(ASQ, Milwaukee) -- The American Society for Quality’s (ASQ) president E. David Spong testified before Congress in support of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. President Obama proposes to continue the Baldrige Program in FY 2012, but the program is targeted for a significant decrease in funding. Spong’s appearance is the result of ASQ’s Washington D.C. advocacy efforts.

Currently funded at $9.6 million annually based on the enacted FY 2010 budget, the Baldrige Program faces a decrease to a level of $7.7 million. In addition, the budget language directs that a study be conducted in 2012 to transition the Baldrige Program to private funding.

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