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Washington, D.C., Jul 16, 2007 - Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the Congressional Modeling & Simulation Caucus, announced today that the full House is scheduled to consider legislation highlighting the importance of modeling and simulation today.

Congressman Forbes introduced H. Res. 487 last month as bipartisan legislation to formally recognize the contribution of modeling and simulation (M&S) on our nation’s economic prosperity and national security. Eight Members of the M&S Caucus, Congresspersons Mike Conaway (TX-11), Jo Ann Davis (VA-01), Tom Davis (VA-11), Thelma Drake (VA-02), Tom Feeney (FL-24), Ric Keller (FL-08), Solomon Ortiz (TX-27), and Heather Wilson (NM-01) have joined as original cosponsors of this legislation.

“I’m thrilled that the House has recognized the importance of modeling and simulation and has moved this legislation so quickly to consideration in the full House,” Forbes said. “Next week will be an exciting week for the M&S industry on Capitol Hill as Members consider this legislation and as representatives of the M&S industry participate in the Second Annual Modeling & Simulation Expo, the largest M&S event in our nation’s capital.”

H. Res. 487:

· Formally recognizes the contribution of M&S technology to the security and prosperity of the United States;

· Recognizes M&S as a National Critical Technology;

· Acknowledges the significant impacts of M&S on a breadth of fields including defense, space, national disaster response, medicine, transportation and construction;

· Urges Congress to continue to place emphasis on math and science as key disciplines in elementary and secondary education, and encourages the expansion of modeling and simulation within higher education; and,

· Affirms the need to study the national economic impact of this important industry.

Today the scope and influence of M&S reaches well beyond the defense industry. Modeling and simulation has been responsible for the progressive developments in health care, homeland security, construction and transportation. Members of the M&S community come from diverse backgrounds such as psychology, medicine, computer science, mathematics, engineering and physics. Many of the technologies are universally applicable and may be used in multiple fields, including visualization tools, analytical tools, knowledge management and behavioral representations. In addition, M&S provides lower-cost opportunities for joint training and development of operational plans and assessments in dangerous situations, such as warfighting or national disasters.

Founded by Congressman Forbes in 2005, the Congressional Modeling & Simulation Caucus serves as a venue to discuss issues pertaining to modeling and simulation. Historically, the caucus has been focused on M&S as it relates to the defense industry, but has broadened its focus to include M&S applications across all fields. The caucus has grown to 21 total members representing 12 states. To learn more about the Congressional M&S Caucus, visit: http://forbes.house.gov/Biography/mscaucus.htm.

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