Our next section meeting is on February 23, 2006, at the HESS building. Don Bammes of Strongwell-Quazite will give a presentation on new ANSI/NEC 2005 code changes with regard to Underground Enclosures.  We are looking forward to an interesting presentation, pay close attention to our website (www.ieee-houston.org) for future announcements.

The Houston Section CED program is back in full swing starting this month with several courses.  If there is subject material that you would like to see included in our CED program, please email the suggestions to Paul Barrett (paulbarrett@double-e-engineering.com) for consideration.

The Houston Section will be manning booths at the SWEE-April 2006 and OTC-May 2006 this year promoting the IEEE. We need volunteers to help us man these booths and promote the IEEE. If you are interested contact P.J. Donner (PJDonner@ieee.org) or one of the other Excom members.

The IEEE Houston and Galveston Bay Sections will be holding a joint section meeting with Congressman Tom Delay to discuss the following topics pertinent to IEEE members:

• Federal Government’s Research and Development Budget

• NASA Funding
• H1-B and L-1 Visas
• Offshore Outsourcing

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the state of the engineering profession and high-tech economy in Texas with respect to the above mentioned projects.  This will be a unique opportunity to have a candid conversation between Congressman Delay and our local IEEE community.  This meeting is only open to IEEE members and their spouses. RSVPs will be required.  If you are interested in attending an evening meeting with Congressman Tom Delay on Monday, March 6, 2006 between 6-8 PM at the HESS Club, please RSVP to Donald G. Dunn by February 20, 2006.  He can be reached at donald.dunn@ieee.org or 281-862-5533.

The Houston Section is seeking new volunteers, as you all are aware the IEEE is a volunteer organization. If you are interested in becoming active, please take the time to consider volunteering in some capacity; the return on time invested is well worth it. Contact one of the individuals within the section Excom committee and attend one of our planning meetings. The Excom meets at the HESS building the 4th Thursday of each month with the exception of a few summer months. We have many opportunities for you to contribute and to develop a larger network of professionals from which to draw.

As always we look forward to seeing you are our meetings and hope to provide opportunities for you to expand your activities within the IEEE Houston Section.  All the section Excom members are available to help at any time.