; Whereas safety, reliability, and durability of mechanical products and systems have critical implications on our global reputation with respect to trade and exported goods; Whereas reduction of friction and increasing durability of artificial joints, prosthetics, and implants are crucial to maintaining quality of life for veterans and the aging population; Whereas tribology is used to improve everyday personal care products such as toothpaste, skin creams, and hair products; Whereas tribology principles are crucial to our national defense and homeland security through the use of lighter-weight weapon systems, more efficient and safe operation in a wide range of environments, higher reliability, longer life, and reduced maintenance; Whereas scientific understanding of friction and wear loss improves maintenance and reliability of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure, resulting in a better return on public funding and gains in public safety; Whereas mining safety and reliability and durability of mining equipment can be improved through proper use of tribology; Whereas reliability, function, and durability of outer space mechanisms and rockets are essential for future space missions; and Whereas the enormous potential of tribology in solving global challenges is hampered by limited investments in research, thus limiting innovations in new materials and lubrication technologies: Now, therefore, be it