The Coalition Kicks off its 2007 Headliner Breakfast Series with Congressman Adam Putnam

The Science Coalition kicked off a new Congressional season and its 2007 Headliner Breakfast series with Representative Adam Putnam (R-FL) at Charlie Palmer Steak on February 8th.   Congressman Putnam, who assumed Chairmanship of the House Republican Conference in the 110th Congress, making him third in  the Republican leadership, was the event’s featured guest speaker. 

A turnout of roughly 40 university representatives and members of the science advocacy community and its business partners gathered to listen to remarks from the Congressman and ask questions about the current appropriations climate.  Joining them was University of Florida President, Bernard Machen, who was on hand to introduce the Congressman. 

Congressman Putnam spoke passionately and quite candidly about the consequences of a global society and how this raises the significance of American competitiveness and the imperative task of inspiring the next generation of innovators in this country.  While he addressed the importance of direct investment in research and development, the Congressman also emphasized the need for continued investment in K-12 education.  He suggested it’s important we build on existing programs that bring professionals into America’s classrooms.  Congressman Putnam also pointed out the broader implications of science funding and suggested that the university system in this country can solve our energy problems; an issue that he maintains is met with broad political agreement on Capitol Hill.  According to Congressman Putnam, each department has a role to play in this effort and it is important that groups like the Coalition continue to educate Members on the differences between departments, such as NSF and NIH.  However, the Congressman warned of a federal budget that currently has fifty percent of its resources “on autopilot” to maintain entitlement programs alone.  And until leaders find the “political will and courage” to address some of these funding issues, many efforts, like that of the Coalition, will pay some price.

The Coalition was thrilled to host Congressman Putnam for the first time and looks forward to working with him in the future. He 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.