Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

12 February 2003

The Honorable Susan M. Collins
Chair, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
340 Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Collins: 

I am writing on behalf of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - United States of America (IEEE-USA) to request your support for the confirmation of Dr. Charles McQueary as the first Under Secretary for Science and Technology within the new Department of Homeland Security. 

Dr. McQueary's extensive background in defense systems and his involvement with the National Security Industrial Association and the defense preparedness community gives him a familiarity with security issues and technologies, as well as a network of established relationships that have a direct bearing on his new responsibilities in homeland security. A distinguished engineer with outstanding managerial experience, Dr. McQueary has spent a career in leadership posts with AT&T Bell Laboratories, AT&T Lucent Technologies, and most recently as President for General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems before his recent retirement. He holds a Ph.D in Engineering Mechanics, an M.S. and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

 For these reasons, we endorse Dr. McQueary's prompt confirmation and look forward to providing whatever assistance we can to him and this new department as it takes on the paramount challenge of ensuring our national security.

Sincerely,

James V. Leonard
2003 President, IEEE-USA

(Letter sent to members of the Senate Government Affairs Committee)