Huntsville, Ala. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) is co-hosting the 2008 Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit this week at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center. The Summit brings together business, government, education and economic development leaders from the technology-rich Tennessee Valley Corridor to promote the region as one of the nation's premier science and technology centers. In addition, the Summit seeks to leverage the Valley's abundant research and technology assets and institutions for regional economic development and new job creation.

“We in North Alabama and the entire Tennessee Valley are working together on common issues and toward common goals,” Cramer said. “Here in North Alabama, we have many institutions, companies and capabilities that help us play our part in the success of the region. When we partner and find ways to collaborate with the other districts in the Valley, our opportunities greatly expand.”

Cramer is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on Thursday entitled “The Tennessee Valley Corridor: Advancing America’s Competitiveness.” Other panel participants include Dr. John Petersen, President of the University of Tennessee, and Dr. Dave Williams, President, University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Following a luncheon and keynote address from General George Casey, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Cramer will lead a session entitled “BRAC: New Commands. New Missions. New Opportunities.” Other speakers and panelists include Major General Chris T. Anzalone, Deputy for Test, Integration and Fielding, Missile Defense Agency; Major General James R. Myles, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.; Dr. Mark Swinson, Chief Scientist, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and Mr. Ron Lewis, Deputy G-3/5 for Enterprise Integration, U.S. Army Materiel Command.

Representative Cramer has played an active role in the previous Tennessee Valley Corridor Summits and hosted the Summit in Huntsville in 2000 and 2003.