Statement on the Announcement of Congressman Doyle’s Retirement

“On behalf of the Carnegie Mellon University community, we thank Congressman Mike Doyle for his more than 26 years of service to Pittsburgh and our nation. His steadfast commitment to the region’s innovation ecosystem has transformed Western Pennsylvania and helped to create a brighter future for its citizens, including countless students.

Congressman Doyle has been a passionate supporter of research and innovation throughout his time in Congress, and he innately grasped its potential to transform our economy. Elected in the mid-90s as  Pittsburgh was battling the downsizing of its industrial and economic foundations in the steel industry, Mike recognized that “eds and meds” were the key to the region’s future and could provide pathways to broad-based innovation. He positioned himself in Congress to become one of the most senior and respected leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and its sweeping jurisdiction enabled him to impact a wide range of policy areas – from health to energy to communications to transportation. As cofounder of the bipartisan Congressional Robotics Caucus, he has been a driving force behind national investment in robotics and advanced manufacturing research and has played a major role in establishing the region as a testbed for these emerging technologies. His unwavering support for technological innovation, as well as innovation in the way government, industry and academia collaborate, have enabled the region to transform itself into a major 21st century global leader in science, technology, and medicine. Current and future generations of entrepreneurs and innovators will continue to benefit from his vision and leadership.”

— Farnam Jahanian, President, Carnegie Mellon University