Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“CEA applauds the President for the focus on innovation in his State of the Union address. As I explain in CEA’s book The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream, innovation is our ‘secret sauce’ and the technology industry’s ceaseless innovation will drive our recovery and our economic future. CEA’s Innovation Movement – more than 110,000 Americans strong – will continue to urge our elected leaders to focus on policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. Reducing the deficit, supporting free trade, attracting the best and brightest and investing in infrastructure and education are key to our recovery, and we support the President’s focus on these issues as part of his innovation-driven agenda.

“Our spotlight on innovation must include trade agreements, as we need overseas markets for U.S. businesses to grow and create American jobs. The Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements will bolster U.S. exports of goods and services and CEA continues to urge swift passage of these FTAs.

“The President also spoke about the importance of broadband and its link to technological leadership. Our nation’s continued movement forward depends on high-speed competitive broadband and finding the best uses for our finite spectrum, whether licensed or unlicensed. Moving the National Broadband Plan forward is crucial, and we appreciate the President’s call for action.

“CEA and its members look forward to working with the President and Congress to ensure our nation’s prosperity and economic recovery.”

Gary Shapiro is the author of the current New York Times bestseller The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream, Comeback-book.com. Learn more about CEA’s Innovation Movement at Innovation-Movement.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

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