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| Mr. Automation Federation goes to Washington |
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Research Triangle Park, NC (2 April 2008) - The Automation Federation and its member organizations are planning a congressional fly-in, 20-23 May, in Washington, DC. The coalition, made up of industry experts, academicians, and leaders from around the country, will meet with dozens of lawmakers to bring visibility to the automation profession's challenges and opportunities.
"We need to continue to tell the story of automation, of the hard-working professionals in our field, so that Congress can help us face the challenges ahead," said Automation Federation Chairman Steve Huffman. "Our relationship with the government is critical to the success of our industries, and the Federation is committed to growing and strengthening that relationship."
The coalition will be made up of five teams of five individuals. The teams will focus on specific messages and organize their appointments accordingly.
The three topics chosen for this visit are:
Workforce Development and the Impending Crisis in Automation
The Need for the Creation of a Two-Year and Four-Year Automation Engineering Curricula
The Necessity of an Informed Cyber Security Policy in Defense of Our Nation's Industrial Infrastructure
Each of the topics will be presented with an overview of the issue along with a specific request for support. In addition to the issues covered, the Federation teams will also offer the organization's help regarding future issues which may impact the automation profession. In addition, teams will meet with representatives from the US Department of Labor and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to continue the collaborative relationship forged with the agencies in 2007.
"It is vital that the Federation builds awareness within the various political circles of Washington," said WBF Chairman Maurice Wilkins. "We want our nation's leaders to know that the Automation Federation is the voice of automation, and that we can provide an unbiased view of the issues impacting the industries we represent."
Team leaders include Huffman, Wilkins, ISA President Kim Miller Dunn, ISA Treasurer Leo Staples, and WINA Chairman Ian McPherson. Team members include subject matter experts involved with topic. Each team has a goal of meeting with several lawmakers and staffers during the visit.
A regularly updated blog is planned for press members to stay informed during the week. In addition to the lawmaker visits, the Federation is also hosting a reception for the lawmakers, their staffs, and other key contacts in Washington. The reception will be held Thursday, 22 May, starting at 5:30 p.m. in HC6 at the Capitol.
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