Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus have announced Senator John Thune (R-SD) as the newest Co-Chair of the prominent bipartisan and bicameral Member organization, focused on educating Congress about the promise and potential of the Internet. Senator Thune will discuss his technology-focused vision during the opening keynote speech at the inaugural State of the Mobile Net Conference on April 23, in Washington, D.C.

As a Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Thune has shown leadership on Capitol Hill by promoting the growth and continued innovation of broadband technologies and the Internet. Thune has continued to promote a regulatory framework that protects the openness and sustained advancement of the Internet. Senator Thune has sponsored legislation to promote the critical advancement of health information technology, better e-government, deployment of rural broadband and protection of youth online.

Thune ascends as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus — joining Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA), and Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) — on the eve of its 13-year anniversary.

“Senator Thune has a great track record of encouraging innovation in technology, while balancing privacy protections and concerns,” said Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee chairman Jerry Berman.  “As the newest Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus the senator will bring to bear his expertise and business acumen on key policy issues that are currently challenging Congress.”

Thune will join a distinguished list of technology experts and prominent speakers at the State of the Mobile Net Conference.  The senator’s conference keynote will follow an introduction by Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Co-Chairman, Congressional Internet Caucus.

#  #  #

Event Information:
When: Thursday, April 23 – keynote begins after lunch
Where: Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue NW
RSVP: Please visit www.netcaucus.org/conference/2009/sotmn/ Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the media.
For more information Contact: Stephanie Tackach, 908.230.8091

Leading Tech Policy Conference Sponsored by Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee Will Feature Obama Tech Official

What: State of the Net Conference
When:     8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Where: Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

You can register for this widely-attended conference and view the agenda at http://www.netcaucus.org/conference/2009/.  Attendance is complimentary for media and the conference also includes equally important panels on every key technology issue before the 111th Congress.

Background:
The State of the Net Conference is the largest information technology policy conference in the United States, attracting more than 500 attendees in 2008. As a leader in technology policy, this year the conference will address policy issues that will challenge the new Administration and the new Congress.  The 2009 State of the Net Conference will follow the 12th Annual Kickoff Reception & Technology Exhibition on the evening of January 13 from 5 to 7 pm in a Senate Office Building.

About the Congressional Internet Caucus:

Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee is a diverse group of public interest, non-profit and industry groups working to educate the Congress and the public about important Internet-related policy issues. The group seeks to promote the growth and advancement of the Internet, provide a bicameral, bipartisan forum for Internet concerns to be raised, while promoting the education of internet-related issues. More information can be found at http://www.netcaucus.org .

Media Advisory: January 9, 2009 Contact: Stephanie Tackach, 202.701.7510, stephanie.tackach@463.com