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[IP] TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research




Delivered-To: dfarber+@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 06:22:00 -0700
From: Ed Lazowska <lazowska@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: FW: TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research
To: dfarber@xxxxxxxxxx

X-MS-TNEF-Correlator:

TechNet is once again standing in support of the nation's research enterprise. This sort of initiative on TechNet's part is tremendously important.

-----Original Message-----
From: Gretchen Beyer/Leslie Saul [mailto:gbeyer&lsaul@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 8:20 AM
To:
Subject: TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research


        Dear TechNet Member:

        Congress is in the midst of its appropriations process for FY 2004.
        The funding outlook for basic research at the National Science
        Foundation is disappointing this year, due to budgetary constraints
related to the war in Iraq. We urge CEOs and senior executives who are
        members of TechNet to sign onto the following letter in support of
        strong funding for the National Science Foundation and for the Tech
Talent program. Please let us know by close of business on Wednesday, October 1 if you are willing to add your name, title and company name to
        the following letter.

        If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Saul Garvin at
        lsaul@xxxxxxxxxxx or Gretchen Beyer at gbeyer@xxxxxxxxxxxx

        Thanks,
        Gretchen Beyer and Leslie Saul Garvin

        ------------------------

        Dear Chairman Stevens:

As members of TechNet, an association of 200 technology industry CEOs and senior executives, we are writing to express our strong support for
        a federal commitment to basic research through the National Science
Foundation (NSF), and in particular, for the NSF's Tech Talent Program.
        The pioneering research supported by NSF is the foundation of our
        nation's global leadership -- in economic growth, technological
        advancement and quality of life.

        We ask that you recognize this critical role in the VA-HUD
Appropriations Conference Committee by allocating $5.6 billion for the
        budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY 2004, or 6.2
percent more than FY 2003. This is the amount contained in the House bill. In addition, we are asking that in conference you retain the $30 million earmarked in the Senate version of the bill for the Tech Talent
        Program, known within the NSF as STEP.

As the only federal agency dedicated to fundamental research across a range of scientific disciplines, funding the National Science Foundation
        should be a top priority.  NSF-supported basic research has led to
        advances that have fueled the growth of America's economy.  We are
disappointed that the funding level for the National Science Foundation
        has not kept pace with the doubling path outlined in the NSF
Authorization Act of 2002, but we recognize current funding constraints.
        We hope that the Congress will pursue the goal of doubling the NSF
budget at the earliest opportunity. We urge the Congress to ensure that the NSF funding does not fall below the 6.2 percent increase approved by
        the House for FY 2004.

NSF plays a central role in developing a skilled workforce and the next generation of technology innovators through its support for programs and
        basic research at our nation's academic institutions.  Primary among
        these is the Tech Talent (or STEP) program designed to address the
alarming shortfall in the number of American students graduating from college with degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and computer science. From the late 1980s to the late 1990s, the number of earned bachelor's degrees declined by 18% in engineering and by 36% in math and computer science. This gap has already been strongly felt in the tech industries, where more and more jobs are being outsourced to countries
        whose workforces are earning far greater numbers of science and
        engineering degrees.

        The Tech Talent Program aims to reverse this trend and ensure an
        adequate supply of qualified domestic workers to fuel technological
        innovation and economic growth. Unlike fellowship grants that award
        individual students who have already chosen to pursue degrees in
science, math, and engineering, the Tech Talent grants address systemic constraints in the academic setting that discourage talented students
        from choosing these fields in the first place.  Accountability and
        regular program evaluation are sharply emphasized -- institutional
grantees that fail to meet specific numerical goals they designate for
        increasing the number of science, math, engineering, and technology
        graduates may have their funding terminated or reduced.

        We were pleased that the Tech Talent program received $22 million in
        funding for FY2003.  For FY 2004, we urge you to continue the
        overwhelming, positive momentum of the program with $30 million in
        funding.  Only with substantial funding can enough institutions
participate in the program to make a significant impact on the overall national shortage of skilled workers in science, math, engineering, and
        computer science.

We urge you to work with your colleagues again during the appropriations
        conference process to ensure that the National Science Foundation
receives a level of funding for FY 2004 sufficient to support its vital
        research mission, and that the Tech Talent program receives the $30
        million needed to begin reversing our nation's alarming and growing
        dearth of scientists and engineers.

        Thank you for considering our views on this important issue.

        Best regards,


        TechNet CEOs

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