Obama unveils innovation strategy

TROY, N.Y., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- President Obama outlined his innovation strategy while weaving in elements of his economic, education and healthcare policies Monday in a speech in Troy, N.Y.

"From biotechnology to nanotechnology, from the development of new forms of energy to research into treatments of ancient diseases, there is so much potential to change our world and improve our lives," Obama said during remarks at Hudson Valley Community College after touring its technology classrooms with Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.

The innovation strategy will "foster new jobs, new businesses and new industries by laying the groundwork and the ground rules to best tap our innovative potential," Obama said.

The economic recovery plan targeted more than $100 billion to innovation projects, ranging from high-tech classrooms to health information technology and from more energy-efficient homes to more fuel-efficient cars, the president said.

"(This) strategy is about far more than recovery; it is about sustained growth and widely-shared prosperity," he said.

The strategy "begins where innovation so often does: in the classroom and in the laboratory -- and in the networks that connect them to the broader economy," the president said. "These are the building blocks of innovation: education, infrastructure, and research."

He also repeated many of the themes he discussed for the past several weeks, highlighting elements of his healthcare and education proposals, as well as noting the economy is picking up.

The question is if we are ready to embrace that potential, if we are ready to lead the way once more," Obama said. "I think we're ready. I've seen it all across America. This generation ... (has) an unparalleled opportunity. We are called upon to help them seize that opportunity."