US Congress Launches Optics and Photonics Caucus

The Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus will hold a virtual launch event Feb. 24 at noon EST, rescheduled from its initial launch date in 2020.

Co-chairing and speaking at the event will be U.S. Reps. Joe Morelle of N.Y. and Brian Mast of Fla., and U.S. Sens. Steve Daines of Mont. and Kyrsten Sinema of Ariz., who serve as co-chairs in the Senate. Also in attendance will be National Photonics Initiative Chairman Ed White, who will moderate a discussion with the co-chairs about the science and technology of optics and photonics.

The caucus is intended to educate members of Congress and their staffs about the importance of light-based research and technologies to the U.S. economy, national security, and scientific development, and to advocate for federal investment in those efforts and fields.

The event is open to the public. Interested parties may register for the event at www.ushr.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_vK705MODSDykvP1qC0SD9A.

Supporting organizations for the U.S. Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus include New York Photonics; Colorado Photonics Industry Association; Montana Photonics Industry Alliance; New Mexico Optics Industry Association; Mi-Light Cluster (Michigan Optics & Photonics Industry Association); Optics Valley Arizona; Florida Photonics Cluster; SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics; The Optical Society (OSA); and National Photonics Initiative (NPI).