West. and North Central Data Coop. confirmed the difficulties they are having in recruiting employees with qualified information technology skills. The business community and educators. representing all levels of education. emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities in information technology training and education. Last year. during the closing days of the 105th Congress. we took the first step to respond to the concern over the shortage of skilled hightech workers by increasing the annual cap on HiB visas for foreign workers recruited to work in U.S. hightech industries. As important as this first step is. the increase in HiB visas by itself will not adequately respond to the shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. Nor is it acceptable to authorize an increase in the number of foreign workers coming to the U.S. to fill IT vacancies without taking steps to ensure that American workers and students have opportunities to train and qualify for these excellent opportunities. Mr.