We saw a unique opportunity to influence the worker bees of the legislative and policy-making processes, the legislative aides and other non-elective or appointed individuals who make things happen. In addition, we sought to attract key members of the Capitol press corps. In their respective abilities to shape the substance and tenor of debate, both of these audiences hold strategic importance for the nation's future.
Most important, this event solidified the non-partisan nature of Bionomics. With speakers from both sides of the aisle (including Congressman Bill Archer and CA Democratic Leadership Council Secretary Morley Winograd ) and the co-sponsorship by The Progressive Policy Institute and The Progress & Freedom Foundation, we were able to transcend traditional labels. And traditional thinking.
As you can see from the article below, our first venture Inside the Beltway was well received.
"Both Republicans and Democrats are now claiming the language of bionomics as their own...Newt Gingrich included it on his reading list. And when the Bionomics Institute of San Francisco held a forum in Washington on May 18th, both the Progressive Policy Institute (the New Democrats' think-tank) and the Progress & Freedom Foundation (Mr. Gingrich's) turned out to sponsor it."
Economist, Down in the jungle, something stirs--an article about the Washington Conference, May 27th-June 2nd, 1995: