For Immediate Release For more information, contact: Kelly Gillespie 573-761-7600 gillespie@mobio.orgPatrick Kelly, vice president of state government relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), congratulating Missouri legislators on their decision to form the Biotech Caucus. MOBIO Applauds Formation of Missouris Legislative Biotech Caucus The Missouri General Assembly Biotechnology Caucus will help Cultivate Homegrown Health, Education, Agribusiness and Economic Innovations Jefferson City (February 24, 2009) - A bipartisan group of 29 Missouri state legislators has announced its intention to form a state biotechnology caucus. Led by Kansas City Reps. Ryan Silvey (R-38) and Mike Talboy (D-37), caucus members will use this forum to continue to explore the state's deep biotech base of assets and consider market factors that affect Missouri's bioscience sector and, more broadly, the state's ability to leverage its scientific research base in support of global health, agriculture, environmental, commercialization and economic development initiatives. "Biotechnology plays a significant role in Missouri's diversified economy and warrants a unified and dedicated review of the industry and the opportunities it affords Missourians," said Silvey. The Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) applauds the Missouri legislature and its biotechnology caucus formation. "The caucus represents an important step to engage in organized discussions and more in-depth assessments of Missouri's biotechnology industry," said Kelly Gillespie, MOBIO executive director. "Missouri is home to world-class research institutions that hold the keys for unlocking diseases and new energy sources and for driving innovation that supports our state's agricultural heritage and positioning in today's high-tech, globalized economy. The biotech industry deserves the greater focus this caucus will provide and Missourians deserve a proactive legislature working to create homegrown solutions for our health, agriculture, environmental and economic challenges."
The 29 founding caucus members include senators Frank Barnitz, Joan Bray, Tom Dempsey, Tim Green, Jolie Justus, David Pearce, Kurt Schaefer and Charlie Shields and representatives Mark Bruns, Don Calloway, Tim Flook, Doug Funderburk, Steve Hobbs, Steve Hodges, Jason Holsman, Allen Icet, Kenny Jones, Sam Komo, Paul LeVota, Cole McNary, Mike Parson, Darrell Pollock, Martin Rucker, Charlie Schlottach, Ryan Silvey, Rachel Storch, Mike Talboy, Steve Tilley, and Stephen Webber. Following the inaugural meeting, caucus members will elect their own leadership and set their schedule for policy discussions. In both 2007 and 2008, members of the Missouri General Assembly volunteered after the legislative session to take part in the respected BIO Benchmarking program, a non-partisan legislative education, leadership immersion and fact-finding tour organized by MOBIO. "The establishment of a dedicated biotechnology caucus clearly indicates the commitment the Missouri General Assembly has made to ensuring that the biotechnology industry is an important component in the state's future," said Patrick Kelly, vice president of state government relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). "Having a dedicated body of key leaders in the legislature will be instrumental in helping to improve understanding of some of the complex financial and regulatory burdens confronting the industry. It also sends a clear signal to other states that Missouri is serious about attracting, growing and developing the biotechnology industry."
Missouri joins the ranks of states like Massachusetts, Virginia, Kansas, Iowa, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida, which have launched biotech caucuses.
"This time is marked by a search for solutions and new ways to stimulate our economy," said Dale Ludwig, MOBIO chairman and executive director and CEO of the Missouri Soybean Association. "There is no other industry better positioned to provide Missouri with real economic benefits by way of jobs, new technologies and answers to our food, fuel and health challenges than biotechnology." About MOBIO The Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) is a non-profit trade association that serves all Missouri organizations interested in the life sciences. MOBIO is composed of a broad cross-section of companies, institutions of higher education, research organizations and related firms involved in research, development and commercialization of the life sciences human health, plant sciences, animal health and bioenergy. MOBIO members promote economic development in Missouri by supporting life science research and practical applications that benefit the general population. MOBIO is the state affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). |
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