[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5411-H5413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING IEEE ENGINEERING THE FUTURE DAY

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 413) supporting the goals and 
ideals of ``IEEE Engineering the Future'' Day on May 13, 2009, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 413

       Whereas IEEE is the world's largest technical professional 
     society, with more than 375,000 members, including more than 
     210,000 members in the United States;
       Whereas IEEE members are engineers, scientists, and other 
     professionals whose technical interests are rooted in 
     electrical and computer sciences, engineering, and related 
     disciplines;
       Whereas IEEE's core purpose is to foster technological 
     innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity;
       Whereas IEEE traces its roots to the founding of the 
     American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on May 13, 
     1884;
       Whereas renowned inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Alva 
     Edison was a founder of AIEE;
       Whereas notable presidents of the IEEE and its founding 
     organizations include Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Proteus 
     Steinmetz, Lee De Forest, William R. Hewlett, and Ivan 
     Getting;
       Whereas AIEE merged with the Institute of Radio Engineers 
     in 1963 to form IEEE;
       Whereas IEEE maintains a vast library of technical 
     publications;
       Whereas more than 100,000 technical professionals attend 
     the more than 300 conferences sponsored or cosponsored by 
     IEEE each year;
       Whereas IEEE is a leader in the development of 
     international standards that support many of today's products 
     and services, with an active portfolio of nearly 1,300 
     standards and projects under development;
       Whereas IEEE provides learning opportunities within the 
     engineering sciences with the goal of ensuring the growth of 
     skill and knowledge among the technical profession;
       Whereas IEEE provides a forum for professionals to 
     interact, collaborate, and generate new ideas and concepts;
       Whereas IEEE seeks to attract the best and brightest to use 
     their skills and experience and apply technology to benefit 
     society and help solve humanitarian issues;
       Whereas ``IEEE Engineering the Future'' Day will be held by 
     IEEE on May 13, 2009, to recognize the contributions and 
     impact that IEEE, its members, and engineering and technology 
     professionals have made and to raise public awareness of the 
     diverse opportunities available in different technology 
     fields;
       Whereas revolutionary advances in information technology, 
     biotechnology, nanotechnology, and other fields are reshaping 
     the global economy; and
       Whereas the United States must continue its efforts to 
     maintain its leadership in science, technology, and 
     innovation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the importance of engineering and technology 
     to meeting our Nation's most pressing challenges;
       (2) congratulates IEEE on its 125th anniversary; and
       (3) supports the goals and ideals of ``IEEE Engineering the 
     Future'' Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-
Balart) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 413, the 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 413, supporting the goals and 
ideals of IEEE Engineering the Future Day on May 13, 2009.
  I want to thank my good friend from Florida (Mr. Stearns) for working 
with me to introduce this resolution. Mr. Stearns holds a degree in 
electrical engineering and served in the Air Force as an aerospace 
engineer. So I think his sponsorship of this resolution is very 
appropriate.
  The IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society, with 
more than 375,000 members worldwide, including 210,000 in the United 
States. It is made up primarily of engineers, scientists, engineering 
professors, computer and technical professionals. The organization's 
core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for 
the benefit of humanity.
  IEEE supports programs that improve K-12 science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics education and technical literacy. Its vast 
library of technical publications, worldwide conferences and global 
standards make it a powerful force for technological leadership.
  To celebrate its 125th anniversary, IEEE will hold the IEEE 
Engineering the Future Day tomorrow, May 13, 2009, to recognize the 
contributions and impact that IEEE, its members, and the engineering 
and technological professions have made, and to raise public awareness 
of the diverse opportunities available in different technological 
fields.
  I ask my colleagues to help pass H. Res. 413, to recognize the 
importance of engineering and technology in meeting our Nation's most 
pressing challenges; congratulate IEEE on its 125th anniversary; and 
support the goals and ideas of the IEEE Engineering the Future Day on 
May 13.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would yield myself 
as much time as I may consume.
  I rise today to support House Resolution 413, supporting the goals 
and ideals of IEEE Engineering the Future Day on May 13, 2009.
  IEEE, as the Chairman has said, is a nonprofit organization and the 
world's leading professional association for the advancement of 
technology. It's a leading authority on areas ranging from aerospace 
systems, computers, telecommunications, biomedical engineering, 
electrical power and consumer electronics, just among many.
  Today IEEE has more than 375,000 members, including nearly 80,000 
student members in more than 160 countries around the world. These 
members rely on IEEE as a source of technical and professional 
information. They rely on them for resources and also for a number of 
different services.
  IEEE Engineering the Future Day will be held by IEEE tomorrow, May 
13, 2009, to recognize the contributions and impact that that 
organization, its members, and engineering and technology professionals 
have made over the last 125 years, and to raise public awareness, Madam 
Speaker, of the diverse opportunities available in many, many different 
technological fields.
  Madam Speaker, I would then ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this resolution, honoring this special day and anniversary.
  At this time I will reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my friend from Florida (Mr. Stearns), a cosponsor of this 
resolution.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from 
Tennessee, the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, for 
his hard work and his kindness and for letting me have this bill on the 
floor so promptly.
  I also thank my colleague from Florida for his introduction and kind 
words.
  This legislation, which I introduced with my good friend Chairman 
Gordon, obviously congratulates the IEEE on its 125th anniversary and 
recognizes

[[Page H5412]]

May 13, 2009, as the IEEE Engineering the Future Day.
  My colleagues, IEEE is a renowned international not-for-profit 
professional organization whose core purpose is to foster technological 
innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
  As mentioned, with more than 210,000 members in the United States and 
more than 375,000 members in over 160 countries, the IEEE is the 
world's largest professional society for the advancement of technology. 
Their membership includes engineers, scientists and other professionals 
whose technical interests are rooted in electrical and computer 
sciences, engineering and related disciplines.
  The IEEE as we know it today was formed by the merger of the 
Institute of Radio Engineers, which was founded in 1912, and the 
American Institute of Electrical Engineers, which was founded on May 
13, 1884 by renowned inventor and distinguished entrepreneur Thomas 
Edison. Other notable past presidents of the IEEE and its founding 
institutions include well-known scientists Alexander Graham Bell, 
Charles Steinmetz, Lee De Forest, William Hewlett and Ivan Getting.
  The IEEE's name was originally an acronym for the Institute of 
Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Today the organization's scope of 
interest has expanded into so many related fields that it is simply 
referred to as the letters IEEE.
  Through its global membership, IEEE is a leading authority on areas 
ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to 
biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics, among 
others. Most IEEE members are electrical engineers, computer engineers 
and computer scientists, but the organization's wide scope of interest 
has attracted engineers in a lot of other disciplines, including 
mechanical and civil engineering as well as biologists, physicists and 
mathematicians.
  The IEEE's constitution defines the purpose of this organization as, 
quote, scientific and educational, directed toward the advancement of 
the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, communications and 
computer engineering, as well as computer science, the allied branches 
of engineering and the related arts and sciences, all encompassing.

                              {time}  1430

  My colleagues, in pursuing these goals, the IEEE serves as a major 
publisher of some 144 scientific journals and magazines and a sponsor 
of more than 300 conferences annually. It is also a leading developer 
of industrial standards that support many of today's products and 
services, with an active portfolio of nearly 1,300 standards and 
projects under development in a broad range of disciplines, including 
electric power and energy, biomedical technology and health care, 
information technology, information assurance, telecommunications, 
consumer electronics, transportation, aerospace, and most importantly, 
nanotechnology, the wave of the future.
  IEEE also develops and participates in educational activities such as 
accreditation of electrical engineering programs in all of our 
institutes of higher learning in this country. To foster an interest in 
the engineering profession, IEEE serves student members in colleges and 
universities around the world with more than 1,600 student branches in 
almost 500 student branch chapters at colleges and universities in 80 
countries.
  The goal of the IEEE educational program is to ensure the growth, the 
skill and knowledge in the electricity-related technical professions 
and to foster individual commitment to continuing education among IEEE 
members, the engineering and scientific communities, and, of course, 
the general public.
  As mentioned by the distinguished chairman, I am an electrical 
engineer. I was a member of IEEE in college, and I'm now presently a 
member. I was an aerospace engineer in the Air Force, a captain in the 
Air Force during launching of satellites from Vandenberg Air Force 
Base. I'm very proud of the background I have. It sometimes helps me in 
trying to understand the intricacies in analysis here in Congress.
  So I urge my colleagues to join me and recognize the simple and 
powerful contributions and impact the IEEE has in this country and its 
members and engineering and technology professionals who have made 
accomplishments here in the United States and continue to support their 
goals and ideals of IEEE engineering, the future day, on May 13, 2009.
  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. We have no further speakers. I reserve the 
time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, after listening to 
the words of the sponsor, I don't think anything else needs to be said, 
so I will yield back the remaining part of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I will conclude by thanking 
Mr. Stearns, my friend from Florida, for introducing this resolution. 
125 years is a long time in the history of this country, and certainly 
to originate out of Thomas Edison demonstrates this is a very important 
organization. I thank Mr. Stearns for bringing this to our attention.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this 
resolution put forth by my colleague Representative Cliff Stearns. H. 
Res. 413, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of `IEEE Engineering 
Future' Day on May 13, 2009'' will recognize the importance of 
engineering and technology in meeting the nation's most pressing 
challenges.
  This institution has a rich history, which traces its roots to the 
founding of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on 
May 13, 1884. The renowned inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Alva Edison 
was the founder of AIEE. Other notable presidents of the IEEE and its 
founding organizations include Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Proteus 
Steinmetz, Lee De Forest, William R. Hewlett, and Ivan Getting.
  Through its global membership, IEEE is a leading authority on areas 
ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to 
biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics among 
others.
  As technologies and the industries increasingly transcended national 
boundaries, IEEE kept pace and became a truly global institution. Over 
the years, IEEE used the innovations of the practitioners it 
represented to enhance its own excellence in delivering products and 
services to members, industries, and the public at large. Publications 
and educational programs were delivered online. IEEE's member services 
such as renewal and elections were also delivered online.
  The IEEE publishes nearly a third of the world's technical literature 
in electrical engineering, computer science and electronics. This 
includes about 130 journals, transactions and magazines and over 400 
conference proceedings published annually. In cooperation with John 
Wiley and Sons, Inc., the IEEE also produces technical books, 
monographs, guides and textbooks. IEEE journals are consistently among 
the most highly cited in electrical and electronics engineering, 
telecommunications and other technical fields.
  IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society. By 2008, 
IEEE had 375,000 members in 160 countries and more than 210,000 members 
in the United States. The United States must continue its efforts to 
maintain its leadership in science, technology, and innovation as 
revolutionary advances in information technology, biotechnology, 
nanotechnology, and other fields are reshaping the global economy.
  IEEE's core purpose is to foster technological innovation and 
excellence for the benefit of humanity. As a leader in the development 
of international standards that support many of today's products and 
services, with an active portfolio of nearly 1,300 standards and 
projects under development, this non profit organization attracts the 
best and brightest to use their skills and experience and apply 
technology to benefit society and help solve humanitarian issues. In 
addition, IEEE provides learning opportunities within the engineering 
sciences with the goal of ensuring the growth of skill and knowledge 
among the technical profession as well as a forum for professionals to 
interact, collaborate, and generate new ideas and concepts.
  This Congress should recognize that IEEE is essential to the global 
technical community and to technical professionals everywhere. The IEEE 
is universally recognized for the contributions of technology and of 
technical professionals in improving global conditions. I congratulate 
IEEE on its 125th anniversary and support the goals and ideals of `IEEE 
Engineering the Future' Day and I urge my colleagues to support them as 
well.
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 413, 
which recognizes the goals and ideals of IEEE Engineering the Future 
Day. IEEE traces its roots to the founding of the American Institute of 
Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on May 13, 1884, at a time when

[[Page H5413]]

the ability to harness electricity for useful purposes was in its 
infancy. Since then, electrical power has become central to our way of 
life, and technologies based on electronics have become ubiquitous. The 
AIEE evolved to reflect these changes, first by joining with the 
Institute of Radio Engineers to become the Institute of Electrical and 
Electronics Engineers and later by shortening the organization's 
official name to IEEE in recognition of the fact that technical fields 
were transcending traditional definitions and boundaries. Still, the 
overarching goal of the organization--to apply technology and 
innovation for the benefit of humanity--has remained constant from the 
beginning. IEEE has become a global professional organization with 
375,000 members in 160 countries. It sponsors hundreds of conferences 
and professional meetings annually, maintains an electronic library of 
technical publications, develops international technical standards, 
hosts educational and professional development programs, and provides a 
forum for professional interactions and collaborations. As we look to 
the future, we will rely increasingly on science, engineering, and 
technology to help us meet our energy challenges, safeguard our 
environment, grow our economy, and improve our quality of life. I hope 
that IEEE's Engineering the Future Day will raise awareness about how 
science and technology affects our daily lives and about the many 
opportunities available to technical professionals. I congratulate IEEE 
and its members on the organization's 125th anniversary and past 
achievements, and I look forward to all of its future contributions.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 413.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________