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The Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers

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PACE

Professional Activities Committees for Engineers

PACE is funded by IEEE-USA Members to promote professional interests including:

Engineering & Science Education in the Community

Professional Skills Development

Resources for Members who are unemployed or need to seek new opportunities

Consultants Networks

Locally, we sponsor the Seeds for Science Program to help students build projects for the MOST Science Fair or related events

Provide speakers for Middle School & High School Presentations on Engineering Careers

Conduct Section Meetings relating to Professional Development & Increasing Community Awareness of how Engineers benefit Society

**IEEE-USA IN ACTION ** President Signs IEEE-USA-Backed Innovation Legislation

WASHINGTON (10 August 2007) -- President George W. Bush signed into law thecompetitiveness and innovation legislation that IEEE-USA has supported in a White House signing ceremony Thursday.
By supporting research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and improving educational programs, the "America Competes Act" (H.R. 2272) will help the United States maintain its global leadership in science and technology.
"Our economy is growing in large part because America has the most ambitious, educated and innovative people in the world -- men and women who take risks, try out new ideas, and have the skills and courage to turn their dreams into new technologies and new businesses," President Bush said. "To stay competitive in the global economy, we must continue to leadthe world in human talent and creativity."

Key provisions of the "America Competes Act" include:

* Doubling of the National Science Foundation (NSF) budget, the Department of Energy's Office of Science budget and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology laboratory budget.
* Significant expansion of NSF funding for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and the agency's Mathematics and Science Partnerships.
* Creation of a new Technology Innovation Program at the Department of Commerce, replacing the Advanced Technology Program.
* Doubling of funding for the Commerce Department's Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
* Establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy at the Energy Department
* Strengthening STEM educational opportunities at the elementary through graduate school levels, increase funds to improve the skills of math and science teachers, and provide college scholarships for hundreds of future math and science teachers.

"Congress and the President are to be commended for authorizing legislation that can bolster U.S. national security, energy independence and the economy," IEEE-USA President John Meredith said. "We are particularly pleased that it will improve STEM education for students so that the United States can continue to train the world's finest scientists, engineers and mathematicians."
The law, which enjoyed broad bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, authorizes $43.3 billion in federal spending over the next three fiscal years (FY 2008-10). An appropriations bill will have to be signed into law to fund the legislation. Key elements of the President's American
Competitiveness Initiative are included, as are elements of the House Democrats' Innovation Agenda and the Senate's "Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Act." The law is based on recommendations contained in the National Academies' "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" report andthe Council on Competitiveness' "Innovate America" report.
IEEE-USA was one of many organizations working proactively over the past three years in support of the legislation, both directly and in coalition.
IEEE-USA sent numerous letters to Congress; marshaled U.S. IEEE members to make more than 150 grassroots visits in support of the bill (many as part of annual Congressional Visits Days); issued grassroots alerts; co-sponsored congressional briefings (including the initial Nov. 2005 briefing to Congress on the "Gathering Storm" report and its recommendations); written articles; issued news releases; and provided April testimony to Congress on competitiveness and the importance of basic research.
IEEE-USA was also a signatory to the American Innovation Proclamation
(http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/policy/2007/031307.pdf); and worked in partnership with other organizations through the Task Force on the Future of American Innovation; the Computer Research and Innovation Coalition; the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Coalition; and the Council on Competitiveness, to support the bill.
"This is not just an idle thought for those of us who have kids and grandkids," said House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), who introduced H.R. 2272. "I am very concerned that the next generation of Americans can be the first generation of Americans to inherit a national standard of living less than their parents if we don't
do something. This bill will help turn that corner."
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who introduced the PACE Act last year with Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), praised the "America Competes Act."
"This is the prime model of bipartisan cooperation on a massively important issue to every citizen of our country," Alexander said. "The America Competes Act is a direct response to the challenge our country faces in keeping our brainpower advantage so our good jobs don't go overseas to places like India and China."

For more on the "America Competes Act," go to
http://www.science.house.gov/legislation/leg_highlights_detail.aspx?NewsI=1938

For more of the President's remarks, see
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070809-1.html

Interested in Participating?

contact Scott Stumpf, Syracuse Section PACE Chair

Suggestions for the site are welcome, please send them to Don at d.herres@ieee.org.