AMS and MSRI sponsor Capitol Hill mathematics briefing

Ingrid Daubechies (Princeton University), Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers and David Eisenbud (MSRI)

Professor Ingrid Daubechies, of Princeton University, spoke on "Mathematics, Patterns and Homeland Security" at this year's Congressional lunch briefing on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress and their staffs, held February 28, 2002, in the Rayburn Building. The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), Berkeley, California, joined AMS to sponsor the event, one in a series intended to bring mathematicians to Washington to discuss federally-funded research that affects sensitive issues currently before Congress.

Professor Daubechies described how mathematicians use wavelet analysis in several of these areas, for example, the FBI uses wavelets to compress its vast library of fingerprint data. Wavelets are also a key ingredient in the analysis of sonar data.

David Eisenbud, MSRI Director, welcomed guests on behalf of AMS and MSRI. James Schatz, of the National Security Agency, introduced the speaker and gave a short overview of the types of security issues encountered by NSA.

Congressman Rush Holt and Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, long-time champions of science, were our Congressional hosts, and both attended the briefing.