Before I start my usual message, I want to express my personal solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they attempt to withstand a barbaric invasion by a madman. I do not speak for the Section on this, but I would hope that we are in agreement.

The last two overlong years have been a trial for everyone, but the end appears near as cases drop precipitously. As the charts below show, New York is almost over the pandemic and mask mandates are dropping across the country.

There is even more good news with regard to recent upcoming events and at least one previous event. The Engineer’s Week Seminar Series sponsored by the Engineers Joint Committee of Long Island was very well attended to the point of almost having almost run out of seating at the luncheon. This bodes well for our upcoming events, the main one being the Awards Banquet on March 31. See page 5 for more details.

The Banquet and Ceremony will feature a keynote address by Michiko Minty on the plans and purpose of the Electron-Ion Collider scheduled to be built here on Long Island at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

We are also pleased and honored to have president-elect Ed Palacio present the award plaques to our winners. This banquet also marks a first for the Section; it will be a hybrid event. Streaming will be available for a nominal charge and several members have already opted for the WebEx option. They, of course, do not get the benefit of meeting friends and colleagues over drinks or enjoying dinner in an elegant setting.

Please visit the registration site to register for the Awards Banquet. Both options are available and we look forward to seeing everyone again in person. I also want to remind everyone that the fading of the pandemic means that we must strive to get our two technical meetings scheduled for the year and to file the necessary L31s. The vitality of the Section depends on the participation of all of its members, not just the volunteers who put in their time selflessly. Stay well and we will see you on March 31.

Arnold Stillman
IEEE Long Island Section Chair, 2022

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