Successful Science and Technology Braintrust Draws Hundreds

Congresswoman Johnson gathers prominent leaders in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields to set positive examples for minority students.

Washington, DC — (Tuesday, September 21, 2010) Congresswoman Johnson’s recent 2010 Science and Technology Braintrust brought nine leaders in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields together to share their personal stories of triumphs and tribulations with approximately 300 students. This year’s theme was “Believing by Seeing” and focused on closing the achievement gap of minorities in STEM fields.

From left to right: President and Chief Executive Officer, TechNet, Mr. Ray Ramsey; President and Founder of Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc., Mr. Lonnie G. Johnson; Chairman & CEO of BET Television, Debra Lee; Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School – University of Maryland Baltimore County, Dr. Janet C. Rutledge; Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, TX-30; Co-Director of the Minority Institution Astrobiology Collaborative (MIAC), Dr. Benita Bell; NASA Astronaut/The Harris Foundation, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.; Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Plastic Surgery and Pediatrics – Dir. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery – The John Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Benjamin Carson.; Former Dir. NASA Glenn Research Center, Dr. Julian Earls; and NASA Astronaut Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Mr. Leland D. Melvin.

 
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.