Normand Mousseau

Professeur Adjoint

Departement de Physique

Universite de Montreal

Montreal, Canada

24 August 2001

Marc H. Brodsky (via e-mail)

CEO and Executive Director

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse

College Park, Maryland 20740

Dear Dr. Brodsky,

Like many other physicists, I have been involved in fighting for the rights of scientists wrongfully imprisoned or targeted in China, Cuba, and other authoritarian countries. I never thought that I would have to do the same for a fellow physicists wrongfully fired by an association of which I am a member.

I have heard from colleagues about the fate of Dr. Jeff Schmidt, a staff writer at Physics Today. As it is reported, this action is totally unacceptable. It is especially so for an organization such as the AIP that has long fought for the rights of scientists.

If the reasons for firing Dr. Schmidt are justifiable, I would urge you to express them publicly to the physics community. Otherwise, you should reinstate Dr. Schmidt to this previous position.

I have been a faithful member of the APS and AIP since I started my graduate career 12 years ago. However, I cannot remain a member of an organization that stifles the right of workers and free speech. I hope that this is only a misunderstanding and that the situation will be resolved quickly.

Waiting to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

Normand Mousseau