PRINTER'S NO. 553
No. 49 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY DENT, BRIGHTBILL, THOMPSON, LEMMOND, ERICKSON, CORMAN, RAFFERTY, HELFRICK, PUNT, PILEGGI, MADIGAN, KITCHEN, LOGAN, COSTA, STOUT, KASUNIC, MUSTO, SCHWARTZ, O'PAKE, WONDERLING, EARLL, TOMLINSON, ARMSTRONG, MOWERY, D. WHITE, GREENLEAF, RHOADES, C. WILLIAMS AND STACK, MARCH 17, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 17, 2003
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1 To recognize and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ben 2 Franklin Technology Partners program and its continued growth 3 and success in and for the State of Pennsylvania. 4 WHEREAS, Ben Franklin, as a visionary, helped sustain the 5 American economy through his inventions and personal investment 6 in innovative ideas which gave him great respect and wealth, and 7 he believed that the best way to address a specific societal 8 need is to invest in innovative ideas which give way to economic 9 growth; and 10 WHEREAS, Ben Franklin's concept of newer and better methods 11 for doing things is the keystone principle of the State program 12 named for him, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners; and 13 WHEREAS, Recognition should be given that the Ben Franklin 14 Technology Partners exemplifies Ben Franklin's vision for future 15 economic growth; and 16 WHEREAS, The Ben Franklin Technology Partners provides 17 leadership, mentorship and investment capital to entrepreneurs
1 with vision; and 2 WHEREAS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners provides young, 3 start-up businesses with innovative ideas and helps existing 4 businesses looking to evolve utilizing modern, more efficient 5 technologies; and 6 WHEREAS, The Ben Franklin Technology Partners is a conduit 7 linking talented ideas and bringing together the right 8 combination of resources to create new businesses, to modernize 9 existing businesses and to create jobs and secure Pennsylvania's 10 economic future through technological innovation; and 11 WHEREAS, The operational structure of the Ben Franklin 12 Technology Partners is designed to be adaptable and flexible, 13 always creating new visions, seeking innovation and investing in 14 the entrepreneurial spirit that secures Pennsylvania's future 15 competitiveness in a global economy; and 16 WHEREAS, The Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been 17 recognized nationally and internationally as a successful 18 economic development model and its proven record of success in 19 economic development combined with a strong vision for the 20 future, positions Pennsylvania to be a leader in an ever- 21 changing economic environment; therefore be it 22 RESOLVED (the House of Representatives concurring), That the 23 20th anniversary of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners be 24 recognized and celebrated as a time to reflect, commemorate and 25 look to the future as Pennsylvania continues to grow and compete 26 in today's global economy; and be it further 27 RESOLVED, That the Ben Franklin Technology Partners be 28 recognized as a proven leader in economic development; and be it 29 further 30 RESOLVED, That the Ben Franklin Technology Partners be 20030S0049R0553 - 2 -
1 recognized as a vital component of Pennsylvania's growing 2 economy, delivering crucial resources at businesses' most 3 vulnerable periods as it did 20 years ago, investing seed 4 capital in promising early-stage, technology-based enterprises, 5 advancing risk capital to establish businesses for process and 6 product development activities, providing hands-on technical and 7 business expertise to spur enterprise growth and accelerate 8 commercialization activities and delivering customized solutions 9 which draw on an extensive network of public and private 10 resources at universities, Federal laboratories and research 11 institutions; and be it further 12 RESOLVED, That the Ben Franklin Technology Partners be 13 encouraged to continue to embrace change, maintain a position on 14 the cutting edge of technology and secure the future for all 15 Pennsylvanians. B28L82MSP/20030S0049R0553 - 3 -