Tech group president to government: 'Embrace us'

The head of the trade group that stages the Consumer Electronics Show said today that his sector -- unlike others seeking a share of the massive stimulus package now being hashed out in Congress -- "does not seek a government handout or bailout money."

In a keynote address before thousands attending the annual show in Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro said the high-tech industry remained a "bright light" in an otherwise gloomy economy.

"We offer opportunity," he said. "To every other industry and to government, we say 'embrace us, use us?'" to save money and energy while improving services. Shapiro urged Congress to promote innovation and reject legislative proposals that could undermine the nation's competitiveness. He offered lawmakers and President-elect Obama a checklist to evaluate the impact of new legislation, including whether it creates jobs, spurs new technology, encourages the immigration of high-tech workers, rewards risk-taking, promotes exports or helps deploy broadband.