Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

11 March 2004

Dr. Melvin Bernstein
Director of University Programs
Department of Science and Technology
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Dr. Bernstein:

Please find enclosed a copy of a recent position statement of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) regarding the necessity of maintaining a strong and viable basic and applied research program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As an organization whose members perform much of this valuable research, IEEE-USA offers its experience and expertise on the issues of electrotechnology research and development. The statement urges Congress and the Bush Administration to support an aggressive basic and applied research program at the DHS, and urges the DHS to continue to work with other federal agencies that support basic and applied research relevant to homeland security. Finally, the statement provides several principles upon which we at IEEE-USA feel the Department of Homeland Security research program should be based.

Thank you for your attention. If you have any further questions, please contact Bill Williams at 202-785-0017 ext. 8331.

Sincerely,

John W. Steadman, Ph.D., P.E.
2004 President

Encl.

Same Letter also sent to:  Dr. Penrose Albright, Asst. Secretary for Plans, Programs and Budget and Dr. Jane Alexander, Deputy Director,
Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency