Baldrige Advocates Continue to Urge Legislator Support

For Immediate Release

Program Helps U.S. Organizations Remain Competitive, Promote Economic Development and Create Jobs

Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 16, 2011 — ASQ, the non-profit organization that administers the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, is disappointed in a U.S. Senate subcommittee vote to withdraw funding for the successful program in the proposed 2012 federal budget.
The Baldrige Program provides improvement practices, principles and methodologies to strengthen U.S. organizations — enhancing their competitiveness, quality and productivity.
On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science voted to deny funding for the program for fiscal year 2012. In prior years federal funding has been joined by funds from the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, along with application fees and the service of nearly 1,000 volunteers to carry out the program.
“The Baldrige Program has been recognized as a model public-private partnership, and we are disappointed in the decision made Wednesday to eliminate its funding,” said Paul Borawski, CEO of ASQ. “Taxpayers have a vested interest in the improved performance of schools, the improved performance of healthcare facilities, and the increased competitiveness of companies nationwide. It’s clear we have more work to do educating Congress of the program’s value.”
In addition to revisiting the issue with the subcommittee members, advocates are setting sights on the House and Senate committees, where the Baldrige funding levels are further considered before appropriations are legislated. In addition to ASQ, the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation and the State Alliance for Performance Excellence, other advocates for federal funding of the Baldrige program include AARP, the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Association of School Administrators.
An independent economic study of the Baldrige program conservatively estimated a 250-to-1 return on the government’s investment, providing nearly $25 billion in benefits to the economy. Baldrige award recipients that used the program methodology for six continuous years showed a median growth of 57 percent, revenue growth of 93 percent, and job growth of 63 percent. During the same period, industries from which the recipients came had 3.2 percent of job growth.
“Congress should be shining a light on Baldrige recipients and point with pride to their accomplishments as an example of what the best can do,” Borawski said. “Baldrige recipients are creating jobs, saving lives and enriching students. It’s discouraging that the CJS Subcommittee doesn’t understand how valuable the government’s role has been. In these challenging times, model programs — like Baldrige — should be showcased, not eliminated.”
“This program is helping businesses, schools and healthcare organizations promote economic development by creating jobs and increasing tax revenue while saving taxpayer dollars,” said Jim Rooney, ASQ Board chair. “In short, the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program makes America more competitive.”

About ASQ
ASQ, a global community of people dedicated to quality, has been a leader in promoting the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program since its inception in 1987, and has helped to expand the award to include every sector of the economy. ASQ members have served as examiners, senior examiners, judges, and overseers of the program. ASQ also administers the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program under contract to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. ASQ is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with national service centers in China, India, and Mexico. Learn more about ASQ’s members, mission, technologies, and training at www.asq.org.