THE PROFNET WIRE: GOVERNMENT & LAW – Bush’s Space Initiative Jan. 19, 2003

ROUND-UPS

Bush’s Space Initiative (18 experts)

Anthrax Preparedness (10 experts)

Rights of Illegal Immigrants (continued, 1 expert)

Elderly Driving (continued, 1 expert)

LEADS

1. Economy: Above-Trend Growth in the 2004 Quarters Looks Unlikely

2. Economy: Expect Higher Inflation Rates

3. Economy: Bullish Yen Prospects for 2004

4. Economy: Could German GDP Contract in Q1 2004?

5. Energy: Energy Efficiency is an Answer to America’s Woes

6. Labor Law: Wal-Mart Employment Law Violations

7. Politics: It May Be Time to Say Goodbye to Connecticut’s Governor

8. Politics: Paul O’Neill’s Assertions Boost Anti-War Candidate

ROUND-UP: BUSH’S SPACE INITIATIVE

Following are experts on the U.S. space program, planetary science and politics who can discuss Bush’s space initiative:

1. RICHARD HIRSH, professor of the history of technology at VIRGINIA TECH: “It will be difficult to recreate the sense of urgency for an ambitious space program, like the one that began in 1961 with President Kennedy’s proposal to send men to the moon. Today, there is no Soviet Union that had won the early rounds of a space race by launching the first satellite and the first man into space. The manned lunar program then was able to exploit fears of Soviet dominance during the Cold War, despite opposition by civil rights leaders and others who suggested we spend American resources to solve problems on the earth. Today, with huge budget deficits and no Cold War opponent, the urgency for space travel may not seem as real or politically valid.” Hirsh: Phone: +1-540-231-5601 News Contact: Susan Trulove Phone: +1-540-231-5646

2. ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, space historian and author of “Leaving Earth: Space Stations, Rival Superpowers, and the Quest for Interplanetary Travel”: “Bush’s proposal is bold, smart and amazingly timid. It’s bold in his willingness to go for both the moon and Mars. It’s smart because it recognizes that the only true reason you send humans to a space station is to learn how to build and fly interplanetary spaceships. It’s timid because it still depends on NASA and the government to build the next generation of space vehicles. The plan should have taken money from NASA’s manned program to use as a prize for the first U.S. company to build a Crew Exploration Vehicle.” News Contact: Alvaro Rojas Phone: +1-202-334-3207

3. MARK MCCONNELL, research professor for the Space Science Center at the UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: “There is still much to learn from the International Space Station, especially about long-term stays in space. And phasing out the Space Shuttle and the Space Station will not likely cover the full cost of the program. Bush’s plans call for a budget boost for NASA of $1 billion spread over five years. The agency’s 2004 budget is nearly $15.5 billion. Although the moon may provide a good test bed for technologies that could be used on Mars, the Space Station is a good test bed for technologies and other studies, such as physiological research, that would be important for the trip to and from Mars.” McConnell: Phone: +1-603-862-2047 News Contact: Sharon Keeler Phone: +1-603-862-1566

4. ROB FIGUEROA, program coordinator for environmental studies at COLGATE UNIVERSITY: “The costs are extravagant and it’s a kind of scientific exploration that, aside from human thrill, is not clear in what it will yield. He’s got us in Iraq. He’s got us in Afghanistan. I don’t see where he thinks we have the resources and the manpower to begin something like this. I protest the attitude toward Mars that it’s ours and everything there is ours. The idea of searching for life without any kind of respect to what that life is or whether we’re endangering it is interesting to me. It indicates the human arrogance that goes along with extreme spending at a time when we’re choked financially.” News Contact: Charlie Melichar Phone: +1-315-228-7417

5. ROY TORBERT, director of the Space Science Center at the UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: “Americans can be justifiably intrigued, inspired by and proud of their manned space program, but I am skeptical of the budgetary resources allocated for this ambitious program. If Apollo missions were to be done today, with the more cumbersome procedures that NASA now uses, estimates could range from $300 billion to $400 billion. Costs for the expansion outlined by Bush would exceed even that. The International Space Station should be used as a launch platform for moon colonization and deeper exploration into space. I hope the proposal gets careful review and proper support so that success is achieved.” Torbert: Phone: +1-603-862-1638 News Contact: Sharon Keeler Phone: +1-603-862-1566

6. TOM BALONEK, professor of physics and astronomy at COLGATE UNIVERSITY: “I’m excited about it and also a little concerned. Astronauts will almost certainly die during the United States’ costly plans to send astronauts to the moon, Mars and beyond. Bush pointed out space-related advances, such as CAT scans and the global positioning system, but mere technology is beside the point. If we use those to justify the exploration of space, we’re mistaken. The true value lies in the sense of exploring places we’re never been. My students have never seen live pictures of a man on the moon. There’s no way to explain to students what that felt like.” News Contact: Charlie Melichar Phone: +1-315-228-7417

7. DR. EDMOND WILSON, professor of physical science and Mars scientist at HARDING UNIVERSITY in Searcy, Ark.: “The exploration of space will come, and I want my country to play the pre-eminent role in the exploration. The funds requested from Congress are modest, but can accomplish [Bush's] goals. It is important to point out that NASA’s total budget is only about one percent of the federal budget. The rewards in better technology, knowledge of Earth’s behavior and improvement in education are part of the dividends that result from such an investment.” Wilson: Phone: +1-501 279-4513 News Contact: Laura Snyder Phone: +1-814-867-1963

8. RICK CHAPPELL, former associate director for science at NASA’s MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER in Huntsville, Ala., and director of VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY’s Dyer Observatory, can discuss the educational, technological and scientific importance to the United States of a return to the moon and a manned mission to Mars: “Returning to the moon and setting out for Mars offers a grand challenge that can influence our children to have careers in science and technology. It stretches us as a nation and will cause us to make unprecedented advances in technology. It is something a great nation like America is capable of doing, and it is something we ought to do.” Chappell: +1-615-322-6397 News Contact: Melanie Catania Phone: +1-615-322-2706

9. M. DOUGLAS LEVAN, Centennial professor and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering at VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, can explain how astronauts may be able to create oxygen on Mars for breathing and for fuel: “What we need to create breathable and burnable oxygen is present in the Martian atmosphere, which is 90 percent carbon dioxide.” LeVan can also discuss his research to reduce the energy requirements of air purification systems on long-term space missions and on the space station. LeVan: +1-615-322-6397 News Contact: Melanie Catania Phone: +1-615-322-2706

10. KEN DEBELAK, associate professor and director of information technology for chemical engineering at VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, can discuss how to recover minerals and water from the Martian surface: “You can’t take enough material with you to get back, so you have to manufacture the fuel you need to return. Our research focuses on what we might be capable of doing with resources found on Mars.” In addition to fuel, Debelak’s research seeks methods to recover water on Mars: “Water may be tied up in minerals on Mars as it is on Earth. We can use technologies we use here on Earth to unlock that water.” Debelak: +1-615-322-6397 News Contact: Melanie Catania Phone: +1-615-322-2706

11. PAUL CZYSZ (“Sizz”), Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering at SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY: “This isn’t just about making footprints on the moon, it’s about what we do when we get there. Building a base on the moon is critical for Mars exploration. The U.S. must partner with Russia and others, and that success is not just about money or technology.” Czysz worked for the McDonnell Douglas Corp. for 30 years and was involved with a number of spacecraft projects. He has been quoted extensively by national media about the space shuttle program and related issues. Czysz: Phone: +1-314-434-2188 News Contact: Clayton Berry Phone: +1-314-977-7117

12. ALAN PETERS, associate professor of electrical engineering at VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, can discuss the role of robots in space. Peters has been working with NASA on the “Robonaut” project, which is developing humanoid robots that would likely be a key part of a new moon mission or Mars trips. The robonauts can be left outside to make repairs and act as assistants on a variety of tasks, protecting the safety of the astronauts and allowing work to get done more rapidly: “Both astronauts and robonauts have essential roles to play in future space exploration. The ideal would be to develop human/robot teams.” Peters: +1-615-322-6397 News Contact: Melanie Catania Phone: +1-615-322-2706

13. GEORGE F. SPAGNA, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of physics at RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE, is a specialist in astrophysics, especially radiation transport in interstellar and circumstellar clouds. Spagna can speak on many subjects, ranging from Halley’s Comet to the Shoemaker-Levy bombardment of Jupiter to the “star of Bethlehem” phenomenon. He can also comment on science and society, science and religion, and astronomy and space science. Spagna has taught courses on the colonization of space, astronomy and astrophysics, historical and philosophical foundations of astronomy, advanced laboratory, and electricity and magnetism. Spagna: Phone: +1-804-752-7344 News Contact: Anne Hagerty Phone: +1-804-752-3712

14. PAUL J. THOMAS, associate professor of physics and astronomy at the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT EAU CLAIRE, has research interests that lie in the field of planetary science, where he uses computer models to study comet and asteroid collisions with the planets of the solar system. Thomas has published more than 30 articles in academic and popular journals exploring the effects of comet and asteroid collisions on planets. He also worked as a researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center and Cornell University’s Center for Radiophysics and Space Research. News Contact: Judy Berthiaume Phone: +1-715-836-4745

15. RON SCHRIMPF, professor of electrical engineering of VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, leads the Radiation Effects Research Group, the largest group of its type at any American university, and can discuss the electronics needs and challenges of surviving the high radiation environment of interplanetary space on the long mission to Mars. Schrimpf is also the director of the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics, which performs design, analysis, and modeling work for a variety of space and defense-oriented organizations. Schrimpf: +1-615-322-6397 News Contact: Melanie Catania Phone: +1-615-322-2706

16. WILLIAM D. KAY, associate professor of political science at NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, is a NASA historian and speaks to issues of the space program’s increasing privatization, with specifics around shuttle missions, including Columbia and Challenger, with particular emphasis on the economics of the space program’s increasing move toward privatization. He can also discuss the increasing budget cuts NASA has faced, the historical facts surrounding the Challenger and Columbia tragedies, and the economics surrounding Bush’s new proposed plans for Mars and the moon by offering particular insight on the timing and economic viability of the president’s recent announcements regarding the space program. News Contact: Christine Phelan Phone: +1-617-373-5455

17. STEPHEN PETRANEK, editor-in-chief of DISCOVER MAGAZINE, is an expert on scientific developments and has appeared most recently on “Nightline,” discussing artificial intelligence; on MSNBC discussing space technology; and on “Good Morning America” showcasing technology of the future. He recently addressed the prestigious TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference, providing insight into the greatest scientific threats confronting the world. News Contact: Danielle Rhoades Phone: +1-212-576-2700, ext. 242

18. DR. CHRISTOPHER CHYBA, Carl Sagan Chair for Study of Life in Universe at the SETI INSTITUTE, researches life in the solar system and teaches a Stanford University graduate seminar on the topic. Chyba also heads the lead team in NASA’s Astrobiology Institute and is associate profess of Stanford University’s department of geological and environmental sciences. Chyba: Phone: +1-650-960-4513 News Contact: Martha Shaughnessy Phone: +1-415-561-0888

ROUND-UP: ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS

Following are experts who can comment on any aspect of the threat bioterrorism continues to pose to the U.S.:

1. LOU KELLY, chairman of THE CENTER FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (CCAT): “Although homeland security solutions are required in a multitude of areas, a critical need exists for accelerated work on technologies that would address biological and chemical agent detection. We are much more at risk in this area than in any other. While security has been heightened at airports, far less is being done in the biological and chemical threat domain. The U.S. government must determine how to deploy low-cost detection devices.” News Contact: Brooke Parker Phone: +1-212-593-5893 Web site: http://www.ccatsandiego.org/

2. LEONARD COLE, adjunct professor at RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, bioterrorism expert and author of “The Anthrax Letters: A Medical Detective Story”: “Two years after the first fatal bioterror attack in the U.S., three major questions remain: 1) Who did it? Some evidence points to the Sept. 11 terrorists. 2) What about the lingering health effects for the survivors? Only one of six has returned to work. 3) Are we better prepared for a bioterror attack? Experts disagree. But no matter how prepared we are, the threat remains large. If an outbreak were recognized belatedly, or if a drug-resistant microorganism were unleashed, the result could be catastrophic.” News Contact: Alvaro Rojas Phone: +1-202-334-3207

3. JONATHAN BERNSTEIN, president of BERNSTEIN CRISIS MANAGEMENT LLC and editor of the Crisis Manager, an international e-mail newsletter: “Most organizations still do little or no crisis planning, and those that do usually fail to take the threat of bioterrorism seriously. There seems to be a mistaken belief that only major metro areas are truly vulnerable to bioterrorism, but Lantana, Fla., didn’t exactly fit that description,” Bernstein said, referring to the initial anthrax attacks that killed workers at American Media. “Additionally, even threats of bioterrorism can generate crisis conditions.” News Contact: Jonathan Bernstein Phone: +1-626-305-9277 \

4. LANCE K. GORDON, CEO of VAXGEN, INC.: “The health care system would be overwhelmed if faced with administering a treatment after an anthrax attack. A safe and effective vaccine, available in quantity to protect against anthrax, is the primary means of safeguarding the public. Through current contracts with the National Institutes of Health, VaxGen is developing a recombinant anthrax vaccine (rPA) that is being studied in animals and in humans, and has initiated the manufacture of 3 million doses for emergency use with the capacity to produce up to 100 million doses per year.” News Contact: Kesinee Angkustsiri Yip Phone: +1-650-624-2304

5. DR. MARSHALL MOORE, U.S. Navy physician and Bioweapon Attack First Responder specialist serving at the NAVAL WEAPON STATION in Charleston, S.C.: “Because of heightened awareness of terrorism since Sept. 11, American military forces at home and around the globe stand vigilant against the always-present possibility of a bioweapon attack.” Moore’s special training and experience with biological weapons adds authenticity to his survivalist drama, “Tantalus Zero,” a novel about a military cover-up of a bioweapon agent being researched in Antarctica. News Contact: Scott Lorenz Phone: +1-734-667-2090

6. DR. JAMES ROTH, Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Immunology and director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, says terrorists could use infectious animals to introduce diseases to humans: “Diseases that affect both animals and humans are among the most likely to be used as instruments of biological warfare.” Roth and Dr. Radford Davis train food animal veterinarians and producers and pet veterinarians and owners nationwide on zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, plague and tularemia. The center is a CDC Specialty Center in Public Health Preparedness for Veterinary Medicine and Zoonotic Diseases. Roth: Phone: +1-515-294-8459 News Contact: Teddi Barron Phone: +1-515-294-4778

7. FRANK HAMMES, indoor air quality and air cleaning expert at IQAIR NORTH AMERICA: “Everyday, radio and TV ads flood the airwaves trying to sell consumers air cleaners that claim to kill everything from mold to viruses. Since Sept. 11, these ads have even been updated to include anthrax. These ads are playing on people’s fears. The truth is that most of these machines will do very little against every day pollutants — and they will do nothing against bioterrorism threats. The fear of bioterrorism is giving birth to a new kind of fraud in the U.S., and millions of dollars in advertising are being spent to sell that fraud to the American people.” Hammes: +1-562-903-7600 News Contact: Kirk Sullivan Phone: +1-562-903-7600, ext. 110

8. DR. NANCY CONNELL, professor of medicine and director of the Center for BioDefense at the UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY OF NEW JERSEY, has done multiple interviews on bioterrorism agents since Sept. 11. The scientists at the Center for BioDefense are actively engaged in research involving anthrax with the goal of developing diagnostic markers that can identify quickly and accurately whether a person has been infected, and another test that can quickly confirm an infection if the agent of infection is known. News Contact: Susan Preston

9. VICTOR W. SIDEL, Distinguished University Professor of Social Medicine at MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER and ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, is the co-editor of the recently published book, “Terrorism and Public Health: A Balanced Approach to Strengthening Systems and Protecting People,” which calls for a common sense approach in coming up with solutions to terrorist threats and public health problems. News Contact: Amy Losak Phone: +1-646-935-3917

10. STEPHEN MORSE, Ph.D., associate professor of clinical epidemiology and director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’s Mailman School of Public Health, is an expert on bioterrorism, including anthrax preparedness, as well as overall public health preparedness. News Contact: Stephanie Berger Phone: +1-212-305-4372

ROUND-UP: RIGHTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (continued)

ProfNet has added the following to items posted previously at http://www.profnet.com/organik/orbital/thewire/lst_leads.jsp?iLRTopicID=773

1. FAHARI JEFFERS, founded the UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA, the first labor union to represent domestic workers, home attendants and in-home care workers exclusively. This California-based union is now part of the American Federation of Federal, State and Municipal Employees, with a membership of 62,000 statewide. Jeffers: Phone: +1-619-263-7254 News Contact: Debbie Walter Phone: +1-908-522-1677

ROUND-UP: ELDERLY DRIVING (continued)

We’ve added the following to items posted previously at http://www.profnet.com/organik/orbital/profleads/lawbriefs-012.jsp

1. MIKE CURRAN, co-founder of U.S. INTERACTIVE, the maker of Take Home Defensive Driving: “Regular safe driver education and testing should be mandatory, not used as punishment after an accident or infraction. The 86-year-old driver who killed 10 and injured 63 people by slamming his car into a crowded open market now faces felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence stemming from the July 16 crash. The charge renews national debate on the necessity of behind-the-wheel driver testing for the elderly.” News Contact: Victor K. Tsai Phone: +1-713-627-2223

LEADS

1. ECONOMY: ABOVE-TREND GROWTH IN THE 2004 QUARTERS LOOKS UNLIKELY. CHARLES DUMAS, director and head of international service at LOMBARD STREET RESEARCH, a London-based provider of economic research: “Real personal incomes are slower than the 3 percent trend GDP growth rate. Post-bubble adjustment has a way to go. The business profit rebuild could last years more, though impressive to date. Devaluation is just beginning to generate export growth. Grossly inadequate personal savings are getting worse. Above-trend growth in the 2004 quarters looks unlikely.” News Contact: Steven Blinn Phone: +1-212-675-4777

2. ECONOMY: EXPECT HIGHER INFLATION RATES. PATRICK BARKEY, director of BALL STATE UNIVERSITY’s economic and policy studies department: “After years of low levels, there are indications that inflation rates could increase in the coming months. Because the economy should run hot in 2004, there will most likely be bottlenecks in transportation, shortages in labor markets and price increases in commodities like wood, paper and oil. Another contributing factor is the fall of the U.S. dollar, which may increase prices of imported goods and put more pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.” Barkey: +1-765-285-5926 News Contact: Layne Cameron Phone: +1-765-285-5953

3. ECONOMY: BULLISH YEN PROSPECTS FOR 2004. DIANA CHOYLEVA, China, Russia and Emerging Markets economist for LOMBARD STREET RESEARCH, a London-based provider of economic research: “Despite official intervention attempts, the yen is set to rise further. The yen has risen 10 percent against the dollar so far in 2003, while the effective exchange rate has gone up by 6 percent. Yen developments may have been the by-product of dollar weakness. But continued positive net exports, reinforced by likely capital inflows, should also push up the yen next year. However, analysis, based on fundamentals is not favorable to the yen in the medium term.” News Contact: Steven Blinn Phone: +1-212-675-4777

4. ECONOMY: COULD GERMAN GDP CONTRACT IN Q1 2004? GABRIEL STEIN, chief international economist for LOMBARD STREET RESEARCH, a London-based provider of economic research: “Initial numbers show Q4 2003 growth was due to a halt to destocking, which is unlikely to last. The initial estimate for all-year German growth in 2003 is a fall of 0.1 percent. It is always risky to try to back out Q4 numbers from the full-year data. But based on that exercise, Q4 growth was 0.2 percent, containing a large negative contribution from net exports and a large positive one from restocking. That implies that GDP could shrink again in Q1 2004.” News Contact: Steven Blinn Phone: +1-212-675-4777

5. ENERGY: ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS AN ANSWER TO AMERICA’S WOES. SUSAN COAKLEY, executive director of the NORTHEAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY PARTNERSHIPS, INC.: “Record low temperatures in the Northeast is highlighting how energy inefficient many homes and businesses are. An overtaxed system led to the biggest blackout in the region last August; this could happen again if we ignore energy efficiency, which is one the cheapest, easiest and quickest ways to yield short- and long-term benefits. Recent political activities on the national level have highlighted the importance of addressing our outdated energy system, but until a consensus is reached, energy efficiency is key.” Coakley has more than 25 years experience in the field of energy policy and program development in the Northeast. News Contact: Solange Han Phone: +1-781-860-9177, ext. 24

6. LABOR LAW: WAL-MART EMPLOYMENT LAW VIOLATIONS. CHARLES CRAVER, professor of law at GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: “It is surprising that such a large and financially successful firm would expose itself to claims it has worked employees off the clock both to avoid the payment of earned overtime and, in some cases, to avoid paying even basic wages. Claims have also been raised in California suggesting that Wal-Mart is encouraging or requiring employees to work through their paid breaks. While Wal-Mart officials reject claims that firm policies tolerate employment law violations, the company should do more to monitor local stores to avoid the negative publicity associated with employment law violations.” Craver: +1-202-994-8718 News Contact: Paul Fucito Phone: +1-202-994-0616

7. POLITICS: IT MAY BE TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO CONNECTICUT’S GOVERNOR. RON DRESNER, president of YOUR PR DEPARTMENT, a Farmington, Conn.-based public relations and government relations firm: “The media in Connecticut has definitely had Governor John Rowland in its site for many months now. And in this case, we have to thank the media, not blame them, for its oversight role in reporting the news. The ethics and oversight safeguards to prevent a governor from committing accused abuses of power were not in place. The media’s role in scrutinizing the governor’s actions helped to focus the public’s attention and will possibly lead to a change of leadership in the state.” Dresner: Phone: +1-860-676-7777

8. POLITICS: PAUL O’NEILL’S ASSERTIONS BOOST ANTI-WAR CANDIDATE. JOHN M. ORMAN, Ph.D., professor of politics at FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY: “The revelation in Ron Suskind’s new book, `The Price of Loyalty,’ that President Bush was planning to remove Saddam Hussein from power and was even developing plans for Iraqi oil fields seven months before Sept. 11 strengthens the positions of Democratic presidential candidates who opposed the war. Former Governor Howard Dean and General Wesley Clark have both argued that the United States should have committed its resources to hunting down Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden instead of invading Iraq. If the account by former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill is true, it indicates President Bush had other motives to invade Iraq.” Orman: Phone: +1-203-254-4000, ext. 2864 News Contact: Nancy Habetz Phone: +1-203-254-4000, ext. 2647

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PRNewswire — Jan. 19

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