NEWS: OIDA and OSA Representatives Join in Congressional Visits Day

March 13, 2008

On March 5^th, OIDA and OSA representatives were among 250 scientists and engineers from about 30 societies and associations who visited offices on Capitol Hill as advocates for increased investments in research in the physical sciences. Prior to the visits, participants had the opportunity to hear briefings from hill staff and policy professionals on the current legislative and budget situation. Former House Science and Technology Chairman Sherwood Boehlert of New York spoke at a breakfast meeting of the full group and Congressman Bart Gordon of Tennessee, the current Chairman, spoke to and answered questions from the OIDA/OSA Group in the Committee’s hearing room. Participants worked in teams and generally visited the offices of Congressmen and Senators from their home districts and states. OSA and OIDA had prepared briefing materials on the importance of optics and photonics and Federal research for their teams to leave behind. These materials, and additional pictures from the day, can be found on the OSA web site.