist.
"But after investing in better research and education, we didn't just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.
"This is our generation's Sputnik moment."
Making a distinction between "investing" and "spending," Obama called for dedicated investment in research and education as primary underpinnings to a strong economy.
Obama noted that progress will require collaboration between both political parties in Congress. "We will move forward together, or not at all," he said. "At stake right now is not who wins the next election... At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root."
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 180,000 constituents from 168 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through approximately 25 major technical forums and exhibitions, publications including the SPIE Digital Library, and support for scholarship, grant, and other education programs around the world.
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