Statement from Rep. Scott Peters re: the Passing of Duane Roth

SAN DIEGO -- Today, Congressman Scott Peters issued the following statement regarding the death of his friend, Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT San Diego: 

"The passing of Duane Roth is a huge loss for San Diego and for California. His incisive understanding of our innovation economy has driven our local business attraction strategy and changed the way people think about San Diego and what it has to offer.

"It was what Duane taught me about our local economy that helped me choose which Congressional committee assignments I would seek; and he greatly influenced the way I advocate for our region in Congress. I will deeply miss his excellent counsel and his friendship. And San Diego will miss his leadership.

"Duane helped shape how we now characterize our economy. It was a very forward-thinking approach back in the 90s when he, as a founding board member of BIOCOM, helped launch the dialogue to redefine San Diego to the world as a unique and leading scientific and research hub. It is due in large part to his tireless advocacy for San Diego's innovation ecosystem and innovation economy that many businesses and investors now view San Diego as an attractive place to grow their company or advance their research.

"There is no way for any one person to fill the void that Duane’s loss will create. But I challenge San Diego's business, research and elected leaders to honor him by building upon the ground work he laid to build a brighter, more prosperous future for San Diego. I, too, will support those efforts to the fullest extent that I can."

"My family and my staff extend our prayers and sympathy to Renee, Ted and all of Duane’s family. We all held him in high regard."

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