Elle Ourso Writing Samples

ELLE OURSO
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Writing Samples Wall Street Journal OpEd

How to Close the Skills Gap According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. currently has approximately three million job openings, all waiting to be filled. With so many Americans out of work, what is the delay? Workers want to work, and so many businesses want to hirebut there is a widening "skills gap" that prevents many Americans from filling the jobs of the 21st century economy. If we want to get our economy back on track and get workers back on the job, we will have to address this issue in a better way. Consider this: According to a report by the National Commission on Adult Literacy, 90 million adults have literacy skills so low that success in postsecondary education and training is becoming more and more challenging. Anthony Carnevale of Georgetown University, using Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, reports that of the nearly 50 million new jobs the BLS projects to be created by 2018, 30 million will require recognized postsecondary credentials. However, there will be three million too few workers with these credentials. Meanwhile, high-school graduation rates are falling1.2 million students in America drop out of school every year, and young adults are now less educated than their parents' generation was. A recent report on this issue from the perspective of CEOs and college presidents found that more than half of the companies surveyed reported a challenge in finding candidates with the right skills. Of the smaller businesses, 67% said finding skilled workers was difficult. A Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index Survey reveals that while half of small-business owners hired new workers in 2010, 42% of these hired "fewer" [employees] than needed." Sixty-two percent of that group said this was because it was "hard to find qualified employees for [the] positions available." Adding to the urgency of the situation is the reality that the U.S. competes in a global economy, and businesses today take stock of assets around the globe when they make investment decisions. The sad fact is that we spend considerably less than other developed countries on labor-market policies, including work-force training and job-search programs. At the individual level, the U.S. invested only $908 per labor-market participant$84 dollars, or 9.2%, less than the average amount spent by other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). We believe that the skills gap is a consequence of our failure to seriously invest in the education of America's work force. Without an educated pool of workers from which to hire, small businesses are bearing the financial burden of teaching these skills. John Russo, the president of Scientific Analytical Solutions in North Kingston, R.I., recently talked to the AP about the problem his small business faces: "It's very difficult to find the right person, and there's all walks of life trying to find jobs. I honestly think there's a large swath of unemployable. They don't have any skills at all." The Small Business Administration (SBA) hears the same sentiments from those on the front lines in its field offices across the country. At a recent roundtable organized by the Senate Small Business
Entrepreneurship Committee, SBA district directors repeatedly cited the alarming, widening skills gap in the nation as preventing small businesses from expanding. As we work to create jobs and get our economy back on track, closing this skills gap needs to be a top priority. A critical first step: reauthorizing and reforming the Workforce Investment Act, our nation's foundational federal work-force development policy. We also need to expand innovative approaches that have produced results, such as career pathways programs that provide labor-market information to students and job seekers about in-demand jobs, and the skills and education necessary to get them. Other important elements of tackling this problem include integrating education and work-based learning, and supporting strategies that allow learners to work while receiving training (also known as "earn and learn" strategies). We should also support publicprivate partnerships that draw on the expertise of successful members of the business community to help provide assistance and job-preparation advice to our work force. Building a bigger and more highly skilled work force will help our small businesses step up to global competition. There's no excuse to delay getting to work on the problem any longer.
Opening Statement for Hearing Reauthorization of SBIR and STTR Programs

Good Morning. I would like to call to order this hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. I want to thank the witnesses for juggling their busy schedules to be here. The purpose of todays hearing is to discuss reauthorization of the federal governments two largest research and development programs for small, highly innovative companies in America -- the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These programs were created in 1982 and 1992 respectively by Senator Warren Rudman and Congressmen John LeFalce and Ike Skelton. Unfortunately, these programs have been operating by short-term extensions since October 2008, and it is a priority for me, and I believe for this Committee, to adopt a comprehensive, long-term reauthorization bill as soon as possible, but certainly before the current extension expires on May 31st. The Agencies of the federal government that participate in the programs and the entrepreneurs that depend on their smooth operation deserve our best efforts. Of course, we arent in this mess for lack of trying. This Committee, under my leadership, and also under the leadership of Senators Snowe and Kerry, has tried since 2006 to get a bill to the President to provide long-term reauthorization to operate these programs. Weve passed bills out of this Committee and through the full Senate numerous times with broad bipartisan support. Weve also successfully attached this reauthorization legislation to must-pass bills, like the annual National Defense Authorization Acts, with the help of Senators Levin and former House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, only to be scuttled by conference decisions. However, in December of last year, we were able to pass and send to the House a new compromise that blended the House and Senate bills bringing together advocates that had been divided for about six years. Representatives of the two key negotiators of that deal will testify today the Biotechnology Industry Organizatin (BIO) and the Small Business Technology Coalition (SBTC). In addition to BIO and SBTC, the compromise continues to have the support of the National Small Business Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the NFIB, the National Venture Capital Association, local technology groups, and universities such as LSU, Louisiana Tech and the University of Akron. I will submit the letters of support for the record. No other SBIR and STTR reauthorization bill in Congress, up to this point, has had the support of all these organizations. It is a delicate balance, and I fully appreciate the concessions everyone has made. For example, weve compromised with an eight-year reauthorization instead of a permanent reauthorization. This compromise will not only give small businesses the confidence to invest in these programs, but also preserve the integrity of a program that has a history of creating jobs in America. These programs are providing the government and the private sector with cost-effective technology and scientific solutions to challenging programs. Take Louisiana for exampleA state well known for its seafood and oil industries. They are home to Mezzo Technologies. Mezzo received $99,000 in grant funding to develop the radiator that helps the Bradley Tank keep its engine cool. You may not realize that soldiers will soon have advanced technology heating and
cooling system suits thanks to a company in the small town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, R-BAT. R-BAT received more than $99,000 to jump start their research. These are just two simple success stories from a long list of small businesses with innovative ideas from the SBIR and STTR programs. We will be happy to distribute success stories from around the country that the staff has compiled. Another example, in our ranking members home state of Maine, one small company developed controls that monitor the accuracy in medical test results for leukemia patients with a $700,000 SBIR grant. At the start, Maine Molecular Quality Control could not function without SBIR funding, but today, they are completely supported by their own revenues. One of our witnesses today is Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Co-Founder of Qualcomm. Through their time in the program, the company received roughly $1.5 million in awards. Over the last 25 years, Qualcomms innovations in wireless communications technology have become the backbone of our communication infrastructure worldwide. A company that started with only 35 employees now has 16,000 worldwide. With a market capitalization of $80 billion, paying hundreds of millions in taxes each year to state, local and federal governments, Qualcomm is a very good investment for the taxpayer. As we will hear from testimony today, According to a San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce study conducted in 2008, Qualcomms total economic impact to the San Diego region was approximately $5.5 billion in 2007. Maybe you woke up this morning and picked up your electronic toothbrush? You can thank an SBIR grant for keeping off the plaque and gingivitis too. SBIR funding helped Optiva Corporation create the SONICARE mechanism inside electronic toothbrushes with grants equating $100,000 in 1995 and nearly $750,000 in 1998. Finally, we are able to communicate easily in disaster zones using technology from a small company GATR [GATOR] out of Huntsville, Alabama. With more than $1.2 million dollars in grant funding, GATR Technologies created the inflatable antenna which provides emergency internet access, cell phone coverage, and phone lines over satellite networks. We used the prototype during Katrina and it came to first responders aid after the quake in Haiti. These gave advanced technologies, developed by businesses that could have started in your garage, a chance to compete with larger businesses out there. Or, they are the brain child of a scientist with a dream who took this program and made their dream an innovation. We find these new technologies thanks to a grant system that works and brings results to the government and private sector. Today, it is time to hear from some success stories, a technology expert who has thoroughly examined the programs effectiveness and merits for continuation, and organization representatives to explain why their members support the program and our compromise. On a more personal note, I would like to congratulate NiFTy Technology in Ruston, Louisiana on being awarded the Tibbets Award from the SBA for their outstanding work in the SBIR program. I would now like to turn it over to our Ranking Member Olympia Snowe, for her opening statement.
Press Release Discussing National Export Strategy and Jobs Act Provision
Landrieu Comments on the Release of the 2011 National Export Strategy Also calls on the SBA to Appoint an Associate Administrator for International Trade. WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today commented on the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committees (TPCC) release of the 2011 National Export Strategy, which outlines the Administrations plan for increasing U.S. exports in 2011. The 2011 strategy focuses on the Administrations progress in implementing the recommendations made by the Presidents Export Promotion Cabinet as part of the National Export Initiative (NEI), which seeks to double U.S. exports by 2015 and create two million new American jobs. With 95% of the worlds customers located outside of our borders, our small businesses cannot afford to miss out on opportunities that will allow them to expand their business globally, especially when sales at home are low, said Senator Landrieu. I am pleased to see that the promotion of export opportunities for our small business continues to be a top priority for the Administration, as evidenced by the progress outlined in the 2011 strategy. However, there is still much work to be done and if we are to achieve the Presidents ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports and creating two million new American jobs, it is critical that the Administration move forward with other complementary initiatives aimed at increasing small business exporting opportunities, including the full implementation of the exporting provisions enacted by the Small Business Jobs Act. Today, Senator Landrieu also sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding the Agencys progress in implementing a key provision from the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 [Public Law 111-240]. Section 1203 of the legislation directed the SBA to appoint an Associate Administrator to head the Office of International Trade and coordinate the agencys export promotion activities. In the letter, Senator Landrieu highlighted the importance of filling this position in light of the significant number of pending Administration initiatives aimed at increasing export opportunities for small businesses, including the NEI. Senator Landrieu wrote: Although the Administration has taken steps to fulfill its statutory obligations by temporarily designating a current SBA employee as Acting Associate Administrator for International Trade, I am concerned that this position has yet to be filled with a permanent, full-time appointment. As you know, the intent of the Small Business Jobs Act was to provide the small business community with immediate relief through, among other initiatives, improved access to exporting and business development opportunities in foreign markets. Key to the success of these efforts is having strong leadership in charge of the Office of International Trade, ensuring that the many changes made by this law are being swiftly and properly implemented. Senator Landrieu continued: With these factors in mind, I urge you to fulfill the SBAs statutory obligation by moving swiftly to appoint a permanent, full time and qualified candidate to the position of Associate Administrator for International Trade. This letter comes on the heels of yesterdays letter to the SBA as part of the Chair Landrieus continuing oversight of the implementation of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Senator Landrieu chaired a hearing last
month to examine the federal governments implementation of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, signed into law by the President last year. Representatives from the SBA as well as a number of small business owners testified before the Small Business Committee regarding the Agencys progress in implementing many provision included in the law.

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Writing Samples Wall Street Journal OpEd

Opening Statement for Hearing Reauthorization of SBIR and STTR Programs

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