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Home / News / OSA Public Policy Programs / Special Events

Capitol Hill Day 2009


Held in Conjunction with CLEO/IQEC 2009

Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) meets with all Capitol Hill Day 2009 participants in Washington, D.C. IEEE member Clinton Smith speaks with Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) in the halls of Capitol Hill. IEEE member Scott Hrinko sits down to a personal meeting with his Congressman, Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.), to discuss the importance of federal funding for R&D. Capitol Hill Day participants from California and Oregon pause from a busy day of meetings to snap a photo near the Capitol Building. OSA Member Nima Dinyari poses with his Senator, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) after meeting with him to discuss the importance of science funding.  
Click images to enlarge

For Participants:

Event Agenda

Talking Points:

R&D Budget Background Information:

OSA, along with OIDA, the American Physical Society and IEEE-USA again hosted Capitol Hill Day -- a unique opportunity for members of these societies to visit directly with their elected officials in Washington, D.C. and make their voices heard on important science issues like federal funding for scientific research and development.

The 2009 event took place June 3 to 4 – coinciding with CLEO/IQEC in Baltimore. A brief early evening orientation and training occurred June 3 at the Baltimore Convention Center and buses transported participants from Baltimore to D.C. on June 4 for in-person meetings with lawmakers and their staff. OSA, OIDA, APS and IEEE staff scheduled all appointments and provided background information and talking points for participants.

Why participate?

  • The U.S. Congress shapes policy that directly affects scientists, including you in the optics and photonics community.
  • America’s leaders not only determine government funding levels for research, but they also define what kind of research receives support.
  • Lawmakers also determine government support and programs for students including fellowship opportunities and programs at the K-12 level.
  • It is important that members of Congress hear directly from their constituents about the importance of these programs to their district, state, and the nation.
  • Events like this are a great way for scientist-constituents to advocate directly for issues like increased support and increased funding for:
    • Department of Defense research
    • NSF
    • NIST
    • Department of Energy research

To learn about how you can participate in OSA public policy opportunities like Capitol Hill Day, as well as receive updates on U.S. public policy that affects the scientific community, sign up for OSA’s Optics Legislative Network at www.osa.org/OLN.