BIO Names Kansan “State Legislator of the Year”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2005) -- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has named Kansas State Representative Kenny A. Wilk (R) State Legislator of the Year. Each year BIO solicits nominations from its more than 1,100 member companies to identify public officials at the state and federal levels of government who consistently support and defend issues of importance to the bioscience community. 

                   “Representative Kenny Wilk has distinguished himself as a champion of bioscience industry development in Kansas,” said Patrick Kelly, Vice President of State Government Relations at BIO.  “His leadership was instrumental in helping to secure the passage of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004.  Representative Wilk truly understands the unique needs of technology based industries and is committed to helping Kansas compete on a national level.”

                   Representative Wilk was nominated to receive the national award by the newly formed Kansas Biosciences Organization (KansasBio), the official Kansas affiliate of BIO.  “Representative Wilk’s compelling vision for the biosciences in Kansas brought all parties – policy makers, government officials, academics, industry leaders and activists – to the table,” said Dr. Daniel Richardson, Chairman of the KansasBio Board of Directors. “He continues to foster a healthy and productive debate about the opportunities to expand Kansas’ strengths in the Biosciences.”