Representatives Norman Dicks (D-WA) and Ralph Regula (R-OH) will be presented with the first USGS Coalition Leadership Award at a Congressional Reception on Monday evening, September 15, 2008. They will be honored for their enduring support for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Representative Dicks is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and Representative Ralph Regula is former Chairman of the Subcommittee. Additionally, the USGS Coalition reception will highlight the research, information sharing, and services provided by the USGS.
"The U.S. Geological Survey is one of the nation's premiere science agencies. It benefits the lives of every American," said Dr. Craig Schiffries, co-chair of the USGS Coalition and director for geoscience policy at the Geological Society of America. "Representatives Dicks and Regula are being honored for promoting the important science sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey and for providing the agency with the funding required to address many of our nation's most pressing challenges," said Schiffries.
Data and products derived from USGS research benefit everyone. The work conducted and supported by the USGS informs natural hazards monitoring, drinking-water studies, biological and geological resource assessments, and other activities.
"The need for science in support of public policy decision-making has never been greater," said Dr. Robert Gropp, USGS Coalition co-chair and director of public policy at the American Institute of Biological Sciences. "USGS scientists produce knowledge that supports water, energy and mineral resource management, wildlife and ecosystem management, and protection and prevention measures for natural disasters. Representatives Dicks and Regula have long recognized this and worked to provide the agency with the resources necessary to serve our nation," said Gropp.
"We look forward to this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the leadership of Representatives Dicks and Regula on behalf of the U.S. Geological Survey." said Schiffries.
USGS scientists and their collaborators will be on hand at the reception to discuss the vital work the USGS conducts in the biological, geographical, geological and hydrological sciences. The reception will occur from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Gold Room (Room 2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Members of the media interested in attending the reception or receiving additional information about the USGS Coalition should contact Megan Kelhart, 202-628-1500 x 230 or mkelhart@aibs.org.
The USGS Coalition is an alliance of 70 organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the unique combination of biological, geological, hydrological and mapping programs of the USGS. The USGS provides independent, high-quality data, information, research support and assessments needed by federal, state, local and tribal policymakers, resource and emergency managers, engineers and planners, researchers and educators and the public. The Coalition supports increased federal investment in USGS programs that underpin responsible natural resource stewardship, improve resilience to natural and human-induced hazards, and contribute to the long-term health, security and prosperity of the nation.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America are members of the USGS Coalition.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) www.agronomy.org, the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) www.crops.org and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) www.soils.org are educational organizations helping their 11,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop, and soil sciences by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services.