U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
For his work supporting the life science industry, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) has been named Legislator of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Brady represents the 8th Congressional District of Texas, which includes all of Orange, Hardin, Newton, Jasper, Montgomery, Walker, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler counties as well as portions of Trinity and Liberty counties.
"Rep. Brady's leadership in sponsoring the American Life Sciences Competitiveness Act of 2007 will prove a great boon to the biotech sector," said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood in an April 15 press release. "As a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, the congressman has consistently supported America's innovative life science industry through his leadership on tax, trade, and health care issues."
Thomas Kowalski, president of the Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute, said Texas is rapidly expanding its biotechnology sector and the life sciences industry provides nearly 80,000 jobs in the state.
"Rep. Brady has demonstrated his commitment to fostering the scientific discovery process by easing the burden on small research-oriented firms, allowing them to invest in their life-saving products," Kowalski said in the statement.
Brady was presented with the award on April 16 at a breakfast reception held at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C. The event was part of BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, during which more than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 36 states participated in meetings with key members of the House and Senate.
The participants discussed issues critical to the biotechnology industry, including follow-on biologics, FDA appropriations, biofuels, and patent reform.
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.