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Tag: D.C.

  • Gardner to Self-Quarantine Following Contact with Coloradan who Tested Positive for Coronavirus

    Gardner to Self-Quarantine Following Contact with Coloradan who Tested Positive for Coronavirus

    Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the following statement regarding his decision to self-quarantine after contact with a Colorado constituent who was visiting Washington, D.C. and later tested positive for coronavirus. 

    “I was alerted today by the Tri-County Health Department that a Coloradan who visited my Washington office for a constituent meeting has tested positive for coronavirus. While I am not showing any symptoms at this time, I have made the decision to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution with an effective date of March 11th at the recommendation of the Tri-County Health Department. The health and safety of Coloradans and Americans across the nation is my top priority, and I will continue working to make sure Congress provides the resources needed to help combat the spread of COVID-19,” said Senator Gardner.

    Senator Gardner is taking action to protect Coloradans from the COVID-19 outbreak:

    • On March 17, Gardner requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide clear guidelines to state and local governments on the options available to them under the national emergency declaration.
    • On March 17, Gardner also called for additional provisions known as the American Workforce Act to support American workers and boost the economy to be included in the economic stimulus package being considered by the Senate in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
    • On March 16, Gardner urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to take every precaution to ensure veterans receive quality medical care during the COVID-19 outbreak.
    • Congress approved $8.3 billion for the United States to prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 5, with Gardner’s support.
    • At Gardner’s urging, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Robert Lighthizer removed tariffs on certain medical products that are necessary for the U.S. to prepare for the COVID-19 outbreak.
    • On March 4, Gardner pressed Senate witnesses about the United States’ preparedness for the COVID-19 outbreak at a hearing held by the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation and Space’s hearing titled “From SARS to Coronavirus: Examining the Role of Global Aviation in Containing the Spread of Infectious Disease.”
    • Gardner and the entire Colorado congressional delegation sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Wellness and Response on March 4 in support of the State of Colorado’s grant request to ensure preparedness for the novel coronavirus outbreak.  
    • On February 28, Gardner wrote to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Robert Lighthizer requesting USTR remove section 301 import tariffs on medical products that are necessary for the U.S. to prepare for the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
    • On February 27, Gardner wrote to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson requesting information regarding the United States’ domestic and international screening and prevention practices for the coronavirus with regard to countries with a growing number of hotspots.
    • On February 6, Gardner wrote to Senate Appropriations leaders requesting that they work with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure robust funding for the outbreak response.
    • On January 31, Gardner wrote to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros concerning Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO and WHO-sponsored emergency briefings regarding the coronavirus.
    • Also on January 31, Gardner wrote to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar requesting that the novel coronavirus taskforce coordinate with medical supply manufacturers to ensure that the U.S. has a medical supply strategy in place to address possible shortages in light of potential further spread of the virus.
    • In January after the first reports of the coronavirus were confirmed in the U.S., Gardner contacted the CDC to inquire about steps that they plan to take to contain the outbreak and work with other domestic and international agencies to develop screening practices and treatments.
    • Gardner also contacted the State Department with concerns about the coronavirus and its implication for global health, and China’s handling of the outbreak.
    • At Gardner’s urging on January 24, the U.S. Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a briefing from top U.S. officials regarding the coronavirus.

     

     

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  • CSU, Fort Collins making impact on world via Peace Corps

    CSU, Fort Collins making impact on world via Peace Corps

    Fort Collins ranks third nationally in per-capita Peace Corps volunteers, while Colorado State University once again ranks 15th among large universities (15,000-plus enrollment) in the number of volunteers currently serving in the Peace Corps.

    Those figures, released this week by the Peace Corps from its headquarters in Washington, D.C., continue the area’s strong commitment to the international service and outreach organization that has its roots firmly planted at CSU.

    “These rankings are a reflection of our history of involvement with the Peace Corps, which has led to the campus and community embracing this great organization’s mission as part of our heritage,” said Kathleen Fairfax, CSU’s Vice Provost for International Affairs. “We have faculty and staff who are former Peace Corps volunteers spread across campus, so our students benefit from active engagement with people who have already served.

    “Honestly, the Peace Corps is part of our DNA, and that is reflected in these rankings.”

    Fort Collins ranks only behind Charlottesville, Virginia – home of the University of Virginia – and Missoula, Montana – home of the University of Montana – in per-capita volunteers with 13.3 for every 100,000 residents. Fort Collins is the only Colorado city ranked in the top 10.

    Fairfax said a large number of Peace Corps alumni live in Fort Collins and meet regularly. They actively recruit area residents to serve in the organization.

    As for CSU, because of its many years of consistently ranking as a top producer of volunteers, the Peace Corps has designated two active recruiters on campus who work with both students and city residents. Erin Cubley, who served a two-year stint in Morocco from 2009-11, is working toward a Ph.D. in ecology at CSU while representing the Peace Corps.

    “We have a very strong alumni group in Fort Collins that fosters awareness of the Peace Corps. I work not only with CSU students, but with area residents interested in Peace Corps service,” Cubley said. “Fort Collins is a special community where people are very engaged, so I was not surprised to learn we are ranked third.”

    CSU, which currently has 48 students serving in the Peace Corps, ranks second in the state to the University of Colorado (12th overall) in the 2020 rankings; Colorado College ranks 13th among small schools (less than 5,000 enrollment). CSU is 11th all-time with 1,758 total students serving since the Peace Corps debuted in 1961.

    Since its creation by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has been sending Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with international communities and create lasting change. CSU researchers Pauline Birky-Kreutzer and Maurice Albertson published a feasibility study that helped lead to the creation of the international development organization. To date, more than 220,000 volunteers have served in 60 countries.

    Information about CSU’s connection to the Peace Corps is available online.

     

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  • Gardner, Baldwin, Wicker, Peters Introduce Industries of the Future Bill

    Gardner, Baldwin, Wicker, Peters Introduce Industries of the Future Bill

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather, along with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced S. 3191, the Industries of the Future Act of 2020. The legislation would advance U.S. global leadership in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, quantum information science, synthetic biology, and next generation wireless networks and infrastructure. 

     “As technology continues to evolve, bringing new opportunities and challenges along with it, it’s critical the United States plan ahead for the Industries of the Future,” said Senator Gardner. “This bill will help America prepare for new innovations and technologies that will change the world and increase the quality of life for people everywhere. I’m proud to be part of this bipartisan legislation to help ensure we remain a global leader in technology.”

     “I want Wisconsin workers and businesses to be global leaders in developing the next generation of infrastructure, technology and advanced manufacturing,” said Senator Baldwin. “We must ensure that our investments into research and development today produce economic growth and job creation in the future. Our bipartisan legislation will support strong investments that will boost new, emerging industries and drive our nation’s workforce into the future.”

     “Our investments in research, development, and innovation have made the United States a global leader in science and technology,” said Senator Wicker. “This legislation would support and promote the advancement of next generation technologies that will drive Industries of the Future. I thank Senator Gardner, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Peters for their contributions to this important bill.”

      “We need a more coordinated approach at the federal level to ensure America is leading the world in developing advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and preparing our workforce for these industries of the future,” said Senator Peters. “America has been at the forefront of inventing new industries. This bipartisan legislation is important to maintaining our leadership, growing our economy, and protecting our national security.”

     The Industries of the Future Act of 2020 would:

    • Require the Trump Administration to develop a report on the research and development programs of the federal government that focus on Industries of the Future.
    • Require a plan for doubling the baseline investments in such industries by 2022 and a plan for increasing civilian spending on Industries of the Future to $10 billion by fiscal year 2025. The bill would also require the Administration to propose legislation to implement such spending plans.
    • Require a Coordination Council that would better focus existing entities and require those entities to focus on advancing Industries of the Future.

     Click here to read the bill text.

     The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

     

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