Science, Engineering and Technology Work Group

July 29, 1999

The Honorable C. W. Young
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
2407 Rayburn House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

On behalf of the below signed members of the Science-Engineering and Technology Work Group (SET), we are writing to urge your support for the restoration of FY2000 funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Advanced Technology Program (ATP).

ATP is and has been a vital component of a balanced federal R&D portfolio that has helped maintain U.S. technological competitiveness. It is a market-oriented, cost-effective means of promoting research that strengthens U.S. industry.

By sharing at least half the cost of the research, ATP encourages both large and small firms to develop high-risk, emerging technologies. This catalytic role for government is more important today as the pace of change moves even faster. Partnerships such as ATP provide a strong conduit for the technology, which exists in our Nation's laboratories, to move into the marketplace at an enhanced speed. Without such bridges, this technology may not be utilized.

SET believes that federal support for R&D is an investment for the future of our Nation and its citizens and that a strong and balanced science and engineering portfolio is especially important as we enter the new millennium. It is important for the U.S. to continue to commit our resources to developing the knowledge and research base that has become so important to our country's economic growth.

SET is an information network comprising professional, scientific and engineering societies, higher education associations, institutions of higher learning, and trade associations. The Work Group is concerned about the future vitality of the U.S. science, mathematics, and engineering enterprise.

We urge your support for restoring funding for ATP and hope that you will agree with us that the ATP program is critical to our Nation's balanced research and development program.

Sincerely,

American Electronics Association
American Chemical Society
American Society of Civil Engineers
Council for Chemical Research
Council of Graduate Schools
Federation of Materials Societies
The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc. - United States of America
National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing
National Society of Professional Engineers

cc:    All Members of the House Appropriations Committee

Last Update: July 29, 1999
Staff Contact: Deborah Rudolph, d.rudolph@ieee.org