OSA Advocate of Optics Recognition

Every year, the OSA Public Policy Committee chooses to recognize an outstanding public official, either domestically or abroad, who demonstrates leadership and efforts in support of the advancement of the science of light.

Below is a list of recipients of the OSA Advocate of Optics recognition:

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2008 Advocates of Optics: Viviane Reding and Thierry Van der Pyl

OSA President Rod Alferness (right), presents the 2008 Advocate of Optics trophies to Commissioner Reding and Mr. Van der Pyl in Brussels, Belgium.

Viviane Reding, European commissioner for information society and media, and Thierry Van der Pyl, head of the Commission’s Photonics Unit, were recognized as OSA’s 2008 Advocates of Optics. Reding was selected as this year’s advocate for her extraordinary vision in supporting and establishing a Photonics Unit within the European Commission. Van der Pyl is being recognized for his leadership within the Photonics Unit.

The Photonics Unit was launched in January 2007 as a result of efforts by Photonics 21, a platform within the Commission designed to promote investment in photonics research and development in the European Union. The Photonics Unit defines its mission as making “Europe the best in photonics research and the best in translating those results into real innovation.” Their aim is to be a catalyzing stimulus in the formation of the needed critical mass of quality research at the European level as well as at the national level.

As commissioner, Reding has been a visible presence and supporter for technology funding in general and photonics funding, specifically. Under her leadership, the European Commission allocated more than 90 million Euros to funding basic photonics technologies from 2007-2008. Van der Pyl was chosen as the head of the Photonics Unit because of his extensive experience in the European Commission, including heading the units of High Performance Computing, Microelectronics, and Future and Emerging Technologies.

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2007 Advocate of Optics: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)

OSA President Joseph Eberly (left) presents Sen. Jeff Bingaman with the 2007 OSA Advocate of Optics trophy.

New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman was recognized as OSA’s 2007 Advocate of Optics. Sen. Bingaman was selected as this year’s advocate because of his extraordinary leadership in seeking to increase federal investments in the sciences, including the critical area of research and development. He is also being recognized for his work to advance energy efficiency through his continued support for energy-saving optical technologies like solid state lighting.

Sen. Bingaman was actively involved in OSA’s Senate Science and Technology (S&T) Caucus briefing last summer on solid state lighting innovations with optics. As chair of the S&T Caucus, Bingaman helped draw attention to the importance of optics and photonics by focusing on the energy benefits of solid state lighting.

To be recognized as an OSA Advocate of Optics, a public official must have a record consistent with his or her support of science, optics and photonics and be an enthusiastic advocate for science policy issues, with particular regard to the advancement of the science of light.

Sen. Bingaman was recognized during OSA’s Winter Leadership Conference.

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2006 Advocate of Optics: Sen. Christopher Bond (R-Mo.)

Eric Van Stryland, OSA president, presents Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond with the Advocate of Optics trophy.

Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond was recognized as one of two 2006 OSA Advocates of Optics for his efforts to highlight the role of optics and photonics technology in modern highway transportation systems.

To be recognized as an Advocate of Optics, a public official must demonstrate public policy leadership and efforts in support of the advancement of the science of light.

The decision to honor Sen. Bond stemmed from his work last year on a bill reauthorizing federal highway programs, the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” or SAFETEAU-LU. Sen. Bond was instrumental in including language in that bill to expand the definition of Intelligent Transportation Systems to include photonics.

Sen. Bond’s accomplishments were formally recognized during the organization's annual Leadership Conference.

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2006 Advocate of Optics: Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)

Elka Koehler, member, OSA Public Policy Committee, presents Rep. Bill Shuster with
the 2006 Advocate of Optics trophy.

Rep. Bill Shuster was recognized as one of two 2006 OSA Advocates of Optics for his efforts to highlight the role of optics and photonics technology in modern highway transportation systems.

To be recognized as an Advocate of Optics, a public official must demonstrate public policy leadership and efforts in support of the advancement of the science of light.

The decision to honor Rep. Shuster stemmed from his work last year on a bill reauthorizing federal highway programs, the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” or SAFETEAU-LU. Rep. Shuster was instrumental in including language in that bill to expand the definition of Intelligent Transportation Systems to include photonics.

Rep. Shuster’s accomplishments were formally recognized during the organization's annual Leadership Conference.