BIO Honors PA Senator as a Legislator of the Year.
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Press Release Summary:
On April 01, 2009, BIO announced its selection of Senator Arlen Specter as a Legislator of the Year for 2008-2009. The senator was commended, according to BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood, "for his continued efforts to ensure that the unique importance of life science patents is respected during reform efforts." The senator was also thanked for his dedication to increasing funding at the National Institutes of Health as well as for his advocacy for embryonic stem cell research.
Original Press Release:
Senator Specter Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, April 01, 2009) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) as Legislator of the Year for 2008-2009. Senator Specter received the award today during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
"BIO commends Senator Specter for his continued efforts to ensure that the unique importance of life science patents is respected during reform efforts. Through his position as Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee, he has consistently remained a voice of reason in the patent reform debate," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "We also thank him for his dedication to increasing the funding at the National Institutes of Health. His efforts recently yielded $10 billion in additional funding at NIH."
"Furthermore, Senator Specter has been an unequaled advocate for embryonic stem cell research. He has fought this battle for years on end, and he continues to fight it. For these reasons, and for so many more, I can think of no one more deserving than Arlen Specter as a BIO Legislator of the Year," Greenwood continued.
"The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is among the most bio-intensive regions in the United States. Senator Specter has been an invaluable resource for the bioscience community within Pennsylvania and the industry at large," said Pennsylvania Bio President Dennis M. "Mickey" Flynn. "His leadership on numerous issues of importance to the industry and commitment to meeting with and understanding the needs of individual bioscience companies should serve as a model to all his colleagues in the Senate. On behalf of Pennsylvania's industry, we congratulate Senator Specter on receiving this award. It is well deserved."
During the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, more than 250 biotechnology industry representatives from 36 states, including Pennsylvania, participated in hundreds of meetings with key Members of the House and Senate. Participants discussed issues critical to the biotechnology industry, including follow-on biologics, FDA appropriations, biofuels, and patent reform.
The award was presented today at noon during a luncheon at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.
Photos available upon request.
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About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
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