Background
The CVD is a two-day annual event that brings scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, and technology executives to Washington to raise visibility and support for science, engineering, and technology. Uniquely multi-sector and multi-disciplinary, the CVD is coordinated by coalitions of companies, professional societies and educational institutions and it is open to all people who believe that science and technology comprise the cornerstone of our Nation's future. The objective of CVD is to underscore the long-term importance of science, engineering, and technology to the Nation through meetings with congressional decision makers. Specifically participants 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 highlight that research should be viewed as an investment, not as an expense. More information about CVD can be seen at http://www.agiweb.org/cvd.
CoFARM Bio-Security Briefings
Within the framework of the overall CVD, CoFARM developed its own “ag” agenda kicking off the two-day event on April 2 with a series of educational briefings for key policy makers concerning agriculture security issues. Scientists representing agricultural economics, animal science, crop science, plant pathology, and, microbiology met with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the White House Homeland Security Council as well as House (House Select Committee on Homeland Security) and Senate staff.
The afternoon of April 3, 2003 CoFARM member society representatives and constituent scientists visited Congressional members and their staff to discuss the importance of agriculture research in filling many voids in addressing other issues associated with our national security, food supply, and the nation's health. Member offices visited included:
Visits to Capitol Hill
Senate: Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Zel Miller (D-GA).
House: Representatives Jerry Moran (R-1st KS), Jack Kingston (R-1st GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-9th OH), David Obey (D-7th WI), David Price (D-4th NC), Charles Pickering (R-3rd MS), Roger Wicker (R-1st MS), Robert Aderholt (R-4th AL), John Boehner (R-8th OH), Tom Osborne (R-3rd NE), Jim Marshall (D-3rd GA), Sanford Bishop (D-2nd GA), Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd NY), Doug Bereuter (R-1st NE), Robert Cramer (D-5th AL).
Photographs:
Left to right-John Sherwood (American Phytopathological Society), Anne Vidaver (American Society for Microbiology), Jim Shroyer (Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science Societies), Bob Norton (Federation of Animal Science Societies), Dave Schweikhardt (Council on Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics).
Congressman Nick Smith (R-7th Michigan) with CoFARM member scientists, left to right, Dave Lineback (Institute of Food Technologists), Bill Herndon (Coalition for Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics, CFARE), Allan Randall (CFARE), Jim Shroyer (Agronomy, Crop and Soil Sciencde Societies), Congressman Nick Smith (R-7th MI), John Sherwood (American Phytopathological Society), Anne Vidaver (American Society for Microbiology), Dale Bauman (American Society for Nutritional Sciences). Not featured are scientists representing Federation of Animal Science Societies.
Congressman Nick Smith (R-7th Michigan) receiving CoFARM-Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition award from Ecological Society of America President Ann Bartusca.
Left to right-Nadine Lymn (Ecological Society of America), Karl Glasener (Chair, CoFARM), Congressman Nick Smith (R-7th Michigan), and Adrienne Froelich (American Institute of Biological Sciences).