KansasBio and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) hosted a celebration of the Statewide Bioscience Initiative Monday, July 11 at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence. The purpose of the event was to thank everyone who lent critical support to the Bioscience Initiative, encourage Kansans to continue to work together in the future and present Kansas Representative Kenny Wilk, Lansing, Kan., with BIO’s “Legislator of Year Award.”
Lieutenant Governor John Moore addressed the crowd regarding the status of the Statewide Bioscience Initiative – created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act. He recognized the many groups and individuals that created this award-winning legislation, including Representative Kenny Wilk, Senator Nick Jordan, KTEC, and the Department of Commerce.
The highlight of the event was BIO’s presentation of its “Legislator of the Year” Award to Representative Kenny Wilk. BIO representative Patrick Kelly made the trip from Washington DC to present the award to Representative Wilk for his work in gaining passage of the Kansas Economic Growth Act (KEGA). Wilk is the only state legislator in the nation to receive the 2004 award from BIO in the “state legislator” category.
The event was attended by leaders in the business and scientific communities from across the state, including KansasBio members and the Kansas Bioscience Authority, which will guide the state in the use of funds generated by KEGA.
“As Representative Wilk is the only state legislator in the nation to win this award in 2004, it is high praise for both his hard work, as well as the Kansas Economic Growth Act,” KansasBio Chair, Dan Richardson, said. “I want to thank BIO for recognizing Representative Wilk, as well as our entire statewide effort, as being worthy of this national praise. This recognition gives us great confidence and sends a strong message that our statewide pursuit of a growing, vibrant bioscience industry is on sound footing.”
KansasBio & BIO hosted the event, and sponsors included the Kansas Department of Commerce, The Kansas Chamber, Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, Kansas Farm Bureau and The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. |
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Dr. Dan Richardson, KansasBio and Patrick Kelly, BIO, present Rep. Kenny Wilk with the “Legislator of the Year Award."
BIO Representative Patrick Kelly made the trip from Washington DC to present the award to Representative Wilk for his work in gaining passage of the Kansas Economic Growth Act (KEGA).
Leaders in the business and scientific communities from across the state, including KansasBio members and the Kansas Bioscience Authority, attended the event.
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