WASHINGTON, April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When upstate New York Republican Congressman Sherwood "Sherry" Boehlert retired last year, the U.S. Congress lost its most passionate "cheerleader for science."

In his 24 years in the House of Representatives, including the last six as chair of the House Science Committee, Boehlert engaged in numerous science policy debates and groundbreaking programs, including the establishment of America's National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2000. He helped forge bipartisan support for the first U.S. government funds -- $422 million -- dedicated to nanoscale science and engineering research. And in his last year in Congress, Boehlert chaired several hearings on nanotechnology safety, particularly on the need to create and fund a prioritized federal nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research plan.

What was it like to be present at the creation of the NNI? What are the promises and potential pitfalls of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing, which many predict will enable "The Next Industrial Revolution"?

Robert Service, nanotechnology reporter at Science magazine, will interview former Congressman Boehlert about the beginnings of the NNI and about the future of this transformative technology at a Monday, April 16th, 2007, 12:30 p.m. event and live webcast at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The event is organized by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, a joint initiative of the Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Project Director David Rejeski will introduce the program, which will take place in the 6th Floor Moynihan Board Room of the Wilson Center (http://www.wilsoncenter.org/directions).

*** Webcast LIVE at http://www.wilsoncenter.org/nano *** What: Nanotechnology's Past, Present & Future: A Congressional Perspective Who: Sherwood Boehlert, Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and former Chair, House Science Committee Robert F. Service, Correspondent, Science, Interviewer David Rejeski, Director, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Moderator When: Monday, April 16th, 2007, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (Lunch available at noon) Where: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 6th Floor Moynihan Board Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies was launched in 2005 by the Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts. It is dedicated to helping

business, governments, and the public anticipate and manage the possible health and environmental implications of nanotechnology.

Media planning to cover the event should contact Sharon McCarter at (202) 691-4016 or sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org.

Sharon McCarter, Director of Outreach and Communications Phone: (202) 691-4016 E-Mail: sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org

CONTACT: Sharon McCarter, Director of Outreach and Communications of the
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, +1-202-691-4016, E-Mail:
sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org

Web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/