AeA President and CEO Testifies on Capitol Hill
to the National Science Board

Washington, DC (December 7, 2005) -- William T. Archey, President and CEO of AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association, today testified to the National Science Board at a Capitol Hill hearing on 21st century education in science, mathematics, and technology.

Archey participated on the panel with four other high-level business executives, all of whom discussed how the American K-12 educational system must improve dramatically if it is to prepare our children for the jobs of the future.

"Too often, the debate on educational reform in this country lacks context," said Archey. "Much of the general public is unaware of the major economic changes taking place in the rest of the world, particularly how competitive other countries have become in science and technology. Even many Members of Congress are only now realizing the impact of these changes. Until we create a greater awareness at the local level of how the world has changed, the urgency for reforming K-12 math and science education simply will not be there."

Archey’s participation at today’s hearing is a continuation of AeA’s ongoing effort to raise awareness of the competitive challenges the United States faces in a world that has become intensely competitive, particularly in science and technology. A major component of this effort is to mobilize AeA’s nationwide grassroots organization to communicate the urgency of these issues to parent-teacher groups across the country.

“The competitiveness debate cannot remain inside the beltway,” continued Archey. “Those most affected by the challenges of a changing world are not just the U.S. tech industry, but also parents, educators, and – most importantly – our children. It is their jobs, their prosperity, and their futures at stake.”

AeA’s Competitiveness Report can be found at: www.aeanet.org/competitiveness.

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About AeA
AeA, founded in 1943 by David Packard, is the largest high-tech trade association in the United States with nearly 2,500 companies, representing all segments of the industry and 1.8 million employees. Currently, AeA has 18 offices in and around the United States, as well as offices abroad in Brussels and Beijing. Our primary purpose is helping our members’ top and bottom lines by providing the following services: Access to Investors; State, Federal & International Lobbying; Insurance Services; Government Procurement; Business Networking; Foreign Market Access; Select Business Services; and Executive Education.
 

This page was last updated on 12/07/05.