Bill Gates among top tech execs to join economic lobbying group

WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- Bill Gates is among four top U.S. tech executives to join a lobbying effort co-founded by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, the group says.

Gates, the chairman of Microsoft, two more of the company's leaders and investor Sean Parker will aid FWD.us in promoting the country's economic growth, starting with a push for immigration reform, The Hill reported Friday.

Gates and Parker, founding president of Facebook, are listed as founders of FWD.us.

The other Microsoft executives, CEO Steve Ballmer and General Counsel Brad Smith, are shown as contributors.

Joe Green, president of FWD.us, praised the men for joining the group's "efforts to organize and engage the tech community."

Besides comprehensive immigration reform, FWD.us plans to lobby for education reform, along with improved science, technology, math and engineering education programs.

Listed as major donors to the organization are Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.