Rep. Scott Peters, Democratic Whip Hoyer Hold ‘Innovation Economy’ Symposium

SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) joined with local business and education leaders to highlight the ways Congress can support the nation’s scientific and innovation economy. The event raised awareness on how Washington, D.C., and Congress can encourage job growth in one of San Diego’s signature economic arenas.

“As a country it is imperative that we adequately fund scientific research,” Rep. Peters said. “San Diego is a growing center for innovation and technology that can set an example for how business, universities, and government can work collaboratively to create an atmosphere for growth.”

Held at UC San Diego’s Great Hall, in front of a capacity crowd of more than 250 attendees, the symposium was hosted by UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla. In addition to Rep. Peters and Whip Hoyer, other panelists included Mark Cafferty, President/CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; Jerry Sanders, President/CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; John Dunn, member of the board of directors at CONNECT; Magda Marquet, PhD., the chair of the board of directors at BIOCOM; and Holly Smithson, President/COO at CleanTECH San Diego.

Congressman Peters has been a vocal supporter, both before entering Congress and after he was sworn in, of federal funding for scientific research at universities and at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to touring NIH and meeting with its director, Dr. Francis Collins, and cosponsoring legislation to exempt NIH from sequestration, he has consistently advocated for a balanced federal budget that maintains research funding so as to maintain the United States’ advantage in discovery.

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