ACS NEWS
ACS Has New Congressional Fellow The American Chemical Society's newest Congressional fellow is Mark Kevin Dickson. He will be working in the office of Rep. Ed Zschau (R.-Calif.) and also part time for the House Republican High Technology Task Force, which Zschau chairs. Dickson comes to the fellowship program from Shell Development Co., which he joined in 1981 as a research chemist. His work there involved basic research in synthesis gas chemistry, higher olefins, and enhanced oil recovery. Dickson also served as chairman of the chemical research and application department safety committee, and helped coordinate a new program for the control of hazardous and toxic chemicals. Dickson received his B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Southern Colorado and his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Washington State University. His graduate research in homogeneous catalysis and synthesis of novel platinum complexes was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and the ACS Petroleum Research Fund. He is pursuing a law degree at the University of Houston evening school from which he has taken a leave of absence. One of Dickson's immediate predecessors, 1983-84 fellow Don Kaufman, also worked on the House side of Capitol Hill in the office of Rep. Phil Sharp (D.-Ind.). As a member of Sharp's personal staff, Kaufman was responsible for a number of issue areas: education, transportation, clean water, pesticides (inc l u d i n g agent orange), product liability, and a portion of toxic wastes. His responsibilities included writing memos or briefs to provide background information and voting advice on bills up for floor action, a t t e n d i n g h e a r i n g s and meetings, meeting with lobbyists, and answering mail from constituents. One of his more enjoyable tasks,
Dickson: chemist and law student according to Kaufman, was doing the necessary background research for heroin/pain relief legislation that the Congressman intended to introduce. As it turned out, another Congressman who had introduced similar legislation in the past reintroduced his bill, with Sharp acting as an original cosponsor. Kaufman also worked with the staff of the Synthetic & Fossil Fuels Subcommittee, which Sharp chairs. Here he assisted with the revision of the rough draft of an extensive report on the use of methanol as a transportation fuel and wrote the safety section of the report. He believes that he had some impact— both in the report and in the subsequent legislation that was drafted, introduced, and passed, in part, by the House—on emphasizing the production of methanol from coal and upon placing greater concern on the human health effects of methanol exposure. In addition, he was active in organizing two hearings and an informational seminar related to the methanol legislation. Kaufman has rejoined the chemistry faculty of Kearney State College.
The other 1983-84 ACS fellow, Deborah A. Amaral, worked on the opposite end of the Hill in the office of Sen. Max Baucus (D.-Mont). She joined his staff primarily because he was interested in developing a Western position on acid rain. Amaral's doctoral thesis was on the health benefits associated with reducing sulfur emissions from power plants. As a result, one of her major projects was to conduct a survey among governors, state legislators, state pollution agency officials, university professors, electric utility officials, and a host of others for their opinion on whether acid rain is a problem and what ought to be done about it, and subsequently to analyze the responses. Amaral's other major project for Baucus was analyzing his environmental record over the past 10 years, which she found a fascinating educational experience on Congressional processes. Her other duties as a staff member included covering hearings, writing speeches, and meeting with lobbyists and constituents. Amaral analyzed legislative proposals, summarizing bills and determining their potential effect on Montana and the country. And she had the opportunity to help write bills and amendments. One of her efforts survived and was incorporated as a technical amendment to the wood smoke study section of the Clean Air Act revisions. Amaral is presently with Decision Focus Inc., a California consulting firm. ACS is accepting applications for two Congressional fellowships that will begin next year. Persons interested in applying should write for information to Mary Wolfe, Department of Public Affairs, American Chemical Society, 1155—16th St. N.W., W a s h i n g t o n , D.C. 20036. Deadline for applications is Jan. 31, 1985. Janice Long, Washington November 12, 1984 C&EN
33
