BIG DATA

Members of the computing research community today praised Congress for passing an economic stimulus package that includes substantial investments in the nation's science and engineering enterprise. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes just over $7 billion in supplemental funding for several key federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Computing Research Association Chair Daniel A. Reed said congressional action to pass the economic recovery legislation shows that members "understand the fierce urgency of innovation to ensure our economic future."

"Congress and the Administration clearly recognize that today's urgent economic challenges require strategic investment in research and research infrastructure to spawn tomorrow's great discoveries and innovations," Reed said. "This funding will also provide an immediate jolt to an innovation ecosystem that is key to ensuring our long-term economic success and quality of life."

Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist Peter Lee echoed Reed's assessment. "The investments in education, research and scientific research facilities in this bill can be put to use right now to create a stronger, more resilient economy and a more highly-skilled, competitive workforce in this country," Lee said. "The investments in research are both the fuel for our long-term innovation and a down payment on tomorrow's infrastructure."

University of Washington computer scientist Edward Lazowska said the community was heartened when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named her four priorities for the bill as "science, science, science and science," and was "absolutely thrilled" when it became clear that those priorities had survived the conference process with the Senate. "Science lays the foundation for the future. Like the Internet and Google in previous decades, today's computing research will become tomorrow's vital infrastructure. America will be far stronger for the investments that Congress and the Administration have made"