Molecular CEO Ralph Folz Testifies Before U.S. House of Representatives

Testimony urges Congress to consider visa program reforms to increase the availability of highly-skilled talent needed for innovation and job creation

WATERTOWN, Mass. – May 11, 2007 – Molecular, Inc., a leading internet consulting firm, today announced that its CEO Ralph Folz testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday about reforms needed this year to fix the U.S. visa system.  On behalf of TechNet, a bipartisan political network of CEOs that promotes the growth of the innovation economy, Folz testified before the House Committee on Small Business to urge an increase in the availability of highly-skilled talent needed for innovation and job creation. 

“Ensuring that we continue to attract and retain the brightest, most talented people from around the world who can contribute to U.S. innovation leadership is fundamental to supporting America’s global competitiveness,” said Folz in prepared testimony. “Highly-skilled immigration reform is essential to our nation’s continued economic prosperity.”

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently announced that the 20,000 cap on FY 2008 H-1B advanced degree visas for U.S.-educated foreign students has already been reached. TechNet, of which Folz is an active member, believes the cut-off will hurt U.S. businesses immediately, and they are calling for reform and a permanent fix this year to the visa system.

“Over our 13 years in business, some of our best people joined us via the H-1B program.  They are incredibly bright people, and the vast majority of them are interested in building a permanent life in America,” Folz added in his testimony. 

“For the United States to remain the global leader in technology and innovation, we must be able to recruit and retain the world’s best and brightest,” said Lezlee Westine, president and CEO of TechNet.  “TechNet applauds the Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez and the Small Business Committee for holding this important hearing to address reform that is essential to our nation’s competitiveness, innovation and future job creation.”

Click here for the transcript of Folz’s testimony, which contains more data about the issue and its importance to the U.S. economy. 

About TechNet
TechNet is the national, bipartisan network of CEOs that promotes the growth of technology industries and the economy by building long-term relationships between technology leaders and policymakers and by advocating a targeted policy agenda. TechNet's members represent more than one million employees in the fields of information technology, green technology, biotechnology, e-commerce and finance. TechNet has offices in Washington, DC, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Seattle, Boston, Austin, and Orange County (California). Web address: www.technet.org.

About Molecular, Inc.
Molecular, an internet consulting firm, designs and builds digital solutions to help companies increase revenues and decrease operating costs. Since 1994, Molecular has directed successful Web initiatives for the nation's top companies, including Finish Line, Inc., Fidelity Investments, MFS Investment Management, Hewlett-Packard and Talbots. Headquartered in Boston, Molecular also has offices in New York and San Francisco.  For more information, please visit www.molecular.com.