Congressman Davis' Supercomputer Legislation Passes House
Computer Labs to be constructed in Oak Ridge, TN November 18, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Lincoln Davis praised today's passage of H.R. 4516 as a great step towards ensuring America's place as the world leader in supercomputing technology. "With today's vote Congress has made a decision to build the fastest and most efficient computers in the world. This sends a strong message of America's commitment towards leading the world in the research and development of supercomputing technology, as well as in the field of science and engineering."

H.R. 4516, the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004, more than adequately responds to reports from the Administration and the National Academy of Sciences, which acknowledged the United State's supercomputing facilities were inadequate and that the U.S. was falling behind other nations, most notably Japan, in the field. The bill authorizes $165 million over three years for the Department of Energy to build supercomputing labs to allow for the most advanced research possible in the fields of science and engineering.

"I am also pleased to report that the majority of the $165 million will go towards computer lab construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory here in Tennessee," said Davis. "Once again intense efforts to strengthen our national security and expand the areas of human technological understanding will take place in Tennessee."

Supercomputing technology will enable scientists and engineers to improve the country's national security, as well as improve research efficiency and capability in alternative energy sources, space exploration, and earth sciences. H.R. 4516 passed by unanimous consent and should be quickly signed into law by the President.