News Release

IEEE Engineering the Future Day, 125th Anniversary Recognized by U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON (13 May 2009) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution last night supporting the goals and ideals of "IEEE Engineering the Future Day," which IEEE is celebrating today in recognition of its 125th anniversary.

House Resolution 413, which passed 409-0, was introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.). Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, was the lead cosponsor.

Stearns was a student member of IEEE while earning his degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University.

"I was an aerospace engineer in the Air Force, a captain in the Air Force during [the] launching of satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base," Stearns said on the House floor Tuesday. "I'm very proud of the background I have. It sometimes helps me in trying to understand the intricacies in analysis here in Congress."

Gordon spoke Tuesday about some of the myriad accomplishments of IEEE members.

"Who could imagine the world today without electricity, light bulbs, computers, radios, TVs, wireless communications, the Internet and all those electronic devices that inform us, entertain us and help make our lives more enjoyable?," Gordon said. "Health care has improved because we have x-rays, MRIs, laser surgery, sonograms, arthroscopic cameras and pacemakers.

"We can thank electrical and computer engineers for these lifesaving technologies."

For more information on the resolution, including a link to the full text, see http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.res.00413:

In addition to Gordon, original cosponsors included Reps. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), Ralph Hall (R-Texas), Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.). Ehlers is a physicist and Lipinski an engineer. Pallone's district includes IEEE's Operations Center in Piscataway, N.J. Hall is the ranking Republican member of the House Science and Technology Committee, and Rohrabacher is a member. Gordon managed the resolution for the Democrats and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) for the Republicans.

IEEE Engineering the Future Day, which falls on IEEE's official anniversary date, recognizes the contributions and impact that IEEE members and engineering and technology professionals have made for the benefit of humanity. IEEE traces its beginning to the founding of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on 13 May 1884. AIEE merged with the Institute of Radio Engineers in 1963 to form IEEE.

The House resolution recognizes IEEE for many contributions, including, among others, its "vast library of technical publications," worldwide conferences, "international standards that support many of today's products and services," and for providing "learning opportunities within the engineering sciences." The resolution concludes by saying the "United States must continue its efforts to maintain its leadership in science, technology, and innovation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives (1) recognizes the importance of engineering and technology to meeting our Nation's most pressing challenges; (2) congratulates IEEE on its 125th anniversary; and (3) supports the goals and ideals of 'IEEE Engineering the Future' Day."

You can find out more about IEEE 125th anniversary activities at www.ieee125.org.

IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 210,000 engineers, scientists and allied professionals who are U.S. members of IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional society with 375,000 members in 160 countries. See http://www.ieeeusa.org.

Contact: Chris McManes
IEEE-USA Public Relations Manager
Phone: 1 202 530 8356
E-mail: c.mcmanes@ieee.org

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