Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

12 April 2004

The Honorable Ted Stevens
Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Stevens:

I am writing on behalf of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) to request your assistance in reversing the disturbing proposal to decrease funding for Science and Technology (S&T) research at the Department of Defense. The President's FY2005 Budget Request of $10.6 billion for defense S&T would result in a marked decrease of over 15 percent in Basic (6.1) and Applied (6.2) Research and Advanced Technology Development (6.3) from the FY2004 levels of $12.05 billion, despite the recommendations of the Quadrennial Defense Review, which calls for an annual funding commitment equal to 3 percent of the overall Department of Defense budget.

We fully understand the difficult position facing you and your colleagues of a rising deficit and increased demands on federal expenditures by current global and national security exigencies. However, as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has stated, S&T is an investment in the future. We strongly feel that a robust program of funding for science and technology today is vital to providing the technological breakthroughs necessary to assure the critical qualitative edge needed by U.S. armed forces in the years ahead. A strong defense S&T program is not only an essential element of our national defense, but also has a proven track record of fueling economic growth and innovation while simultaneously training the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. IEEE-USA urges Congress to increase defense S&T funding to the level recommended by the Quadrennial Defense Review -- $12.05 billion for FY2005. The Services must maintain a steady, balanced approach to research and development funding.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., created in 1973 to advance the public good, while promoting the careers and public-policy interests of the more than 225,000 electrical, electronics, computer and software engineers who are U.S. members of the IEEE. If you have any questions or we can be of further assistance, please contact Bill Williams, legislative representative for our Research and Development Policy Committee, at (202) 785-0017, ext. 8331.

Sincerely,

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

The same letter was sent individually by fax to Members of
the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.