ASME, SSTI host briefing on technology-based economies

ASME and the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) hosted a Congressional Noontime Briefing on "State Approaches to Building Technology-Based Economies: Leveraging Federal Research and Development" on April 24.

Moderated by Richard Thornburgh, former governor of Pennsylvania, panelists Michael Cassidy, president of the Georgia Research Alliance, and Shaye Mandle, president of the Illinois Coalition, emphasized that their programs can be successful only if the federal government engages in a balanced approach for its investment in research and development.

Thornburgh is co-chair of SSTI, an organization that ASME helped establish. Both SSTI and ASME work to foster state-federal dialogue regarding technology-based economic development.

Aerospace Division releases statement on aeronautics R&D

In its recent statement to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, ASME"s Aerospace Division expressed concern that "a lack of long-term, stable federal funding for aviation research will jeopardize the nation"s leadership in providing the technologies needed to develop the next generation aircraft, improve aviation safety and reduce risk in the U.S. air transport infrastructure."

Continued decline in federal support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) aeronautics research could result in the inability of U.S. universities to attract and train the next generation of aeronautical engineers.

To address these concerns, the Aerospace Division recommended the establishment of a National Aviation Research and Technology Initiative to develop an action plan to define the R&D programs and resources required to ensure sustained U.S. world leadership in civil and military aviation. Research in aviation safety must be a NASA priority, and NASA must continue to be a critical factor in support of university-level aerospace education and R&D, the division said in its statement.

To read the Aerospace Division's position statement, click on www.asme.org/gric/ps01.html.

Bill to strengthen science and engineering at EPA endorsed

In a letter to Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., released April 19, ASME's Environmental Engineering Division (EED) endorsed H.R. 64, a bill that would establish a new position of deputy administrator for science and technology at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Adnan Akay, who is the vice president of the Environment and Transportation Group, called on Ehlers to expand the title of the new position to include "engineering," a move that "would go a long way toward enhancing the science and engineering mission of the agency."

EED also endorsed the proposal to designate the assistant administrator in the Office of Research and Development as the chief scientist of the EPA, noting that "a qualified science official is needed to certify to the administrator and the nation that any proposed actions would be based on the best science and engineering available."

A copy of this letter may be viewed at www.asme.org/gric/ps01.html. For more information, contact Kathryn Holmes at (202) 785-3756 or at holmesk@asme.org.

COE committee offers statements on key DOE budget requests

The Energy Committee of the Council on Engineering recently filed two statements on a number of specific programs in the Department of Energy's fiscal year 2002 budget request.

In its statement to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior and Related Agencies, the Energy Committee applauded the budget request for a new Clean Coal Power Initiative, but noted that "the funding requested for this initiative is obtained at the expense of drastically reducing, or in some cases eliminating, major R&D programs that will be critical to addressing what is quickly becoming an energy crisis in this country."

The committee called on Congress to support the Clean Coal Power Initiative with additional funds in the fiscal 2002 allocation.

In comments to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy & Water Development, the COE Energy Committee expressed its full support to establish a National Energy Strategy to meet the nation"s current and future energy needs.

These statements may be viewed atwww.asme.org/gric/ps01.html. For more information on energy programs and energy R&D, contact Francis Dietz at (202) 785-3756 or dietzf@asme.org.

K-12 SMET Coalition urges changes to House bill

The K-12 Science, Mathematics, Engineering & Technology (SMET) Education Coalition, of which ASME International is a member, sent a letter to all members of the House of Representatives commending the 107th Congress for making K-12 education a priority.

The coalition expressed support of a new state-level Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships program included in H.R. 1, President George W. Bush's "Leave No Child Behind" education reform package.

To further strengthen the science, mathematics, engineering and technology components of H.R. 1, the coalition recommended that the scope of the Mathematics and Science Partnerships program be expanded to allow professional development for technology/engineering education that integrates mathematics and science skills and that the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education be reauthorized.

A copy of the coalition's letter may be viewed at www.asme.org/gric/ps01.html. For additional information on K-12 education initiatives, contact Patti Burgio at (202) 785-3756 or at burgiop@asme.org.

— Mary Legatski
ASME Government Relations

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