Mike Johanns Nominated to be Ag Secretary
Governor Mike Johanns, Chairman
Mike Johanns was sworn into office as Nebraska's 38th Governor on January 7, 1999 and in November, 2002 became the first Republican to be re-elected Governor of Nebraska since 1956. As Governor, he has promoted an agenda of tax relief, less government, building the economy, protecting families, and ensuring the health, safety, and success of Nebraska's children.
Mike Johanns was born in Iowa and raised on a dairy farm. He graduated from Osage (Iowa) Community High School, St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota, and earned his law degree from Creighton University in Omaha. He then clerked for the Honorable Hale McCown at the Nebraska Supreme Court.
Mike Johanns has two children and is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and former State Senator.
Governor Ruth Ann MinnerRuth Ann Minner's election as Delaware's first woman governor is the latest milestone in a remarkable journey - a testament to hard work and determination and a true Delaware story.
As Lieutenant Governor from 1993 to 2001, Ruth Ann led a comprehensive review of state government, spearheading changes in state agencies that made them more efficient and customer-friendly. As chair of the Interagency Council on Adult Literacy, she led the expansion of Delaware's adult education network. And she worked to engage parents in their children's schools, a key component to educational success.
As Governor, Ruth Ann is working to improve our schools, strengthen and make safe our families, foster economic development, protect our environment and make Delaware more livable, and run the state government responsibly and well.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/chairs.html 5dec04
Membership List
John Baldacci Craig Benson Jeb Bush Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. Governor of Maine Governor of New Hampshire Governor of Florida Governor of Maryland Ernie Fletcher John Hoeven Bob Holden Mike Johanns, Chairman Governor of Kentucky Governor of North Dakota Governor of Missouri Governor of Nebraska Joseph E. Kernan Judy Martz James E. McGreevey Ruth Ann Minner, Vice-Chairwoman Governor of Indiana Governor of Montana Governor of New Jersey Governor of Delaware George E. Pataki Tim Pawlenty Sonny Perdue Mitt Romney Governor of New York Governor of Minnesota Governor of Georgia Governor of Massachusetts Kathleen Sebelius Bob Taft Charles W. Turnbull Governor of Kansas Governor of Ohio Governor, Territory of the Virgin Islands Thomas J. Vilsack Mark R. Warner Bob Wise Governor of Iowa Governor of Virginia Governor of West Virginia
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/membership.html 5dec04
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership is to provide a nonpartisan forum for governors to work on issues relating to the research, development and application of biotechnology in the U.S. and abroad in ways acceptable to the consuming public. The Governors Biotechnology Partnership strives to increase public understanding and support of biotechnology's role in providing a safe, nutritious, healthful and abundant food supply to a rapidly growing global population. In addition, the Partnership supports the U.S. farming community, the essential supplier of raw materials to the U.S. food chain and the scientific research community, where innovations and answers to key questions about biotechnology originate.
The Governors Biotechnology Partnership believes in the scientific principles and practices that form the basis for biotechnology. Public policy decisions concerning all aspects of biotechnology must continue to be based on thorough scientific analysis and thoughtful evaluation of the benefits and risks of products based on biotechnology. Accordingly, we work to promote ongoing scientific research relating to biotechnology and the communication of research findings to all stakeholders, including consumers.
Outreach and advocacy activities conducted by the Governors Biotechnology Partnership will incorporate the best available science as underpinnings.
The Governors Biotechnology Partnership stands firmly behind the proven safety and ongoing benefits of biotechnology and its great potential for feeding people and addressing numerous global health and environmental problems in a responsible fashion.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/purpose.html 5dec04
Goals
The goal of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership is to increase public understanding and support of biotechnology as a key component in providing a safe, nutritious and abundant food supply to a rapidly growing global population.
This goal will be achieved through a coordinated set of activities designed to educate the public about the benefits of biotechnology and demonstrate how the technology is an environmentally safe and efficient means of providing more nutritious foods. Outreach and advocacy activities also will explain the role of biotechnology in developing pharmaceuticals and protecting the environment.
A key strategy of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership is to incorporate the best available science as the underpinning for all outreach and advocacy activities. Governors can play an important role in the future of biotechnology by working to ensure that the extraordinary benefits of this science are passed on in a responsible fashion.
Activities
Helping provide governors with the latest information:
Coordinating outreach and advocacy activities:
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/goals.html 5dec04
Governors' Biotechnology Partnership
Goals for 2003
MEMBERSHIP: The Partnership reached a membership of 30 in 2002. As a result of the November election, membership is now at 17. The Partnership wishes to represent a majority of the states in 2003.
COMMUNICATIONS: The Partnership wishes to improve communications and the flow of information between member Governors by encouraging members to use opportunities at various forums and with the media to discuss current issues relating to biotechnology and enhance the education efforts in our own states.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS: The Partnership wishes to continue to enhance and strengthen relations with the Congressional Biotechnology Caucus, the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies important to the development of biotechnology.
FACT-BASED: Members of the Partnership will speak out where false and/or non-science based information is used to discredit biotechnology, and work with legislators, business leaders and the public to avoid non-science based efforts at inappropriate laws, regulations and ordinances that inhibit the ability of biotech to thrive at home and abroad.
FOREIGN RELATIONS: The Partnership wishes to utilize opportunities to continue its relationship with both developing nations and the European Union to educate all parties as to the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of biotechnology.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/annualgoals.html 5dec04
Governors' Biotechnology Partnership
Highlights for 2001-2002
February 25, 2001: The first formal meeting of the organization in Washington, DC. Governor Vilsack was elected chair and Governor Johanns elected vice-chair. Presentations were made by Catherine Copp of the USDA on the department's role in biotechnology, and Dean Unstrom of the American Seed Trade Association on the development of accepted tolerance levels in biotech products.
August 5, 2001: The second meeting of the GBP, attended by 14 Governors, was held in Rhode Island in conjunction with the summer meeting of the National Governors Association. Former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young spoke on the potential of biotechnology for the people of Africa. In addition, a presentation was made by Dr. Martina McCloughlin on the past, present and future of biotechnology, and by Dylan Glenn, special assistant to the President on economic policy, on the Bush Administration's position on biotechnology regulation.
February 23, 2002: The most recent meeting of the GBP was in Washington, DC, where Governors heard a presentation by Dr. Channapatna Prakash of Tuskegee University on the promise of biotechnology in developing nations. In addition, a delegation from the European Union attended the meeting, including John Purvis, a member of the EU Parliament. The EU delegation spoke with members of the GBP about relations between the US and Europe, and provided an update on proposed biotechnology regulations in the EU nations.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/0102highlights.html 5dec04
Article I General Provisions
§1.01 Intent. These Bylaws are intended to provide for the orderly and effective conduct of the activities of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership ("the Partnership").
§1.02 Purpose. The purpose of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership is to provide a nonpartisan forum for governors to work on issues relating to the research, development and application of agricultural biotechnology in the U.S. and abroad in ways acceptable to the consuming public.
The Governors Biotechnology Partnership strives to increase public understanding and support of agricultural biotechnology's role in providing a safe, nutritious, healthful and abundant food supply to a rapidly growing global population. In addition, the Partnership supports the U.S. farming community, the essential supplier of raw materials to the U.S. food chain and the scientific research community, where innovations and answers to key questions about biotechnology originate.
The Governors Biotechnology Partnership believes in the scientific principles and practices that form the basis for biotechnology. Public policy decisions concerning all aspects of agricultural biotechnology must continue to be based on thorough scientific analysis and thoughtful evaluation of the benefits and risks of products based on biotechnology. Accordingly, we work to promote ongoing scientific research relating to agricultural biotechnology and the communication of research findings to all stakeholders, including consumers.
Outreach and advocacy activities conducted by the Governors Biotechnology Partnership will incorporate the best available science as underpinnings.
The Governors Biotechnology Partnership stands firmly behind the proven safety and ongoing benefits of biotechnology and its great potential for feeding people and addressing numerous global health and environmental problems.
§1.03 Rules of Procedure. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the conduct of the Partnership's activities in all cases to which they are applicable and when not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
§1.04 Amendments. New Bylaws may be adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or suspended by the vote or written consent of two-thirds of the members of the Partnership.
Article II Mailing Address
§2.01 Mailing Address. The official mailing address of the Partnership shall be determined by the Partnership Chair.
Article III Members
§3.01 Composition. The Partnership shall be composed of the governors of states and recognized United States Territories who have affirmatively elected to join the Partnership. Membership will continue until 30 days after written resignation is submitted by the Governor to the Chair. Each member governor shall have one vote.
§3.02 Officers. The initial Co-chairs shall be Governor Schafer and Governor Vilsack, until such time as an election can be held to choose a Chair by majority vote of the Partnership. The vice-chair shall be elected by majority vote of the Partnership, but shall not be of the same political party as the Chair. The Vice Chair shall serve as Acting Chair in the absence of the Chair.
§3.03 Term of Office. The Chair and Vice Chair shall serve in their respective offices for a term of two years beginning at the end of the National Governors Association's Winter meeting.
§3.04 Duties of Chair. The Chair shall call and preside over meetings, represent the Partnership in state, interstate and federal activities, and act as spokesperson of the Partnership.
Article IV Meetings of the Partnership
§4.01 Meetings. Meetings of the Partnership shall be held at least twice per year, or at the call of the Chair, at a place designated by the Chair upon reasonable notice. Any time a majority of the members of the Partnership formally petition the Chair for a meeting of the Partnership, the Chair shall call a meeting in accordance with this section.
§4.02 Quorum. The presence in person of a majority of the members of the partnership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
§4.03 Voting. The affirmative vote of 2/3rds of the members of the Partnership shall be the act of the Partnership. Governors may designate a representative to vote on their behalf. Such designations, which shall be filed with the Chair of the Partnership, shall be in writing.
§4.04 Notice. Written notice of each regular meeting including agenda and supporting materials shall be mailed to the members not less than fourteen days prior to the meeting.
§4.05 Official Partnership Communications. Both the Chair and Vice Chair of the Partnership shall sign all official communications from the Partnership to other individuals or organizations.
§4.06 Minutes. The Chair shall ensure that minutes of the proceedings of every Partnership meeting are recorded in writing and mailed to all members of the Partnership not less than 14 days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Article V Committees
§5.01 Committees. The Chair may create one or more committees, each consisting of three or more members to serve at the pleasure of the Chair. The Chair shall appoint members to the committees, and, except as provided in Article VI shall appoint a Committee Chair from among the committee members. No member shall concurrently serve as chair of more than one committee. The Chair of the Partnership shall be an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of any nominating committees. Except for the Finance Committee established under Section VI, all such committees shall have the authority designated to it by resolution of the Partnership, and shall exist until repealed by the Chair.
§5.02 Meetings and Actions of Committees. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by and held and taken in accordance with these Bylaws.
Article VI Finance
§6.01 Authority to establish finance authority. By a majority vote the Partnership can establish a finance committee with authority to raise funds, designate a fiscal agent, pay obligations of the Partnership, and carry out any other financial responsibilities assigned by the Partnership.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/bylaws.html 5dec04
Press Release 14jul04
Governor Minner Named BIO Governor of the Year
Wednesday, July 14, 2004 8:00 a.m.
Delaware Biotechnology Institute
15 Innovation Way
Newark, NJ
Governor Minner will be named BIO Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization during a ceremony at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deputy Communications Director Kate Bailey
Office of the Governor
Carvel State Office Building
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-577-8229 (office)
302-577-3118 (fax)
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/newsroom/biogovofyear.html 5dec04
NEWS RELEASE
GOVERNORS BIOTECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP GROWING;
EXPLORING WAYS TO ADVANCE BIOTECHNOLOGY
August 5, 2001
For additional information, contact:
Joe Shannahan joe.shannahan@igov.state.ia.us Chris Peterson
515-281-0173 402-471-1967
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - The Governors Biotechnology Partnership has significantly grown in recent months with more than half of all U.S. Governors now
members of the educational outreach organization.
As the group gathered in Providence during the National Governors Association annual meeting, Governor Thomas J. Vilsack (D-Iowa), who chairs the
organization, and Governor Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska), vice chair, announced that twenty-seven Governors are now members. There were thirteen founding
Governors when the organization was formed more than a year ago to promote healthy discussion of the potential of biotechnology.
Governor Vilsack said, "We are very pleased that so many Governors representing diverse states are volunteering their leadership and communications skills to
this effort, Governors who are willing to pursue education and advocacy in the public interest."
"The continuing public debate over innovations in biotechnology is healthy for the country. First, it is critically important that we explore innovations
that have the potential to relieve human suffering, whether from disease or hunger. Second, we can advocate that these innovations be based on sound science,
approved by regulators, and acceptable to consumers," said Governor Vilsack.
Governor Mike Johanns said, "The Partnership provides a platform for Governors to promote informed discussion about safe and efficient methods of food
production for the whole world over utilizing biotechnology. The promise of biotechnology includes new crops that mature faster, produce more, resist drought
and insects, and provide better nutrition. The potential will exist to feed hundreds of millions of malnourished and starving people in underdeveloped
countries around the world, especially in Asia and Africa, in a way never before possible."
The twenty-seven Governors who are members of the Partnership are: Don Siegelman, Alabama; Ruth Ann Minner, Delaware; Jeb Bush, Florida; Roy E. Barnes,
Georgia; George Ryan, Illinois; Frank O'Bannon, Indiana; Thomas J. Vilsack, Chair, Iowa; Bill Graves, Kansas; Paul Patton, Kentucky; Angus S. King, Maine;
Jesse Ventura, Minnesota; Ronnie Musgrove, Mississippi; Bob Holden, Missouri; Judy Martz, Montana; Mike Johanns, Vice Chair, Nebraska; Gary E. Johnson, New
Mexico; George E. Pataki, New York; John Hoeven, North Dakota; Bob Taft, Ohio; Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania; Jim Hodges, South Carolina; William J. Janklow, South
Dakota; Don Sundquist, Tennessee; Howard Dean, M.D., Vermont; Michael O. Leavitt, Utah; Scott McCallum, Wisconsin; and Bob Wise, West Virginia.
The Partnership invited former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, who is active in the development of African nations; Dylan Glenn, White House advisor
on economic policy; and educator Dr. Martina McGloughlin of the University of California to join discussions at the Providence meeting.
The purpose of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership is to provide a nonpartisan forum for governors to work on issues relating to the research,
development and application of biotechnology in the U.S. and abroad in ways acceptable to the consuming public.
Expanding membership in the partnership beyond the thirteen founding Governors is a Partnership goal this year in addition to raising the partnership's
profile through visible outreach activities.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/release.html 5dec04
Governor Thomas J. Vilsack:
Thank you very much. Good morning. I'm certainly honored to have the opportunity to keynote this symposium as part of the Bio 2000 Conference, which I am told is now the world's largest gathering of biotechnology experts and professionals. I'm also delighted that my state, the state of Iowa, is a major sponsor of Bio 2000. Over 24 companies and over 50 individuals are here from my state alone. The dawning of this new millennium marks the advent of a period of accelerated change, arguably like no other in history.
Today we measure progress not in terms of centuries or even years, but in fact, in months and weeks. These changes are driven by technologies, information technology, analytical technology, and biotechnology. The convergence of these technologies and advanced communications is empowering consumers around the world. Today's consumers are continually demanding better solutions, better products, and new opportunities. And it is these empowered consumers who help drive a global economy in this, the 21st century. This new consumer-driven economy will be focused on value. And when it comes to the food that consumers eat, value means a lot of things. It means quality, it means safety, it means taste, it means nutrition, cost, and convenience. Which brings us squarely to this morning's topic, the consumer marketplace for value-added biotech foods.
First, I think it's helpful to examine where we are today. You see, the market for biotech foods in the United States has been established. Foods produced using modern technology have been available since 1990. In point of fact, our first experience with biotechnology foods occurred in 1750 BC, when Summerians used a fermentation process to preserve the foods.
We have many examples of foods and crops, which currently use biotechnology that are available in the United States. We know of the tomatoes with delayed ripening traits with better flavor and freshness; of soybeans and canola and corn and cotton and potatoes that are resistant to insects, herbicides and the like; squash that is resistant to a virus; soybeans and canola that produce reduced saturated fat. All of these foods and the process by which they are produced have undergone rigorous testing and have been proven safe to eat. So indeed, the market for biotech foods has been established.
The question that remains is whether or not agricultural biotechnology will be successful. I believe it will. I believe it will because agricultural biotechnology is today improving our health, improving our diets and fueling economic development. It's raising living standards for consumers across the world. And it's changing the way in which we do business. By creating better products that meet specific needs and creating those products faster than ever before.
While farmers and seed manufacturers, food processors, and scientists understand these benefits, unfortunately many consumers do not. We, and when I say we I mean the government and the industry, have not done as good a job as we need to do explaining the benefits in lay terms to the ultimate consumer. We must do a better job of explaining these benefits so that consumers do not reject agricultural biotechnology as they have done in other parts of the world.
I know, and I suspect you do too, that agricultural biotechnology holds the promise of many, many more benefits in the future. We know that discoveries are taking place in laboratories in Iowa and across this country to harness the resources of soil and water, air and DNA, to produce better food, feed, and industrial products to prevent and cure disease and to protect our environment.
As Governor of Iowa, a state that leads the nation in the production of agriculture, I just don't see fields of corn and beans; I see fields of opportunities. I see discoveries that are taking place in these living laboratories, our fields of corn and beans. Biotechnology is a safe way to produce healthier food in greater quantities, to ensure a cleaner environment, and to aid in the fight against world hunger. And because biotechnology is so valuable to the health and sustainability of our planet, we need to continue to make a long-term commitment to the research and development of improved products through biotechnology.
Although we are feeding more than twice as many people as we were 50 years ago -- in another 25 years we'll have 8 billion mouths to feed -- 95 percent of that population growth will occur in areas which have difficulty producing their own food products. The quality of available production land in other parts of the world is disappearing at a rapid rate. We will not be able to feed the world, to meet the world demand, if we are forced to rely solely on conventional and outdated agricultural practices.
To address the food supplies of these emerging nations, researchers have gone to work. They've added genes to rice and maize to increase tolerance to aluminum, a soil toxicity problem that creates blight in areas of the tropics. In India scientists have added two genes to rice, which help the plant survive a common problem in Asia, which is being submerged for long periods of time in water.
There are many other potential medicinal benefits from agricultural technology. Let me name just a few. Vitamin A in rice. As many as 100 million children suffer from Vitamin A deficiency, the developing world's leading cause of blindness. Biotechnology can help solve that problem. Iron for women. Over 400 million women of childbearing age are iron deficient, which places children at risk of physical and mental retardation, premature death and infant mortality. Biotechnology can help solve that problem. Bananas with Hepatitis B vaccine at 10 cents a dose, a routine inoculation costs about $200. A prohibitively high cost for those in developing nations. Over 4 billion people do not have access to refrigerated milk. To meet this demand DuPont has developed an improved soy milk product that provides high quality protein at a lower cost than traditional powdered milk.
Iowa has also been involved and engaged in improving the quality of food. Iowa's Trans Ova Genetics continues to research components of milk that promise great health opportunities. The company is developing a pilot project in the near future in Sioux Center where transgenic dairy cows will produce a human protein in milk. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50. And at Kemin's world headquarters in Des Moines, research and development is taking place today to produce a dietary supplement that will prevent the onset of this health problem.
Because of Iowa's position as a large producer of grains, the state engages in more value-added biotechnology than perhaps any other area in the country. It is our precious grain resources that provide the fuel that drives this industry in our state. Iowa's corn resources provide natural compounds, which are in great demand by nutriceutical producers. Cargill and ADM utilize Iowa's vast resources in processing corn to develop corn sweeteners and other nutritional industrial products. As grain yields increase each year, thanks in part to constantly improving hibernation,
ExSeed Genetics is focused on customizing each kernel of corn for each specific end use. Iowa is home to Pioneer International. It continues to work on producing products that will protect against plant disease and insect attack. Genencor is located in Cedar Rapids and one of the world's largest companies dedicated exclusively to industrial biotechnology that produces chemicals that are used in animal feed.
But despite all of these advances and despite all of the work across this country, the process of agricultural biotechnology has been slowed in recent months. An onslaught of unsubstantiated charges, well-organized opposition results in a troublesome process in exporting our crops here and across the world. This impacts directly U.S. agricultural, and most specifically impacts the individual farmer. So as I mentioned before, and I'll mention again throughout this speech, it is key and important that we do a better job of educating the ultimate consumer. We must increase consumer understanding and confidence in these biotech products. For example, we have to reinforce public confidence by outlining the rather rigorous process these products go through before they are approved for use. Few people know that these products are involved in testing and inspection in a number of governmental agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and even the Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition, the UN World Food and AG Organization and the World Health organization are involved in providing inspections and regulation of these food products. It's important for the public to know this. Researchers in Iowa and around the world have thoroughly researched and reviewed genetically engineered crops and have proven them safe for people, animals, and the environment. We have got to get this message out to the consumer.
As I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks, the consumers of today are empowered like never before. They are smart. They are looking for value. They have access to extraordinary amounts of information over the Internet. We need to demonstrate to these consumers that agricultural biotechnology not only offers but actually delivers exceptional value. We must address and educate these consumers not only at home on the benefits of agricultural technology, but also begin the process of reclaiming the export markets that have been lost during the recent wave of hysteria, particularly in Europe.
Because we have trouble exporting agricultural products overseas, we must first aggressively export rational science-based thinking to our global trading partners. We must challenge foreign, political, regulatory, and agricultural leaders with these scientific facts. We have to resist the so-called precautionary principle, which states that a country can take action to protect itself by barring the import of biotechnology produced products, even if there is a lack of scientific certainty that it would be dangerous. We must not be afraid to stand up to those who indulge in misinformation, fear tactics, and intimidation. We must continually challenge them with scientific facts.
All of which brings me back to the ultimate goal of doing a better job of educating the consumer. Consumers have been hearing from mostly one side of this equation, from the critics, but I believe the consumers are smart and savvy. I believe if we equip them with the facts, they'll make the right decision. When consumers, for example, understand the benefits of biotechnology in increasing productivity, in soil conservation, in improving pesticide and herbicide management, in helping to reduce the threat of world hunger, in providing greater opportunities for fighting disease and illness, agricultural biotechnology will be accepted. I have tremendous confidence in these consumers, and I believe the industry must have the same level of confidence. We must not be afraid to publicly tell the biotech story.
At the same time let me also take this opportunity to make a plea for the American farmer. American farmers, along with farmers all over the world, are obviously the backbone of our great agricultural economy. We need to work together to make certain that farmers are not put under any undo burden. Farmers are already facing low commodity prices, and we need to work together with farmers on this issue.
You need to understand that 39 percent of our corn crop and 44 percent of our bean crop is biotech. With a relatively small percentage of grain that is produced in the United States that is actually restricted from the global market, one would assume that this would not impact or affect in a real way the American farmer, but in fact, even a small percentage difference can make the difference between being on the farm or not being on the farm. I believe these issues will be resolved as we continue world trade discussions. But all of us in this industry and who support this industry must continue to keep pressure on congress and the administration to stand up for our farmers, for those who produce the safest most nutritious and most abundant food supplies in the world.
Now, paramount to success and consumer education and market development both here and abroad is to get thousands of scientists who support agriculture biotechnology out of their labs and into the public debate. Recently two Nobel prize winners, James Watson, a co-discoverer of the double helix structure of DNA, and an Iowan, Norman Borlaug, considered the father of the green revolution, signed a letter along with a thousand other noted scientists from around the world stating their support for agriculture biotechnology. The declaration was prepared by Professor Prakash of Tuskegee University. He stated that this technology, and I quote, can improve environmental conditions while helping to boost world food production. There is, he went on, no scientific reason to believe that genetically engineered foods are any less safe than the foods we've been eating for centuries, so we members of the scientific community feel it necessary to counter the unfounded attacks that anti-biotech advocates and activists are spreading about these products.
Ladies and gentlemen, when over a thousand scientists are willing to sign such a letter, this is powerful and persuasive. We need to get the scientific community engaged as a group and individual scientists engaged as individuals to step forward and help explain to the consumer in lay terms why these products, which have gone through rigorous research and development, are good for the environment and good for people.
Now, I'm proud of Iowa's leadership role in ag biotechnology. Iowa has world-class research universities, highly skilled technical workers, a rapidly growing life sciences industry cluster, and a proactive business environment.
Our agricultural biotechnology climate is poised for growth. For example, the Plant Sciences Institute, a research complex undergoing a 425 million dollar expansion at Iowa state University, will focus on research that will make plants more valuable in feeding the world's population, in producing better livestock, and providing biobased fuels and industrial feed stock. This, of course, will lead to new products, new jobs, new companies for Iowa and the world. The maize genome projects, funded by the National Science Foundation are an example of research that's being conducted at the Plant Sciences Institute. As part of this project the DNA sequence of corn will be studied to identify the position of thousands genes, some of which are expected to control traits such as stress tolerance, lodging resistance, and quality characteristics such as nutritional value. While the research conducted at the center provides a greater understanding of these traits and functions, American agriculture will be successful in meeting the world's demands if it can convince, by virtue of this research, that these products are safe. Complementing these advances in ag biotechnology, the world renowned Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing at the University of Iowa utilizes biocatalysis to develop value-added chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and nutriceuticals. And at our University of Northern Iowa, we have cutting edge research, which is focusing on the development of superior polymers and lubricants from ag biotechnology.
As we continue to look to the future and work closely with Iowa's base of innovative driven universities and companies, I've launched a statewide technology initiative led by Bob Tibor, a former Rockwell Collins executive, as Iowa's technology advisor. We've come a long way with ag biotechnology, but there is much more to do for farmers, biotech companies, food processors, and others in the food chain. To fulfill their enormous potential, we need to provide a more abundant and more nutritious food supply. We need to provide life-saving medicines and environmental friendly products. And to do that we have to rely on biotechnology. We have an enormous stake in this industry. We have to share our knowledge as widely as we possibly can to win consumer acceptance and to create the best possible environment for the advancement of biotechnology. We have to take the mystery out of this industry. Now, there have been reports of an upcoming advertising campaign that will reach out to consumers. And I applaud that. It is greatly needed.
You are here today because you believe in agricultural biotechnology. We must defend this technology by providing balanced information to consumers and to the media in language they will understand. We need to work together to promote an awareness and knowledge of these products. We need to work together to provide recognition of the benefits of this new technology to society. We need to instill confidence in government agencies and trust in the information that they provide as a result of the testing procedures they are involved in. We need to promote our faith in the FDA, the EPA, the USDA, and the more than 100 biotech regulatory approvals this new technology has received around the world. We need to promote our faith in researchers who are committed to protecting our environment and expanding consumer safety.
You are attending this conference and this symposium because you recognize the enormous positive impact biotechnology will have in this new millennium. I'm here because this is something we recognized in Iowa sometime ago. Now we must all educate consumers, empower those consumers with knowledge about the benefits and promise of agricultural biotechnology. Because until we win over consumers, we will not fully realize the benefit and the potential and the promise of this technology.
Let me close by suggesting to you that government does, in fact, have a significant role in this process, which is why I have joined Governor Schafer from North Dakota in establishing a biotech governors' partnership program in which we are asking the nation's governors to join us in beginning the process of sounding a note of confidence and belief in this technology. This is important work you all are involved in. It may be one of the greatest humanitarian efforts we've seen in quite some time. Consider just the population statistics. We just welcomed our 6th billionth human. Over 800 million people today are malnourished. Within the next decade or so we'll have our 7th billionth person. And as I said earlier, 95 percent of the new growth will occur in countries where agriculture is not as productive as it is here. If we're to meet this huge challenge of feeding the world, it is abundantly clear that we're going to have to rely on science to expand opportunity. If we're going to treat growing illness and disease, it's abundantly clear we're going to have to rely on science to provide us the weapons to do so and to create perhaps even a preventative healthcare system, one that's been long overdue.
This is an extraordinarily important time. And it is about change. And it is always difficult to impact and to affect and to encourage people to accept change. But those who know about the benefits of this technology must be very aggressive in explaining these benefits and overcoming the reluctance to change. And if we do, I think we will provide hope for families that are dealing with those who suffer serious illness and disease. If we do, I think we'll provide hope for family farmers who struggle to make ends meet. If we do, we'll provide hope for the leaders of nations who are now trying to figure out how to feed-their people.
Again, I appreciate very much the opportunity to be with you today. I want to thank the Iowa sponsors for the opportunity to be here. And I want to invite you to tomorrow evening's reception, which is sponsored by our state. And I hope you will enjoy the rest of the symposium and the conference. Thank you very much.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/bio2000.html 5dec04
Mike Johanns Governor of Nebraska Mike Johanns was sworn into office as Nebraska’s 38th Governor on January 7, 1999 and in November, 2002 became the first Republican to be re-elected Governor of Nebraska since 1956. As Governor, he has promoted an agenda of tax relief, less government, building the economy, protecting families, and ensuring the health, safety, and success of Nebraska’s children.
Mike Johanns was born in Iowa and raised on a dairy farm. He graduated from Osage (Iowa) Community High School, St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota, and earned his law degree from Creighton University in Omaha. He then clerked for the Honorable Hale McCown at the Nebraska Supreme Court.
Mike Johanns began practicing law at the firm of Cronin & Hannon in O’Neill, Nebraska, then moved to Lincoln where he joined the law firm of Nelson Johanns Morris Holdeman & Titus. He sought public office for the first time in 1982 and was elected to a four-year term on the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners. After deciding not to run for re-election to the County Board, Johanns was elected to the Lincoln City Council in 1989. Two years later he successfully challenged the incumbent mayor of Lincoln. In 1995, Johanns was re-elected mayor without opposition. As mayor he focused on public safety, domestic abuse, economic development, and holding the line on property taxes.
Governor Johanns has made property tax relief, reducing the size of government, building the state’s economy, protecting families, and ensuring the health, safety and success of Nebraska’s children his priorities. A list of his major enacted initiatives:
Governor Johanns has led seven delegations of Nebraska government, business, and agriculture leaders on trade missions to eight countries including Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, and Chile. He has also been a strong advocate for Nebraska agriculture producers during a period of depressed commodity prices and severe drought.
For 2002-2003, he chairs the National Governors’ Association Committee on Economic Development and Commerce, a post he also held in 2000-2001. In 2003, Governor Johanns serves as chairman of the Governor’s Biotechnology Partnership and continues to serve as the state government representative on the advisory committee to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He currently serves as co-lead Governor for the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) on drought issues.
Governor Johanns is a past chair of the Midwest Governors Conference (2002), former lead governor for agriculture including the 2002 re-authorization of the federal farm bill for the WGA, and past chair of the 25-state Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (2001).
Mike Johanns has two children and is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and former State Senator. Stephanie Johanns is currently Vice President of External Relations for Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, for ALLTEL, a communications company.
source: http://www.governorsbiotech.org/pdf/govjohanns.pdf 5dec04
Iowa's focus on the life sciences is lead by Governor Tom Vilsack who was honored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) for his support and founding of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership. The advancement of biotechnology is a central feature of Iowa's commitment to transforming the economy.
source: http://www.bio.org/events/2003/exhibit/pavilion.asp?id=44 5dec04
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