About
07 June 2010
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Named 2010 OSA Advocate of Optics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lyndsay Meyer
The Optical Society
+1.202.416.1435
lmeyer@osa.org
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Named 2010 OSA Advocate of Optics
Rep. Giffords and OSA President Wyant
WASHINGTON, June 7 – The Optical Society (OSA) is recognizing U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) today as its 2010 Advocate of Optics. Rep. Giffords was chosen for this recognition for her work on H.R.3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. This legislation seeks to improve solar technology research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programs. She is also being recognized for her work on the House of Representatives’ Science and Technology (S&T) Committee. Rep. Giffords represents the Tucson area, which is home to a large cluster of photonics companies, making her an invaluable asset to the optics and photonics community. OSA President James C. Wyant, dean of the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona, presented Rep. Giffords with the recognition today at the University of Arizona’s Optical Sciences Building.
“Since becoming a member of Congress, Rep. Giffords has continuously worked to promote science and technology with a particular emphasis on solar energy,” said Wyant. “Her hard work has not only benefited her district here in Tucson, but also the larger optics and photonics community. I am honored to present this recognition to Rep. Giffords.”
Rep. Giffords is serving her second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon entering Congress, Rep. Giffords quickly established herself as a champion of energy independence and solar initiatives. In addition to the House S&T Committee, she also serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also the chair of the S&T Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
To be recognized as an OSA Advocate of Optics, a public official must have a record consistent with his or her support of science, optics and photonics and be an enthusiastic advocate for science policy issues, with particular regard to the advancement of the science of light.
About OSA
Uniting more than 106,000 professionals from 134 countries, the Optical Society (OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
###
