Promoting Electrotechnology Careers and Public Policy

February 13, 1998

The Honorable Howard P. Rawlings
Appropriations Committee
Maryland House of Delegates
Lowe House Office Bldg., Room 130
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

Dear Chairman Rawlings:

I am writing on behalf of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) to communicate our support for Maryland House Bill 249 to establish Maryland Science and Technology Scholarships. IEEE is the world's largest technical, professional association with over 320,000 members, including approximately 10,000 electrical, electronics, and computer engineers who live, work and attend school in Maryland.

IEEE-USA members know from their own experience the important roles that innovation and technology play in creating economic growth and opportunity. The combination of scientific knowledge and engineering know-how is what drives the technology engine. Maryland's economy already benefits from strong federal research investments and outstanding laboratories and educational institutions. It is critical that Maryland leverages this infrastruture by investing in the intellectual capital needed to sustain a high tech workforce. The proposal to create Maryland Science and Technology Scholarships is a good step in this direction.

In addition to expanding Maryland's high tech workforce, it is also important for Maryland to explore ways to retain and enhance its engineering and scientific human resources. A critical issue for engineers across the nation is their ability to stay current with the rapid advance of technology. The engineering profession is increasingly mobile; the typical engineer, computer scientist or information technologist changes jobs several times in a career and must contantly retrain to remain employable. The Maryland Science and Technology Scholarships are geared toward helping attract new students to study and work in the state and do not address the continuing education needs of Maryland's scientists and engineers. For that reason, we encourage you to explore new and to strengthen existing state programs in this area.

We appreciate this opportunity to share our views and hope that you will contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

John. R. Reinert, D.M.
IEEE-USA President

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - United States of America
1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20036-5104
Office: (202) 785-0017 * Fax: (202) 785-0835 * E-mail: ieeeusa@ieee.org * Web: http://www.ieeeusa.org

Note

The same letter was also sent to The Honorable Sheila E. Hixon, Ways and Means Committee, Maryland House of Delegates and to The Honorable Clarence Blount Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee, enate of Maryland.

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Last Update: Feb. 20, 1998

Staff Info Contact: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org