NASA looks to Gordon's Science Committee for help

The Daily News Journal (Gannett) reports that NASA, inevitably, is looking to Murfreesboro Democrat U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, who chairs the House science committee, for help in getting funds needed to sustain NASA's interplanetary ambitions.

TN Valley Summit in Boro

The Tennessee Valley Corridor Fall Summit is underway in Murfreesboro today. U.S. Reps. Bart Gordon (left) and Zach Wamp are among featured speakers, addressing energy and the economy, workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurship. The agenda's here.

Rep. Gordon on Energy bill benefits

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) tells the DNJ of the economic benefits that will flow locally from the Energy bill he recently endorsed. Gordon chairs the House Science Committee. Other Bart Gordon reports here.

Newswrap Jan. 26

An AP story out today says Gov. Bredesen still wants repeal of the F&E tax exemption now enjoyed by family-owned non-corporate entities (FONCE), despite bipartisan opposition to a change, KNS, here (our earlier related story here). ...Memphis-area's masterIT sells IT-as-a-Utility preventive maintenance, CA, Jan. 26. ...U.S. stimulus spending for electronic medical records, smarter electrical grids and rural broadband could get $37 billion in the Obama stim package, but some observers fear IT industry's skills shortage could create bottlenecks, a prospect one executive discounts. New York Times, Jan. 25. ...Closer to home, Telemedicine expands in East TN, TFP, Jan. 22. ...A portable EHR is offered by Maryville-based Critical Access Inc., in the JCP. ...U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon says the stimulus package may include money for MTSU's $135 million new science building, TSN, Jan. 23. ...MTSU economist David Penn says creating new durable jobs will require renewed emphasis on workforce education, DNJ, Jan. 25. ...Tech2020 will convene on Wednesday to hear from Y-12 National Security Complex about doing tech-transfer partnerships. KNS, Jan. 25. ...We love our new VW plant, but Business Facilities says it was the deal second-best to Rolls-Royce's announcement in Virginia. ...ORNL's Kraken supercomputer cranks up, KNS, Jan. 23. ...East Ridge is the second city to take Chattanooga-based EPB's video service, rather than a cable competitor's, Chattanoogan.com. ...'Noogans want stimulus money for their proposed maglev rail link to Georgia, KNS, Jan. 24.

Bart Gordon gaining 'Big Mo'

Twenty-four years after his election to Congress in 1984, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon's (D-6) momentum is building. The Tennessean reports that President-Elect Barack Obama recently told Gordon, "I'm a science guy," signalling support for Gordon in his role as chair of the increasingly influential House Science and Technology Committee. The Tennessean's story this morning indicates Gordon's first priority, along with all other Members, will be supporting U.S. economic reconstruction. But, there's gathering evidence that Gordon's emphasis on AmericaCOMPETES legislation and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education will quickly gain deep traction. The story's here.

Tech advocates Wamp, Haslam eyeing Governorship

Chattanoogan.com reports Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp (L-R, respectively) will run next year to succeed Gov. Phil Bredesen, and that former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will be taking a pass. As reported by VNC, Wamp has been the motive force of the Tennessee Valley Corridor initiative and a supporter of U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon-inspired Mind2Marketplace. Haslam was recently appointed to the board of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation. [Update: Frist made official Jan. 4th his plans to remained focused on his roles at Cressey & Co., Vanderbilt University and elsewhere, rather than run for Tennessee governor.]

Bart Gordon announces Sci-Tech priorities

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon of Murfreesboro, who chairs the House Science and Technology Committee, has been forced to idle several years, during the Bush Administration. Now, with his latest pronouncement on his committee's priorities, he seems poised to sprint off the blocks, to secure funding for his America COMPETES program and other initiatives. Read the DNJ story here and the congressman's release here. Our related story is here.

Wamp delivers

U.S. Rep. Zack Wamp (D-3) delivered on his promise to U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-6) to bring a major high-tech economic development event to Mid-Tennessee. Our story is here.

Bart Gordon retains Science leadership

It should be good news for Middle Tennessee and the nation that U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-6), at left, was on Nov. 20 re-elected as chairman of the U.S. House Science and Technology Committee, which he has chaired the past two years. The committee earlier this year observed its 50th Anniversary, but has perhaps never been more important to the nation than during the present crisis. Gordon said in a statement after his reelection, in part, "...there is much more work to be done, especially in light of our country’s current economic problems. The major challenges facing our country -- a foundering economy, a changing climate, a growing need for clean energy we produce at home -- will be solved by science, technology, and American innovation. It’s more important than ever that we are looking at how we can grow new sectors of the U.S. economy and ensure our long-term competitiveness.” His committee members will be announced in January 2009. Among other initiatives, Rep. Gordon's challenge three years ago resulted in the creation of the Mind2Marketplace initiative. Gordon, 59, is a lifelong resident of Murfreesboro, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (1971) and the UT College of Law (1973).