The Coalition Caps off its 2006 Headliner Series with Incoming Science Committee Chair Bart Gordon

The Science Coalition wrapped up its 2006 Headliner Breakfast series and the fall congressional season at The Caucus Room on December 6th.  The featured guest speaker was current ranking member of the Science Committee and incoming Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).  A near record turnout of almost 50 university representatives and members of the science advocacy and business communities gathered to listen to remarks from the Congressman and ask questions about the current appropriations climate.

Congressman Gordon spoke fervently on his belief in the importance of American competitiveness as a priority issue in this country. He also emphasized that the best legislation is bi-partisan legislation and referenced legislation he introduced last fall that acted almost verbatim upon the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences report, Rising above the Gathering Storm.  Congressman Gordon also said he plans to “cast a wide net” and talk to many folks across the science community and thanked TSC for putting “a face on science”.  But, he warned of a “battle for dollars” in the new congress and encouraged TSC to use effective communication vehicles to get its message to both members of Congress and the general public.
Congressman Gordon is a clear ally in the ongoing fight for federal funding and the Coalition was grateful to him for his invaluable insight and suggestions moving forward.