About
14 February 2014
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter Brings Optics Message to OSA Volunteer Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lyndsay Meyer
The Optical Society
+1.202.416.1435
lmeyer@osa.org
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter Brings Optics Message to OSA Volunteer Leaders
OSA Winter Leadership Meeting attendees also visit Capitol Hill to bring message of National Photonics Initiative to Congress
“Rochester has faced down significant challenges in the past few decades, and through it all, we have worked diligently to build the economy of tomorrow- one built upon groundbreaking optics technology that is creating jobs here at home and changing lives around the world,” Slaughter said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the success we have achieved, and am committed to growing the Rochester optics industry even more and cementing Rochester as the optics capital of the world.”
Rep. Slaughter is known in the optics and photonics community for her support of high-tech industry and manufacturing in Rochester. She has highlighted the need for investments in science and technology at both the local and national level. She has also worked tirelessly to bring new business into the Eastman Business Park in Rochester and help local employers there compete for federal funding. For example, she is credited with securing millions of dollars in funding over the last 10 years for the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester. In a recent op-ed in The Hill, Rep. Slaughter expressed concern for federal budget cuts to scientific research, saying that “the future of our economy lies in advanced manufacturing and research and development in fields like OPID [optics, photonics, imaging and displays].”
“As professionals in the optics and photonics community, we understand the importance of investments in research, development, technical training and entrepreneurship,” said OSA President Philip H. Bucksbaum of Stanford University. “Having a champion like Rep. Slaughter voice her support for these areas helps motivate and mobilize OSA’s membership to take action on important policy issues affecting our community. We’re grateful to Rep. Slaughter for her efforts on behalf of science and technology and look forward to working with her on important policy initiatives in the coming months.”
OSA Members visiting Washington for the Leadership Meeting also took advantage of the close proximity to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to discuss the need for a National Photonics Initiative. OSA, along with several other scientific societies, is working on a coordinated effort between industry, academia and government to assemble recommendations that will help guide U.S. funding and investment in five key photonics-driven fields: advanced manufacturing, communications and IT, defense and national security, energy and health and medicine. OSA Members visited with key members of Congress as part of this ongoing effort.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rep. Slaughter’s video address is available in the OSA Video Library.
About OSA
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional society for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders who fuel discoveries, shape real-world applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership programs, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of professionals in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
