Foster To Attend White House Maker Faire

Washington, DC – Tomorrow, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) will attend the first-ever White House Maker Faire. The event will feature innovators and entrepreneurs who are using new tools and techniques to bring their ideas to life. More information on the Maker Faire is available here.

"As a maker myself who has spent countless hours building and tinkering, I am excited that the White House is taking this opportunity to highlight makers and the important role they play in our economy," said Foster. "Innovators and entrepreneurs are the core of our nation's global economic success. It is critical that we support their efforts to develop new ideas, products and technology which will drive our innovation economy."

Foster is a scientist and businessman who created a start-up company at age 19 with his younger brother. That company, Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., now employs hundreds of people in the Midwest and manufactures over half of the theater lighting equipment in the United States.

Additionally, Foster is sponsor of the National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013. The legislation would establish a national Fab Lab network throughout the United States to promote manufacturing in the U.S. and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. The Fab Lab is a state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory in which children and adults can invent, design and manufacture products ranging from tools to artwork to robot parts.

More information on the Fab Lab Act of 2013 is available here.