Page 24 - i1052-5173-30-10 + Annual Report

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY
Bridging the Geosciences and Public Policy

GSA MEMBERS MEET WITH GSA LETTERS AND TESTIMONY
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS GSA Director for Geoscience Policy
GSA provides opportunities for its mem- Kasey White testified before the House
bers to meet with policymakers by holding Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,
Congressional Visits Days and associated Environment and Related Agencies in sup-
training sessions. Participants begin with port of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
an orientation workshop that covers rel- GSA also submitted testimony requesting
evant legislation, the structure of Congress, increased funding for the National Science
and strategies to build relationships Foundation and the National Aeronautics and
between scientists and policymakers Space Administration for Fiscal Year 2021. Ryan Haupt, Science Policy Fellow, with Sen. Jim
Risch (R-ID) and Dr. Zachery Lifton.
before conducting congressional visits. GSA is an active member of coalitions
During Geosciences Congressional that submitted testimony and letters in GSA SCIENCE POLICY FELLOW
Visits Day on 10–11 September 2019, support of these and other geoscience agen- GSA Science Policy Fellow Ryan Haupt
50 geoscientists from multiple scientific cies, including the Coalition for National began a one-year term as the “in-house”
societies conducted visits to nearly 100 Science Funding, the Coalition for fellow in September 2019, working in
congressional offices. All GSA Divisions Aerospace and Science, the USGS GSA’s Washington, D.C., office to bring
sponsored students to attend, joining GSA Coalition, the Energy Sciences Coalition, science and scientists into the policy pro-
leadership and scientists selected through and the Task Force on American Innovation, cess. Haupt worked with GSA’s Geology
GSA’s online application process. Harriet during both the regular appropriations and Public Policy Committee, represented
S. Cornachione, a student sponsored by process and response to COVID-19. GSA at coalition meetings, attended hear-
GSA’s Rocky Mountain Section, reflected, GSA submitted letters to policymakers on ings on relevant geoscience legislation and
“What a great opportunity to quickly grasp topics ranging from open access of scientific programs, and developed resources for
the magnitude of the job of a congressional publications, to climate change research GSA members to engage in policy.
member and how Congress works! I so needs, to visa and immigration policy.
very much appreciate this opportunity. GSA-USGS CONGRESSIONAL
I will definitely be following up from this USGS COALITION LEADERSHIP SCIENCE FELLOW
visit with further communication with the AWARDS Each year, GSA and
staffers we met, as well as staying apprised The 2019 USGS Coalition Leadership the USGS jointly spon-
of the work in the offices of these members Awards were presented on 10 September sor a geoscientist to
from our region.” 2019 to Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) spend a year working
for his support of the National Landslide in the office of a mem-
Preparedness Act and Rep. Scott Tipton ber of Congress or con-
(R-CO-03) for his support of the Chronic gressional committee.
Wasting Disease Transmission Act, in Mike O’Connor served
addition to their overall support of the sur- as the 2019–2020 GSA-USGS Congressional
vey and its missions. Senior USGS leaders, Science Fellow, working in the office of Rep.
as well as representatives of national orga- Paul Tonko (D-NY). O’Connor is a hydrolo-
nizations that use and support USGS sci- gist with an extensive background in water
ence and information, attended the recep- resources and cold regions.
tion and discussed the benefits that USGS
activities provide to the nation. STATE AND LOCAL POLICY
ENGAGEMENT
UPDATED POSITION STATEMENT Kasey White attended the National
GSA Council adopted minor revisions to Conference of State Legislators Legislative
the “Climate Change” position statement. Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, USA,
in August 2019. GSA partnered with the
“GSA membership keeps me Association of American State Geologists,
apprised of recent and updated the Association of Environmental and
events in all geosciences, Engineering Geologists, and the American
and serves as a voice for our Institute of Professional Geologists to
profession to political and share geoscience information with local
community audiences.” policymakers.

Kasey White presenting the USGS Coali-
tion award to Rep. Tipton.

24 FY2020 GSA Annual Report