Fred Humphries is Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft in Washington, D.C. His work amplifies Microsoft’s voice on key advocacy issues internally and externally on all aspects of federal and state affairs.
In his current position, Mr. Humphries sets strategy and oversees government affairs outreach on a broad range of topics, including cloud computing, taxes, privacy, trade, cybersecurity, education and emerging technologies like Microsoft Kinect. He is also responsible for communicating Microsoft’s leadership role in fostering economic and job opportunities in the U.S. technology sector to policymakers.
Previously, Mr. Humphries held positions at the Tennessee Democratic Party, in Tennessee state government, presidential campaigns and other organizations. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and resides with his family in Washington, D.C.
Posted by Fred Humphries Managing Director, U.S. Government Affairs
There has been a strong push by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission over the past nine months to understand the nation’s broadband needs and to develop recommendations that facilitate global innovation. Today’s release of the National Broadband Plan is not the end of the discussion, but in many ways just the beginning.
Technology advancements continue to drive the need for greater bandwidth. Storage capabilities are doubling every 18 months. Consumers are increasingly leveraging the cloud for services and content moving beyond e-mail and search. 3D imaging is on the rise. Machine-to-machine communication is increasing. These demands will require that we pursue meaningful opportunities to make more wireline and wireless broadband available.
Despite the explosive growth of the Internet over the past decade, many Americans are still not online or cannot afford broadband connectivity. As broadband services optimize how we work, how we learn and how we access entertainment, health care and other services, all citizens must have broadband connectivity to reap the benefits. We support the FCC’s proposals to connect all anchor institutions – such as schools, libraries and hospitals -- to high capacity broadband networks; to transition the Lifeline and Link-up programs, which provide discounts on basic phone service to income-eligible consumers, to the emerging broadband world; and to pursue the potential of public-private partnerships to improve affordability and connect all Americans.
We also commend the FCC on its push to find 500 MHz of wireless spectrum by 2020 for wireless broadband services, as well as its continued support of unlicensed spectrum and ‘white spaces,’ which are increasingly vibrant sectors of the wireless marketplace. According to Richard Thanki, a consultant with Perspective Associates, between 2009 and 2025, the U.S. economic value generated by a small segment of the unlicensed wireless marketplace will be $16 billion to $36.8 billion. And this segment accounts for only about 15 percent of the total projected market for devices using unlicensed spectrum.
While we have not yet reviewed the full details of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, we share the goal of finding clear and meaningful solutions that are narrowly tailored, technology neutral and promote investment across the entire broadband ecosystem. We look forward to working with the FCC to ensure that America leads the world in broadband technologies and services and to maximize the potential economic growth and employment benefits of the emerging broadband era.
Career prospects for recent college graduates got brighter today thanks to a new initiative announced in Washington, D.C.
America’s strength and future growth in the global economy rests in the next generation, and in the opportunities that will nurture their talent and lead to technological innovation. Yet recent graduates have had a tough time finding jobs.
Today, Microsoft is proud to join the Invest in America Alliance in a significant commitment to jump start the U.S. economy through job creation for this year’s college graduates. Seventeen major corporations, brought together by Intel Corporation, committed today to substantial increases in hiring goals. In total, this initiative will result in 10,500 new college graduate hires in 2010 for a range of positions.
Participating in the Invest in America Alliance is just one way Microsoft is working to enhance U.S. job growth. Partnering with governors across the country, we launched Elevate America a year ago as part of our overall effort to help provide technology training to two million people over three years. In concert with federal officials, we have supported efforts to increase investments in education and workforce training. And with local leaders and educators, we are seeking to grow the pipeline of students, especially in computer science and education. As part of these efforts, our company has developed programs such as Partners in Learning, which provides curricula and class materials, and DreamSpark, which offers students free software.
Our commitment to increase hires of recent college graduates is the latest in a series of efforts by Microsoft to incorporate bright, hard-working students into the workforce and help them lead the next generation.
Posted by Fred HumphriesManaging Director, U.S. Government Affairs This morning Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is in Washington, D.C. to take part in a unique “White House Forum on Modernizing Government.” Steve was honored to be invited by President Obama to take part in the forum, which is bringing together roughly 50 private sector leaders to discuss ways the federal government can leverage technology to become more efficient, more effective and more responsive. Steve has written a post on The Microsoft Blog that outlines some of the specific ways he believes Microsoft can help advance President Obama’s laudable modernization goals.
Posted by Fred Humphries Managing Director U.S. Government Affairs
At Microsoft, we believe that equipping students and workers with the education and skills they need to compete in the 21st century global economy is critical to U.S. economic and national security. Indeed, despite the economic downturn and high unemployment rates, Microsoft and thousands of our partners continue to struggle to find workers with the knowledge and experience necessary to help our businesses compete and grow.
These skill shortages exist despite significant investments by Microsoft and our like-minded partners to grow the pipeline of science, technology, engineering and math students through programs such as Partners in Learning, which provides curricula and class materials, and DreamSpark, which offers students free software.
But even if we succeed in developing a deep pool of highly skilled IT workers in the U.S., there will still be substantial workforce development needs to keep the U.S. economy evolving and growing long-term. For instance, there has been much talk in Washington, D.C., about the wave of new green jobs and health IT occupations that are likely to emerge over the next decade. Such occupations will also require that job seekers possess a basic platform of skills to prosper in a global economy.
Consequently, we are encouraged that the Obama administration and key members of Congress have focused on the need to develop these skills in our future workers. We are particularly pleased that one of the lawmakers leading the effort is Senator Patty Murray, the senior senator from our home state of Washington. Last week, Sen. Murray introduced the Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act (S. 1532), which is designed to provide incentives to communities, employers and schools to work together to help our students get the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in fields with high growth potential.
The legislation calls for $912 million in federal grants to support state and regional partnerships that prepare high school age youth for post-secondary education and 21st century careers. For example, the grants could be used to develop hands-on job-training experiences, internships and apprenticeships that connect students with local businesses; guidance counseling to help students learn about available career opportunities and education programs to equip them with the job skills they need; development of registered apprenticeship programs, mentorships and work-based experiences with local businesses; and modernizing educational equipment and spaces.
Coupled with the Obama administration’s American Graduation Initiative, Sen. Murray’s pragmatic legislation has the potential to move our nation forward through high-skill career education pipelines that provide better futures for our students, more skilled labor for businesses and increased talent to spur regional economic growth.
We hope that Sen. Murray’s initiative will help to spur a dialogue with policymakers in Washington, D.C., about how best to meet our 21st century skills challenges. Her legislation provides a solid framework for that discussion.
At Microsoft, we talk a lot about the power of technology to transform people’s lives and expand their opportunities. This morning, I had the pleasure of witnessing that power first-hand while attending a celebration of the Clay Street Computer Learning Center’s 10 years of service to a low-income neighborhood in Annapolis, Md.
Stocked with computers and educational software for all ages , the Clay Street Center offers an after-school program that gives the neighborhood’s kids a place to get help with their homework and to use, and learn more about, computers and the Internet. During the summer months, the Center brings kids into the lab as part of an ongoing program that enables them to keep and build their computer skills when school is not in session. And during the fall and winter, the Clay Street Center offers participants a hot meal.
I was particularly moved by seeing Clay Street founder Mary Wolf with Tye Curtis, one of the Center’s summer workers and a graduate of the center. As a young man, Tye helped Mary set up the computers in the Clay Street Center and visited for many years, taking advantage of the safe and nurturing environment it provided. This December, Tye expects to graduate from Southern University in Louisiana with a degree in computer science.
Another young man I met today was Tim Boston, also a former Clay Street student. Tim graduated fromBowie State University in Maryland this past May. It was an honor to meet both Tye and Tim and hear their inspirational stories on how the computer lab benefited them when they needed it most.
At Microsoft, we believe every child and adult should have access to computers and the educational, social and health benefits they can deliver. That’s why, over the years, we’ve been proud to support the Clay Street Center financially and with donated software through our Unlimited Potential program so that the Clay Street Center will continue to benefit the community long into the future.
What Mary has accomplished here is something that Microsoft hopes will become more widely available in every community throughout the country. Seeing first-hand what is possible when you have dedicated, visionary people like Mary Wolf helping the children of Clay Street, and hearing about the achievements of two remarkable young adults like Tye and Tim, I know there is no more important contribution we can make to society than ensuring broadband and computer access to every child in every school and library in the U.S.
As Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland said today while at Clay Street, “The scale is small but the impact of what is happening here is large and it is amazing. The success stories of Tim and Tye show me that this lab makes a difference. You see it made a positive difference in Tim and Tye’s lives…That’s what is good for this economy and society.”
“Technology made the difference for these children, for Tim for Tye,” said Mary Wolf. “Microsoft’s contributions and Microsoft believing this is the way to change the lives for these children and by giving them access to computers – that has made all the difference.”
Way to go Mary, and all the workers and students at the Clay Street Computer Learning Center! Thank you for your hard and amazing work. We are honored to support you as you make a difference for Clay Street.
Today marks an important new beginning for efforts to repair the United States’ flawed immigration system. We at Microsoft congratulate President Obama for convening a bipartisan meeting at the White House on immigration reform, and commend the members of Congress who participated. Most immigration experts agree our system needs big changes, so I’m pleased to see the broad participation in this important process.
Nonetheless, we remain concerned that a serious discussion of high-skilled immigration policies has not yet begun, and we believe it must be included in any comprehensive reform. If the U.S. is to remain at the cutting edge of innovation, we must ensure that our businesses can attract and hire the best talent from around the globe.
As Brad Smith blogged earlier this year, immigration policies that attract highly-skilled workers are critical for job creation and long-term economic growth. America’s economic recovery will come from innovation within America’s borders – in its laboratories, board rooms and research centers. By giving American businesses access to the talent they need, they will be able to grow and generate additional American jobs. The more bright minds who contribute to innovation on American soil, the faster our country will return to a position of economic strength.
Now more than ever, we need smart policies to build the innovation workforce of the future.
We can start by ensuring that American students in American schools receive top-notch science, technology and mathematics education. But at the same time, we must ensure that U.S. employers have access to the world’s most highly skilled individuals, regardless of where they were born. Even during the current economic downturn, unemployment among professional workers in the U.S. is relatively low, at approximately four percent, according to the Department of Labor. That means that in many industries, it remains difficult to fill jobs that require specialized skills by solely relying on American workers.
Last year, when the economy was going strong, demand for H-1B visas to bring highly-skilled workers into the U.S. was about double the supply set by Congress. This year, for the first time in many years, the cap on H-1B visas for 2010 has not yet been reached due to the weak economy. There could be no clearer evidence that the market for highly skilled workers is self-regulating. Market demands, not arbitrary caps, should control our high-skilled immigration policies.
Certainly, any comprehensive immigration reform must include enforcement measures that punish fraud, eliminate bad actors, protect workers and shield responsible employers. Microsoft and the vast majority of employers follow U.S. immigration laws to the letter. The small percentage of bad actors cast a bad light upon all.
High skilled immigration reform is absolutely critical to American economic recovery, and to the success of any comprehensive reform effort. It will take those on all sides of this issue to work together to fix the system. I look forward to working with a diverse set of stakeholders to find creative ways to move this dialogue forward.
Posted by Fred Humphries
Managing Director, U.S. Government Affairs
Microsoft Research is heading to the Newseum in Washington, D.C. this Wednesday, June 24, to offer a glimpse into the future of computing. During the Microsoft Research D.C. Roadshow, our researchers will demonstrate innovative technologies that will help address some of the greatest challenges we face today, such as energy sustainability and efficiency, climate change, health care costs and outcomes and personal and business productivity.
The demonstrations will showcase groundbreaking innovations arising out of Microsoft’s commitment to invest heavily in basic research. Invited guests who attend the Roadshow will have an opportunity to talk with Microsoft Research executives and computer scientists about how they are turning ideas into reality and creating technology that will help improve lives around the world, particularly in critical areas such as education, health care and personal and business success.
The Roadshow will feature 13 cutting-edge demos for a wide-ranging group of visitors, including legislators and their staffs, Obama administration officials and staff, members of the diplomatic corps, regulators, academics, industry analysts and journalists. The demos on display will depict projects and collaborations with top universities from around the world in areas such as security, speech recognition, robotics, search and digital imaging.
For almost 18 years, Microsoft Research has been tackling some of the toughest computing challenges. We’re working on ways to enhance the way people interact with computers through touch and speech, developing technologies to reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses and providing tools to help accelerate the hunt for an HIV vaccine. The D.C. Roadshow will offer visitors a glimpse into how Microsoft Research will continue to push the envelope of innovation.
Our CEO Steve Ballmer said on June 17 at the Detroit Economic Club, that as a country, “we really do have to deepen our commitment to innovation by investing more in research and taking a longer term view of the role that innovation plays in creating business success.” Across the entire company, Microsoft will invest more than $9 billion in R&D in 2009. At the D.C. Roadshow on June 24, you can see Microsoft’s commitment to this long-term view first-hand.
Late last week we sent letters of support to the House and Senate sponsors of an important piece of legislation known as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. The DREAM Act, as it is commonly known, would permit a limited number of undocumented immigrant students to become permanent U.S. residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.
The bill would enable some of the estimated 65,000 undocumented students who graduate from U.S. high schools each year to advance their education and eventually apply their skills and knowledge to enhance U.S. productivity, wages and tax revenues.
As we wrote to the legislators, the DREAM Act reinforces and protects America’s substantial investments in the education of its youth, and ensures that America will reap the benefits of those investments. The legislation rewards those who place high value on education, on hard work, and on service to country.
To see a full text of the letter, click here.
President Obama’s proposed $3.5 trillion budget does not lack for big ideas.
And that’s good. Big ideas, especially in the areas of technology development and deployment, are just what we need. As Steve Ballmer told the Democratic Caucus last month, innovation must reclaim its status as the engine that drives our economy.
“America really has to return to growth that's built on innovation and productivity, rather than leverage and private debt,” Ballmer said. “The time has come when we need to renew our innovation capacity.”
The president’s budget proposal makes unequivocal commitments to innovation through significant investments in science and technology research, modernizing our energy infrastructure and expanding the use of electronic medical records and health IT.
In the realm of basic research, the Obama administration plans to double the funding for key science programs over the next decade. The budget proposes large increases in funding for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. The budget provides $70 million for the Technology Innovation Program, which invests in high-impact research that will address critical national needs and advance innovation.
The budget also addresses both green technology and support for green jobs. President Obama is proposing major investments to develop and demonstrate smart grid technologies, and increased funding for graduate fellowship programs that will train students in sustainable energy-related fields.
Finally, building on the billions of dollars to support electronic health records contained in the recently enacted stimulus package, the budget includes additional investments to implement health IT, which the administration calls “an essential tool to modernize the health care system.” Using technology to modernize the health care system and improve health outcomes is a major priority for Microsoft, and we have been privileged to provide our input to Congress as it considers what role the federal government can play in advancing health IT.
Expectations for the president’s innovation policies are high, and the budget makes it clear that these are high-priority issues for the administration. We at Microsoft are pleased that technological and scientific innovation are getting the attention they deserve from President Obama, since they can play a crucial role in moving the economy forward again.
I recently moved from Washington state, where I led Microsoft’s state government relations team, back to D.C. to assume my new role as Microsoft’s managing director for U.S. Government Affairs.
My return to D.C. (I previously had the great privilege of working for then-House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt) comes at a time fraught with economic and political challenges. But it’s also a moment bursting with potential – the potential to think carefully about what our priorities should be and what investments we need to make to put our country on the path to a better future.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had the opportunity to speak to the House Democratic Caucus earlier today, discussing the important role technology can play in re-energizing the U.S. economy. In his speech, which you can read here, Steve outlined his view that the US economy is going through a painful but necessary reset after years of unsustainable domestic and global growth fueled by private debt. He talked about the extraordinary opportunities facing the technology industries, and how the continued expansion of computing, new form factors, access to information and data from anywhere and on any device, and new ways of interacting with our computers would open the way for innovation and solutions that are not even imaginable today.
While the current economic situation is obviously very difficult and affecting millions of Americans, Steve expressed his belief in the fundamentals of the American economy and his optimism that we could return to growth if we made the tough choices and invested for the long-term.
In his speech, Steve outlined several steps to lay the foundation for economic progress and recovery:
In the weeks ahead, I’ll be back to elaborate on each of these areas in greater detail, along with other members of Microsoft’s public policy team.
Communication obviously is a two-way street. What do you think are the most pressing issues facing our nation, particularly on the technology front? I look forward to hearing your views and continuing our online conversation.