D.C. Update: Congressional champions promote FIU

Posted by × 03/28/2014 at 9:06 am

As the appropriations process in Congress moved forward, FIU submitted its 2014 federal agenda to the South Florida delegation, and three of FIU’s Congressional champions made efforts to promote the university’s research strengths in public forums on the Hill.

2014 Federal Priorities

FIU advocates have been busy protecting critical financial aid resources; advocating for critical health and environmental priorities; and celebrating FIU’s global reach in the nation’s capital. This year, FIU’s federal priorities include:

  • increasing the maximum Pell Grant awards
  • advancing biomedical engineering initiatives, specifically neuroprosthetics
  • greater partnerships on extreme event and disaster research
  • STEM education
  • greater emphasis on accelerated bridge construction

For a full list of the university’s federal priorities, visit FIU’s Office of Governmental Relations website.

Congressional champions promote FIU

At the House MBD PIC sizedCommerce, Science, and Justice Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart questioned National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Cora Marrett about the NSF’s lack of programs for four-year, minority-serving institutions. Congressman Diaz-Balart mentioned FIU’s role in producing the largest amount of minority STEM graduates in the country. Watch here at the 1:55:00 mark.

While Congressman Diaz-Balart tackled STEM issues in the House, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson saluted the work of FIU’s Education Effect to Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez at a House Department of Education and the Workforce Committee hearing. The Congresswoman lauded FIU’s collaborative efforts in K-12 education and workforce training in her district. Watch here at the 1:53:00 mark.

FIU alumna Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen ’75, MS ’87 congratulated the College of Engineering & Computing from the floor of the House of Representatives March 25. The College is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce joins FIU in D.C.

sizedGarcia picThe Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce met with the Florida congressional delegation, including Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Bill Nelson, and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, as well as representatives from the Department of State, Commerce and Homeland Security. They also received a personalized tour of the Capitol by Congressman Joe Garcia.

Excelencia in Education celebrates in Miami

FIU hosted national partners Excelencia in Education  for their 10th anniversary. The organization’s new agenda for the next decade of leadership and engagement was celebrated.

– Juliet Haydar

For more information and pictures from this week’s happenings:

Twitter:  @fiudc

Facebook:  FIU Governmental Relations

Government.fiu.edu

federal@fiu.edu

202-624-1404

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