Contacts:
Debbie Rudolph, IEEE-USA Kevin Marvel,
American Astronomical Society Scientists, Engineers and Business Leaders Call on Congress to Support and Invest in Science and Technology WASHINGTON (02 March 2004) — More than 200 scientists, engineers and business leaders will be in the nation’s capital on 3-4 March to convey to Congress the need for increased and balanced federal investment in research and development essential to U.S. global leadership and strength. Their visit is part of the ninth-annual Congressional Visits Days (CVD). “Federally funded research in science and technology secures the nation’s future,” said Debbie Rudolph, manager, technology policy of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – USA (IEEE-USA). “More than 50 percent of all industrial innovation and growth in the United State since World War II comes from advances pioneered in scientific research.” According to Kevin Marvel, deputy executive officer of the American Astronomical Society, “Now more than ever, the federal commitment to science and technology is crucial to our economy and national security.” The two-day event kicks off on Wednesday with remarks highlighting Fiscal Year 2005 budget issues. Speakers include Dr. Ray Orbach, Department of Energy Office of Science, and Dr. Arden Bement, National Science Foundation interim director. Briefings by senior congressional staff will follow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Auditorium, 1200 New York Ave., N.W. Following a breakfast meeting on 4 March featuring Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.), CVD participants will visit their Members of Congress to discuss our nation’s broad portfolio of investments in science, engineering and technology, and provide a constituent voice to the members. The breakfast meeting takes place in Room 902 of the Hart Senate Office Building. Reps. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and Rush Holt (D-N.J) will receive the George E. Brown, Jr. Science-Engineering-Technology Leadership Award at a 3 March reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-339. CVD is sponsored by the Science-Engineering-Technology Work Group, an information network comprising professional, scientific and engineering societies, higher education associations and institutions of higher learning. The Work Group is concerned about the future vitality of the U.S. science, mathematics and engineering enterprise. For more information, visit http://www.setcvd.org/ ### Media are welcome to attend the briefings, awards function and breakfast, and are invited to interview representatives of the Science-Engineering-Technology Work Group, as well as those visiting their Members of Congress. IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., created in 1973 to advance the public good, while promoting the careers and public-policy interests of the more than 225,000 electrical, electronics, computer and software engineers who are U.S. members of the IEEE. The IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society. For more information, go to www.ieeeusa.org. 1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202 Washington, DC 20036-5104 Phone: 202-785-0017, Fax: 202-785-0835 | Top of Page | News Releases | IEEE News | IEEE | IEEE-USA | Last Updated:
23 January 2004 |