BOSTON, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a speech by the Honorable Jeff Bingaman, United States Senator, New Mexico, at the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, July 27, 2004:

Building a stronger America begins at home.  The challenge and opportunity we as Americans have in this election year is to get back to that important work of building a stronger America.  In America, our great strength is our ability to invent, to create, to innovate.  And through that invention and innovation we have created good paying jobs and we have built strong communities.

The foundation of that innovation begins with our investment in the hard sciences and in technological research.  Unfortunately, over the past four years federal support for research and development in the physical sciences has stagnated.  Simply put, U.S. leadership in science and technology has not been a priority for the current president and administration.  And our standing in the world and our ability to compete across the world have suffered.

John Kerry recognizes that unless America retains its leadership in science and technology, the jobs of the future will go elsewhere.  In a Kerry administration, the U.S. will once again lead the world in science and technology.  John Kerry supports efforts to help U.S. manufacturers keep jobs here, at home.

Today those efforts are being undercut by the current administration. For more than a decade, we have funded a major effort to help U.S. technology- based companies compete in the world market, the nation's Advanced Technology Program.  It's a program that works.  But it is a program this administration wants to eliminate.

John Kerry supports increased funding for that proven effort.  Helping U.S. companies succeed results in good jobs for American workers, and is an essential ingredient for a strong America.  And we need a skilled workforce to fill those jobs.

John Kerry understands that preparation of that workforce starts in our schools.  Our schools have too often been shortchanged, by over $9 billion this year alone.  Key programs like dropout prevention, smaller schools funding, gifted education, and career and technical education are all being shortchanged.

With John Kerry as president, America will once again lead the world in science and in technological innovation, and our workers will have the skills to tackle the jobs of the future.

To realize that vision for a better America, join me in electing John Kerry and John Edwards as president and vice president of this great country.

Source: Democratic National Convention Committee

CONTACT:  Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee,
+1-617-366-3100

Web site:  http://www.dems2004.org/