Comment Submitted by Karl Cureton, National Minority Technology Council

The US Federal Department of Homeland Security, in order to facilitate public participation, is inviting public comment on the issues to be considered by the newly formed Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council. The National Minority Technology Council recognizes the vital importance of the Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD–8): National Preparedness and the directive’s spirit of inclusion. There are new considerations the Council wishes to illuminate for the record regarding Research & Development, and the inductive relationships being forged with our minority technology company members, federal labs, and the venture capital community. HSAAC has appropriately focused on minority student recruitment, retention, and degree relevance. The Council encourages both DHS and Academe to include our industry as a relevant advisor and partner for both national security and economic development.