The legislation is a step in the right direction. It would more clearly
define responsiblity for avoiding confusion over units. However, I
would like the legislation to go a step farther. There needs to be an
intention of phasing out old inch/gallon/pound units. The language is
not strong enough in this respect. An agency needs to be set up that
would coordinate all government agencies(state and local included) to a
transition to the metric system. The metric board of the late 70s
failed because Jimmy Carter appointed people who were not metric
friendly. The board need to understand the issues and have a vision of
an all-metric America.
I was wondering if there is a lobbying group out there that will do what
the USMA cannot do - lobby congress for stronger metric conversion
legislation. That would be a group I would be willing to support
financially. If only the USMA were more active in lobbying Congress,
but from what I understand, they cannot lobby. I have written letters
to senators and congressmen, and while their responses were positive,
Congress is still not taking a leading role in metric conversion.
Unless they take such a role I don't see much more change for the
better. We will continue with more of the same, where we celebrate when
we find a new product in metric units. Where road construction goes
metric only to switch back again.
Jason Darfus wrote:
Rep. Ehlers of Michigan got the 109th Congress off to a nice start with H.R. 33
:
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SUMMARY AS OF:
1/4/2005--Introduced.
Amends the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to require guidelines on government use of the metric system of measurement to require any Federal agency transaction providing for a person to perform scientific or engineering research with Federal funding to include provisions: (1) clearly identifying the extent to which such system or other systems of measurement will be used under the transaction and requiring such use; and (2) assigning such person the financial responsibility for failure to follow such requirements.
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As it related to federal funding, does anyone have any thoughts on the
possibility of USMA receiving grants (either of U.S. or other national origin)
to further promote SI to the American public? I would think Europe, Canada,
Japan, Australia, or China might see some economic benefit to this.
Just to brainstorm a little : I'm thinking billboards, TV commercials and the
like - along the lines of promoting national pride, scientific and economic
competitiveness, international unity. Be Modern, Go Metric. Be progressive,
not regressive -- Go Metric.
As for FPLA, I did not find anything related to this. Any news on anticipated
date of introduction to Congress?
