Contacts: Tamara Wagester

The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

202-408-8522

SCIENTISTS SPEND TWO DAYS IN CAPITOL FOR BRIEFINGS AND CONGRESSIONAL VISITS

Washington, DC -- March 5-6 marked the seventh annual Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Days (CVD). This event was attended by more than 200 scientists, engineers and business leaders who met in our Nation’s Capitol for briefings by Administration and Congressional leaders and staff.

Dr. John Lee (Professor of Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University) and Dr. David Schweikhardt (Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University) attended on behalf of The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C-FARE). The goal of this event was to convey to Congress the need for an increased and balanced federal investment in research and development that is essential to U.S. global leadership. In visiting Congressional office these scientists highlighted that research should be viewed as an investment, not as an expense.

The two-day event was kicked off on March 5 with Administration briefings highlighting some Fiscal Year 2003 budget issues. Speakers included Dr. Rita Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation and Dr. William Berry, Director for Basic Research at the Department of Defense. The evening activities were commemorated with a speech by Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) of the House Science Committee, who was presented with the George E. Brown, Jr. Science-Engineering-Technology Leadership Award.

On March 6, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) offered remarks concerning the future of science and technology in our nation. Following this event, the participants visited Congressional offices to discuss the importance of agriculture research which will fill many voids in addressing other issues associated with our national security, food supply, and the nation’s health. Member offices visited included: Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Congressman Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS), Congressman Nick Smith (R-MI), and Congressman Roger Wicker (R-MS),

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