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IEEE-USA
Dr. Russell Lefevre
IEEE-USA President 2008
(310) 378-5983
[email protected]
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
•New Congress
•New Leaders
•New Agenda
•Priorities
–Innovation and Competitiveness
–Immigration
–Energy
–Intellectual Property
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Global Challenges:
“Rising Above Gathering Storm”
In 2004 and 2005 several reports & books sounded
the alarm on U.S. competitiveness:
• National Academy of Engineering “Rising Above the
Gathering Storm" Report
• The National Innovation Initiative Final Report:
Innovate America: Thriving in a World of Challenge and
Change
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• Thomas L. Friedman Book The World is Flat
Global Challenges:
“Rising Above Gathering Storm”
Rising Above the Gathering Storm
• Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Congressmen
Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Bart Gordon (D-TN) Requested that the
National Academies Conduct a Study Outlining Recommendations for
Saving US Science and Technology Leadership
• The National Academies Convened a Prestigious Panel of Industry and
Academic Leaders Chaired by Retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norm
Augustine, a Fellow of the IEEE.
• The Result was a 512-page Report outlining 20 Specific
Recommendations: Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and
Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future
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Innovation and
Competitiveness Issue
History
Rising Above the Gathering Storm
"It is the unanimous view of our
committee that America today faces
a serious and intensifying challenge
with regard to its future
competitiveness and standard of
living.”
Norm Augustine
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Global Challenges:
“Rising Above Gathering Storm”
National Academies’ Study Findings
•America today faces a serious and intensifying challenge
to its future competitiveness and standard of living.
•U.S. can lose quality jobs; companies will not invest in
U.S.
•Citizens will not have purchasing power to support our
standard of living.
•Tax revenues will not be generated to provide for
national security, health care.
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Global Challenges:
“Rising Above Gathering Storm”
Rising Above the Gathering Storm
Recommendations:
•Increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12
mathematics and science education;
• Sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic
research;
• Develop, recruit, and retain top students, scientists, and engineers
from both the U.S. and abroad; and
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• Ensure that the United States is the premier place in the world for
innovation.
CURRENT SITUATION
• Legislation passed both Houses and went
to a Conference Committee.
• The Senate passed it on a voice vote
• The House passed it overwhelming
• The President signed it into law
• We are now working on the Appropriators
PANEL INTRODUCTION
• Dr. Cliff Lau– Vice President Technology Policy ActivitiesIEEE-USA
• Mr. Paul Kostek
– Vice President Career Activities-IEEE-USA