Technology education association endorses ASME model bill

The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) has endorsed the ASME state K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) model bill.

Michael Wright, ITEA president, stated in a letter that "we certainly support ASME's efforts for improving K-12 STEM legislation ... We have already started working with colleagues in our field who we hope to soon have linked to ASME's engineers in advancing STEM legislation."

Some of the concepts addressed in the Council on Education's model bill include: increasing the number and quality of math, science, technology and pre-engineering teachers; establishing partnerships that strengthen and promote the science, technology, engineering and mathematics continuum; encouraging students to consider science, engineering and technology careers; and building 21st-century educational infrastructure, organizations and communities.

The ASME model bill can be found at www.asme.org/gric/ps/2002/02-29.html.

Homeland Security reorganization plan is sent to Congress

President Bush sent Congress a reorganization plan for the Department of Homeland Security only hours after he signed into law legislation authorizing the new agency.

The 14-page plan details how the administration wants to transfer existing agencies and consolidate their programs within a short period of time.

The White House would like the majority of federal agencies and programs to be transferred over to the new department by March 1. The remaining transfers should be completed by Sept. 30.

The Department of Homeland Security reorganization plan can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/. For more information on ASME's activities relating to homeland security or ASME's Critical Assets Protection Initiative, visit www.asme.org/gric/capi, or contact Reese Meisinger at meisingerr@asme.org.

President signs bill to double funding by NSF

President Bush has signed H.R. 6446, the National Science Foundation (NSF) reauthorization bill. ASME strongly supported the legislation along with other organizations in the science and engineering community.

The bill approves a doubling of funding for NSF over the next five years. The bill authorizes $5.5 billion for NSF for fiscal year 2003, up from $4.8 billion budgeted in fiscal 2002. The bill authorizes annual increases through fiscal 2007, when the foundation's budget would reach $9.8 billion.

The final version of H.R. 4664 can be found on the Library of Congress Web site at http://thomas.loc.gov. More information on the bill is at ww.house.gov/science/ press/107/107-317.htm, or by contacting Patti Burgio at burgiop@asme.org.

— Melissa Murray
ASME Government Relations

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