PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Deitzer Participates in Coalition Visits to Capitol Hill

ASPB member Jerry Deitzer, University of Maryland, and ASPB staff participated in a science coalition Congressional Visits Day (CVD) March 15. CoFARM and the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) sponsored the CVD.

Deitzer met with the staff in the offices of Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD). He joined with other scientists in urging support for the National Science Foundation and USDA National Research Initiative. Deitzer said the visit with Department of Agriculture officials was very informative in terms of evaluating future directions of research programs such as the NRI. He noted that participating in Capitol Hill visits, such as this coalition effort, is important to influence legislative policy and to educate members of Congress about the importance of basic biological research, especially in areas such as plant science. He encouraged increased participation in future CVDs.

ASPB is a member of both CoFARM and BESC. The Society also participates in several other science coalitions conducting education outreach efforts with Congress. (Please see story on Coalition for National Science Funding exhibition.)