HIGHLIGHTS:
Computing Research Advocacy Network

Information Technology Initiative

Networking and Information Technology
Research and Development Act

The President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) was established in February 1997, with Bill Joy (Sun Microsystems) and Ken Kennedy (Rice University) as co-chairs. In its interim report, presented in August 1998, PITAC argued strongly for significantly increased funding for fundamental research in computer science and computer engineering, and also for new modes of research support and research management to increase the "horizon" of computing research. To the computing research community falls much of the responsibility for translating the PITAC Interim Report into reality. We need to create and rally behind credible visionary research thrusts, and convince Congress and the scientific community that an increased investment in our field is wise and essential.

Edward Lazowska, Chair, CRA Board of Directors

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Resources

"Information Technology Research: Investing in Our Future," PITAC Report to the President, February 1999.

President's Information Technology Advisory Committee homepage

Letter to the Committee on Science Regarding PITAC —
Response to supplemental questions arising from October 6th testimony (see below).

Letter to the Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chair, House Science Committee, House of Representatives —
Concerning the activities of the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC).

Articles

"Rally Behind the New PITAC Report"
By Ed Lazowska
Computing Research News Article

"PITAC's Interim Report: Expeditions of an IT Kind"
By Louise Arnheim
Computing Research News Article

"Bill Joy, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Discusses PITAC Report"
By Jean E. Smith
Computing Research News Article

Congressional Testimony

Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science Subcommittee on Basic Research Hearings on the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee Interim Report to the President - October 6, 1998

Statement of Joseph Bordogna, Acting Deputy Director National Science Foundation

Statement of Ken Kennedy, Ann and John Doerr Professor in Computational Engineering at Rice University, and Co-Chair of the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee

Statement of Neal Lane, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology

Statement of Edward D. Lazowska, Chair, Department of Computer Science & Engineering University of Washington and Chair, Board of Directors Computing Research Association

Statement of Joe Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Founding director, NSF ERC for Computational Field Simulation, Mississippi State University, and Member of the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee.

Please feel free to contact CRA if you have any relevant information with regards to PITAC to be added to this resource page.