FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 10, 1995

CONTACT:
Dick Kopper
Rep. Zach Wamp's Office
(202)225-3271

Congressional Leaders Plan Oak Ridge Summit To Chart America's Competitive Future

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- From national security to economic security, East Tennessee continues to help America chart a competitive future.At the invitation of Congressman Zach Wamp, congressional, business and scientific leaders from across the nation will meet in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on June 1 and 2 to chart a plan to improve America's competitive position in the global marketplace.

Leaders will convene "An Oak Ridge Summit" on technology, science and the environment focusing on the East Tennessee region's ability to solve problems and to create jobs for the 21st Century as a model for the nation.

"East Tennessee has long been known as a national leader for science, technology and environmental innovations," said Wamp, U.S. representative for the third district. "The summit will help define how East Tennessee can utilize the resources used to win the Cold War to help America become more competitive in creating jobs and new economic opportunities."

Participants in the summit will include members of the Tennessee congressional delegation including Sons. Bill Frist and Fred Thompson, national congressional leaders, city and county officials from throughout East Tennessee, former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, Gov. Don Sundquist, Nobel prize winner Dr. Clifford Shull, and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary.

"This summit will help our congressional leadership focus on the fundamental resources in East Tennessee that are critical in growing jobs and opportunities in Tennessee and throughout the nation," said U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson.

Sessions during the summit will include:

• Technology: East Tennessee is successfully implementing innovative technology partnerships for economic\ growth in manufacturing, commercialization and information technology. The session, lead by Howard Baker, will concentrate on how these partnerships can further enhance America's competitive future through reduced regulations, streamlined technology commercialization and through the continued preservation, modernization and dual use of key defense capabilities.
• Science: A congressional field hearing of the Sub-Committee on Basic Research of the U.S. House Science Committee, chaired by Congressman Steve Schiff will explore the nation's "Long-Term Science Strategy: A 30-Year Approach." Testimony from Nobel prize winner Dr. Clifford Shull and the directors of the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will highlight the science session.
• Environment: What are the obstacles hampering private sector solutions to America's environmental problems? Congressman John Myers, chairman of the Energy and Environment House Sub-Committee, will chair the session that will explore how East Tennessee's leadership in recycling hazardous and nuclear waste into reusable products provides a national model for private sector solutions to environmental issues.
• Local Government: A special session, co-chaired by Mayor Ed Nephew of Oak Ridge, Mayor Gene Roberts of Chattanooga, Scott County Executive Clarence Lowe, Anderson County Executive David Boling, Roane County Executive Ken Yager and Hamilton County Executive Claude Ramsey offers local government officials an opportunity to discuss pressing problems facing local governments and how the capabilities in East Tennessee can be harnessed to produce feasible practical solutions.

The summit will be held at various sites throughout Oak Ridge and will include demonstrations, exhibits and tours of critical capabilities in science, technology and the environment.

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