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Strong Support from the U.S Government
John Holdren, assistant to President Obama for Science and Technology. (Du Won Kang/The Epoch Times)
President Obama “wholeheartedly approves” and the “White House is pleased indeed to see the Science and Engineering Festival coming to Washington,” said John Holdren, assistant to President Obama for Science and Technology. Dr. Holdren also spoke at the press conference at the museum in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29.
Furthermore, according to a partner with a global law firm that is also a sponsor of the festival, over a hundred members of the U.S. Congress have become honorary hosts of the festival.
Indeed, on Sept. 28, on the eve of the festival’s preview and press conference, a Congressional resolution sponsored by Sen. Edward Kaufman (D-Del.) passed the Senate by unanimous consent: S. Res. 656, “A resolution expressing support for the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival.”
Some Background on How It Began
Dr. Eberle explained that momentum had begun in the U.S., where a general awareness in the population grew that science and engineering is part of our culture and that it should be celebrated. And this was expressed in science festivals that were spreading across the U.S.
At the press conference on Sept. 29, Larry Bock explained that without Charles Vest, the festival would have been just a science festival. “Chuck [Charles Vest] put the ‘and Engineering.’ And the key thing there was that the ‘and Engineers’ had all the money,” he said, which drew laughter and warm applause from the audience.
In explaining how the vision for the USA Science and Engineering Festival took shape, Bock shared an experience he had with Ray Johnson, CTO of Lockheed Martin, after doing one of those regional festivals in San Diego. Johnson suggested doing the festival on a national level. At first, Bock was reluctant, thinking that Washington really is not a “science city.”
“Well, he was right, Washington is a science city. He convinced me to do this, and I really thank him for giving us this opportunity,” Bock said.
Lockheed Martin is the founding host sponsor of the USA Science and Engineering Festival. Lockheed is also the largest private sector employer in the state of Maryland, according to Jim Dinegar, president & CEO at Greater Washington Board Trade, who was the host of the press conference on Sept. 29.
Dinegar said, “The person and the force behind it [the festival] is Larry Bock.”
The Epoch Times is a sponsor of the USA Science and Engineering Festival. Visit usasciencefestival.org for details.
