Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

13 July 2005

The Honorable Sherwood Boehlert
Chair, House Committee on Science
U.S. House of Representatives
2246 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515

Dear Representative Boehlert:

I am writing on behalf of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) to express our support for the efforts of Rep. Mark Udall (CO) and the other cosponsors of the Aeronautics Research and Development Revitalization Act of 2005 (H.R. 2358), to "reverse the decline in NASA's aeronautics program and set it on a productive course for the future." IEEE-USA urges the House Science Committee to incorporate H.R.2358 into the NASA authorization bill when it considers that legislation later this month.

The U.S. aviation and aerospace industry is a $900 billion component of America's economic engine, and a source of research, development and technology that is critical to ensuring America's continued engineering and scientific prowess. The leadership position of the U.S. aviation and aerospace industries is being eroded by foreign competitors who benefit from extensive government subsidies. That challenge becomes even more pressing in view of the recent European Commission plan, European Aeronautics: A Vision for 2020, which presents a roadmap for the European aerospace industry to acquire world leadership.

In previously endorsing the findings of the Presidential Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, IEEE-USA joined in the call for a national aerospace initiative that would help to re-invigorate basic and applied research in aeronautics and aviation, promote development of aerospace technologies that would significantly lower noise, emissions and fuel consumption, make travel to near space reliable and economical, and fund revolutionary changes to the air transportation system to provide greater capacity, safety, traffic flow and automation. The Aeronautics Research and Development Revitalization Act (H.R. 2358) represents a vital step toward realizing these important national goals.

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 technical professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. If we can be of any assistance, please contact Bill Williams at 202-785-0017.

Sincerely,

Gerard A. Alphonse
President, IEEE-USA
 

Also sent to Members of the House Science Committee