Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

05 February 2003

The Honorable Ted Stevens
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The IEEE-USA urges your support for passage of legislation that will fully fund the “Help America Vote Act” (PL 107-252), as passed last year with strong bi-partisan support.  That bill authorizes $3.9 billion over three fiscal years, beginning with $2.16 billion in FY 2003.

We believe that these funds, appropriated at this time, are important for the States and localities in meeting the goals highlighted in the recent Congressional legislation.  This legislation was heralded for its contribution to improvements in our voting systems throughout the U.S. and timely passage of the accompanying appropriations will keep our Nation on track to meeting these goals.

The IEEE-Standards Association, through its project P1583, has been working with the Federal Election Commission, National Association of State Election Directors, American National Standards Institute and others on a consensus standard that will provide valuable insights and improve the timetable required for implementation of this important legislation.

IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc, created in 1973 to promote the careers and public policy interests of the 235,000 electrical, electronics, computer and software engineers who are U.S. members of the IEEE.

We look forward to your support.  If you should have any questions, please contact Deborah Rudolph at 202 530-8332 in our Washington, DC office.

Sincerely,

James V. Leonard
2003 President, IEEE-USA

(Letters also sent to Senators Robert Byrd, Bill Young Trent Lott
& Christopher Dodd and Reps. David Obey, David Dreier, and Martin Frost)