Wamp works Washington

Former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp and Knoxville Vice Mayor Joe Bailey are teaming in Zach Wamp Consulting, handling government relations and related matters. His recent public comments hint that he may focus on creating public-private partnerships. The KNS has it. MetroPulse points out that Wamp cannot lobby Congress directly for about a year.

US brainpower 'Competes'

The America COMPETES Act was reauthorized and signed into law by President Obama, Jan. 4th. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (left) said the program is crucial to cultivating American brainpower. The program advances funding for DOE Science, NIST and NSF, as well as STEM education. AIP reports here.

Fighting for America COMPETES

A wide coalition of industry and academe is pressing Congress this week to reauthorize the America COMPETES Act, before a freshly divided Congress is seated. The AIP bulletin here. Related innovation coalition.

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).