Below is a message sent to OSTP, NIST, NSF and forwarded to you. Thanks!
Tim ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tim Williamson <[email protected]> Date: Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 7:28 PM Subject: Exports, Imports, STEM and SI Metric Mr. Kumar Garg, Policy Analyst Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive Office of the President Thanks for taking my call. It is always good to talk with you. It's also good to have a friend of SI in the Executive Offices, particularly one who clearly understands the connection between improved trade and commerce, science and technology innovation, and the economic and jobs future of our nation. SI in STEM and in trade and commerce would greatly improve business growth, science and technology innovation and business profitability particularly when commercial interests are allowed to respond to market demands, and when our children are more thoroughly taught SI in the classroom. Fully implementing SI in STEM programs funded by the NSF through NIST and others in the Department of Commerce, or by NASA, or DoD, or Department of Energy, by the foundational step of encouraging and removing all hurdles and obstacles to making SI the essential unit of measurement and weights for all programs funded by those organizations will go along way toward giving our nation the best possible chance at a greatly improved future in terms of trade, commerce, science, and technology. Since NIST has implemented the dual-labeling or metric only optional labeling requirement found in NIST HB 130 at section 11.33, where all but two states have agreed to the changes, many believe it is time for US exporters to use metric only labeling for their international shipments. This action would open up additional trade opportunities around the world, particularly where there have been ongoing disputes regarding US weights and measures as opposed to SI metric used by the rest of the planet and professionals alike. International businesses which import their products to the US now have the authority to also use 'metric only' labeling of their products since states and NIST, and other agencies in the Department of Commerce and in the federal government, recognize as lawful, the optional dual labeling requirement. My state of Alabama is one of the two states yet to pass legislation on optional dual labeling. I am working on this now and will be meeting for a working lunch on April 1, 2011 with State Senator Allen and State Rep. Merrill to discuss the necessary changes which need to be made to the Alabama Code to allow this to happen. Alabama has a substantial export base, and these changes will make Alabama more competitive by giving businesses the option to use metric only labeling on all their products for consumption domestically and internationally. These are proposed business friendly changes to the code that will have no fiscal impact on the state budget. The country is adapting to the SI world in which we live. What must we do to encourage these steps. There are those however in various organizations at the federal level and state level who would rather we remain in the dark ages. Some are even trying to get the WTO to allow the US to use colonial units of weights and measure when they deal with the rest of our world. This is unacceptable. Such a move would be a serious mistake and a major move backward for the nation and our children. It is a serious mistake to revert to an antiquated (colonial or imperial based) system of measurement in our trade relations with other nations. It is counter-productive and not a profitable option for business or for our nation. Is it possible for the President to get involved in this and possibly issue a series of executive orders? What can we do? I'll work with you free of charge to get this going in the right direction. Whatever it takes. We can not allow the country to go backward. * * *Thanks! * * * *Tim Williamson* * 15926 Hwy 216 Brookwood, Alabama 35444-3703 USA 1-205-765-6090 *
