U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to Discuss High-Tech Visa Reform Legislation at Optical...

Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:35pm EST

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U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to Discuss High-Tech Visa Reform Legislation at Optical Engineering Firm Breault Research

TUCSON, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will visit Tucson-based optical
software and engineering firm Breault Research Organization, Inc. on
Wednesday to meet with leaders of Southern Arizona's growing
high-technology industry and discuss possible visa reforms enabling
competition in the 21st Century global marketplace.

The meeting will take place at Breault Research Organization, a
30-year-old firm that has been recognized by Gov. Janet Napolitano for
excellence in technology development. Breault Research has 50
employees and sells its products in 35 countries.

H-1B visas are critically important to firms such as Breault
Research to remain innovative and globally competitive. Nationally,
more that 60 percent of H-1B visas are held by workers in computers,
science, engineering, and medical positions. More than 40 percent of
H-1B visa workers possess graduate or doctorate degrees.

This year, the United States capped new H-1B visas at
approximately 65,000, not nearly enough to meet industry demands. The
cap was hit on the first day applications were accepted, meaning that
much-needed, well-educated high-tech workers were not available to
U.S. companies.

Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee,
will outline several H-1B visa reform ideas and solicit comments and
suggestions from the executives. The Tucson lawmaker is planning to
introduce legislation in December that accurately reflects industry
needs.

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WHAT: Discussion and Press Conference at Breault Research Organization
WHEN: 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28
WHERE: 6400 E Grant Road, Suite 350, Tucson, AZ 85715
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About Breault Research Organization (BRO)

Breault Research Organization (BRO) is an optical engineering firm
of global reach and reputation. BRO's optical software products help
engineers turn creative visions into working prototypes, and the
company's own engineers work on beyond-state-of-the-art projects for
Fortune 500 companies, research institutions, and top government labs.
In nearly three decades of innovation, BRO has contributed to the
success of engineering projects for thousands of clients. BRO has been
recognized by the director of the US Patent and Trademark Office for
export achievements, received Wells Fargo Copper Cactus Awards for
Best Place to Work and Community Service, and been commended by
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for excellence in technology
development. BRO is a company steadfastly committed to innovation and
the success of its clients.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District
C.J. Karamargin
Communications Director
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
520-881-3588 or 520-940-4240
cj.karamargin@mail.house.gov
or
Breault Research Organization, Inc.
Michael Stevenson
Marketing Director
520-721-0500 voice x189
mstevenson@breault.com