WASHINGTON (22 January 2001) - Dr. Peter Winokur, Jason Remer and Dr. Russell Lefevre have begun their IEEE-USA Congressional Fellowships with the 107th Congress. Each will be advising a member of Congress on key electrotechnology issues.

"I can't imagine a more exciting time to be involved in the political process than this upcoming year," Remer said. "Technology policymaking is sure to play a major role in Congress this year, especially in light of the increase in e-commerce, Internet security issues and electric power deregulation."

Dr. Winokur, manager for radiation technology and assurance at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, is working in the office of Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on renewable energy and technology issues. Sen. Reid is ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Dr. Winokur will work on legislation to promote the development of clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, biomass (plant materials and animal waste), sunshine and geothermal heat.

Remer, a design engineering supervisor for Entergy's Arkansas Nuclear One plant outside of Russellville, Ark., is supporting Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) on national energy policy issues. Rep. Barton, whose district is in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, is Chairman of the newly organized Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Remer will assist Barton on national energy strategy, nuclear energy and electric power restructuring issues.

Dr. Lefevre, vice president of Technology Services Corporation in Los Angeles, is advising Sen. John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va.) on science and technology issues. Sen. Rockefeller serves on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and is ranking member of the Aviation subcommittee. Dr. Lefevre will lend his expertise in a number of scientific areas, including alternate fuels, electric vehicles, frequency spectrum allocation and aviation safety.

IEEE-USA's Congressional Fellows join Dr. Saj Durrani, whose IEEE-USA Executive Fellowship with the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology runs through June 2001.

IEEE-USA Congressional Fellows accept a one-year appointment to share their scientific and technical knowledge by working on the staff of a U.S. Congressperson or Congressional committee. This advisory role provides an engineer's perspective on public policy issues.

IEEE-USA is accepting applications for 2002 Congressional and FCC Fellowships through Feb. 23, 2001. For more information on both opportunities, visit the Government Fellowships web page at http://www.ieeeusa.org/forum/govfel or contact Chris Brantley at c.brantley@ieee.org.