MITDV Events

Science and technology are critical components of several topics of current national interest. In particular, public policy addressing energy independence/security and environmental concerns (such as hurricanes and climate change, etc.) requires the knowledge of the scientists and engineers who study the technical underpinnings of these challenges. MIT President Susan Hockfield and American Chemical Society Past-President Katie Hunt have both emphasized the importance of advocacy by members of the scientific community to influence the construction of sound public policy. (Important note: This meeting is to inform our members about the state of science legislation; as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization this Club does not engage in any advocacy or lobbying activities).

Senator Carper was born in West Virginia and raised in Virginia. He attended The Ohio State University on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship, graduating in 1968 with a B.A. in economics. After serving as a naval flight officer in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and later as a P-3 aircraft mission commander, Tom Carper returned to Delaware in 1973 where he earned his M.B.A. at the University of Delaware.

On January 3, 2001, Thomas Carper became the junior Senator for the State of Delaware. He was re-elected to the United States Senate on November 7, 2006, making him the winningest politician in Delaware’s history, having been elected to state-wide public office a record 12 times. Senator Carper previously served five terms as a United States Congressman (1983 – 1992) and was a two-term Governor of Delaware (1993 – 2000), during which he served as the Chairman of the National Governors’ Association (NGA) and was a member of Amtrak’s board of directors.

Senator Carper’s ability to work across party lines has earned him a reputation for consensus-building that is unique in today’s political climate. David Broder of The Washington Post calls Senator Carper “a notably effect and non-partisan leader, admired and trusted on both sides of the aisle.”

For the 110th Congress, beginning in January of 2007, Senator Carper gained a seat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He retained his assignments and seniority on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Environment & Public Works Committee, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, as well as the Special Committee on Aging.