9422295 Blumenthal The NRC established the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board in recognition of the importance of (1) computer science as an academic discipline and intellectual domain and (2) the increasingly critical role played by computing technology and telecommunications in virtually all facets of life. The Board's charter is a broad one; to ensure that the United States makes every effort to develop and use the major national resources represented in computer science, computing technology, and telecommunications. The computer's contributions to innovation and economic growth, to national security, to the quality of life, and to scientific progress are pervasive and affect the programs of a number of federal agencies, as well as domestic industries. Before the Board was established, no organization had been suitably positioned to address or influence the overall condition of the computing and communications field. CSTB is intended to be a central asset for identifying the implications of new technologies; assessing current and proposed policies that affect computer science, computing technology, and telecommunications posture. It also fosters communication among members of the professional community on national and international issues in the computing and communications fields. ***
