SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 28

(By Senators Kessler (Mr. President), Unger, Yost, Miller, Laird, Plymale, McCabe, Wells, Fitzsimmons, Jenkins, Green, Williams and Stollings)

Designating March 11, 2013, as “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol”.

    Whereas, Research and innovation continue to be bed rocks of this nation’s economic strength and vitality; and

    Whereas, Facilitating innovation-based economic development and the growth of entrepreneurial companies are critical to our state’s future and prosperity; and

    Whereas, Seventy percent of U. S. growth in the last fifty years has been due to technology and innovation, and new-economy jobs now make up more than one third of total jobs; and

    Whereas, Entrepreneurs and small businesses create the vast majority of the new jobs in the United States; and

    Whereas, Research and development activities being done in federally funded, university and private laboratories in our state are important for new discoveries, scientific and engineering solutions and potential commercialization opportunities; and

    Whereas, Recent studies point to the need for states to nurture research and development activities, develop innovation assets and grow businesses to diversify their economies; and

    Whereas, A technology-based economic development study by the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice highlighted four key innovation clusters where West Virginia should focus its innovation efforts; and

    Whereas, These four key innovation clusters are advanced energy, chemicals/advanced materials, biometrics and identity management and biotechnology; and

    Whereas, More than eighty organizations, agencies and companies are working together to help advance the state’s innovation and entrepreneurship potential and capacity; and

    Whereas, West Virginia has developed an integrated ecosystem of organizations, agencies and financial firms working collaboratively to spur innovation enterprises and jobs; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby designates March 11, 2013, as “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the value and importance of the state’s innovation industry and is interested in realizing the long-term economic opportunities that an innovation-based economy can provide our state’s citizens; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate expresses its strong support for continued research and development advancements and applauds the collaborative efforts that are demonstrated by the organizations, agencies and companies that are supporting “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol”.