I don't believe he can push for that, as there have been previous backlashes supported by Congress, which has passed new laws (the Federal highway metric debacle, and within Federal building construction, bricks and lighting fixtures). We can't expect that and should be careful not to ask for it. However, we can still make some suggestions that move the needle, based on metric (supposedly) being our preferred system of measure: *Any law which specifies or accepts ONLY Customary measure should be modified to require dual (or permissive metric-only), Customary-only must never suffice. Examples: Beer, meat, deli, random weight produce, in terms of labeling. Many other examples exist in other areas. *As metric (SI) is the preferred system of measure, permissive metric-only is ALWAYS an acceptable alternative to dual (but dual is permitted, thus metric is never required). *Government agencies must obey EO12770 and accept metric data from and provide metric data to citizens who have voluntarily converted to converted to metric. No forcing us to provide Customary weight and height for driver's licenses, passports, etc, or giving us Customary-only weather, or Dept, of Energy data. Voluntary metric could be a LOT more metric than it is now without being forced. I think the requirement for dual would be enough of a PITA that going metric would look more attractive. But the requirement for dual or permissive-metric-only must be UNIVERSAL.
--- On Mon, 11/9/09, Edgar Warf <[email protected]> wrote: From: Edgar Warf <[email protected]> Subject: [USMA:46145] Re: Fwd: News Release: Senate Confirms Patrick Gallagher as 14th NIST Director To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, November 9, 2009, 6:14 PM I know the NIST has been supportive of metrication efforts, especially as it relates to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), but I have to ask the question. Will Dr. Gallagher push for more consistent and exclusive use of metrication within certain industries or segments of the U.S. economy (transportation, freight, consumer products, etc.)? If so, U.S. metrication efforts may get some needed traction. After all, how do you eat an elephant (metaphorically speaking)? One bite at a time. On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 2:10 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: NEWS RELEASE FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Friday, November 6, 2009 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 202-482-4883 SENATE CONFIRMS DR. PATRICK GALLAGHER AS 14TH NIST DIRECTOR WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Patrick D. Gallagher by unanimous consent last evening as the 14th director of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Gallagher has worked at NIST since 1993 as a scientist and as a laboratory director. He has carried out the functions of the director in his current position as deputy director since September 2008. President Obama nominated Gallagher, 46, to his new post on September 10, 2009. "NIST is a unique agency with a strong culture of world-class scientific achievement and is critically important to the nation's ability to innovate and create jobs. Dr. Gallagher is a top-notch scientist, administrator, and proven leader," U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. "We expect him to continue his capable stewardship of NIST as we tackle complex problems like cyber security, developing an interoperable ‘smart’ energy grid, standardizing electronic health records and advancing the manufacturing sector." "I am humbled and honored to serve as the next Director of NIST," Gallagher said. "NIST is at an important juncture in its history. We have a world-class workforce, state-of-the-art research facilities, and the opportunity to make a real difference helping find practical, innovative solutions to some of the nation’s toughest technical challenges." Gallagher has a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught high-school math and science for a year after receiving his B.A. in physics and philosophy from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Gallagher came to the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) in 1993 to pursue research in neutron and X-ray instrumentation, and accompanying studies of the properties of technologically important "soft" materials such as polymers, liquids and gels. In 2000, Gallagher was a NIST agency representative for the White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and became active in U.S. policy for scientific user facilities. At the Office of Science and Technology Policy, he served as chair of the Interagency Working Group on neutron and light source facilities. In 2006, he was awarded a Department of Commerce Gold Medal, the department’s highest award, in recognition of this work. In 2004, he became director of the NCNR, a national user facility for neutron research that is one of the most heavily used facilities of its type in the nation. A native of Albuquerque, N.M., Gallagher lives with his wife and three sons in Gaithersburg, Md. Founded in 1901, NIST is a nonregulatory agency of the Commerce Department that promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. # # # Note: An image of Dr. Gallagher is available at http://patapsco.nist.gov/imagegallery//details.cfm?imageid=698
