EXECUTIVE ORDER
00-07
WHEREAS, Missouri historically has transformed the earth's abundance into life-enhancing products by combining the latest in technology and the best in people; and
WHEREAS, at the start of a new century, Missouri is an international center of plant and human genome research, health care advances, environmental protection and agricultural development; and
WHEREAS, this development is supported by a sophisticated transportation and information technology infrastructure, world-class research universities and a highly trained workforce; and
WHEREAS, Missouri receives $316 million a year in federal life sciences research dollars from the National Institutes of Health alone -- representing a 46 percent increase in just five years between 1995 and 1999; and
WHEREAS, Missouri is home to more than 100 life sciences companies, placing it among the top third of all U.S. states in the number of life sciences companies; and
WHEREAS, Missouri ranks eighth in the nation in the number of "gazelle" jobs, signifying the degree to which the state's economy is composed of new, rapidly growing firms and indicating that Missouri's economy is dynamic and adaptive; and
WHEREAS, a vibrant life sciences industry creates excellent jobs, lifting the state's entire economy and thereby improving the quality of life for all Missourians; and
WHEREAS, state government can and should play a major role in creating a positive climate for continued growth of the state's life sciences industry; and
WHEREAS, state government can and should serve as a catalyst that spurs collaboration among the state's research institutions, business, agriculture, schools and all others active in the life sciences.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby designate the life sciences industry as one of Missouri's Lead Industries for purposes of economic development and growth.
In so doing, I also hereby direct every executive branch department to review how its programs and activities impact the state life sciences industry and how it can play a role in creating a positive climate for continued growth of the state's life sciences industry and in serving as a catalyst for collaboration in the life sciences throughout Missouri. Each department is directed to submit a report detailing the results of this review to the Department of Economic Development, which will prepare a consolidated report for my review no later than May 1, 2000.
Furthermore, I also hereby direct the formation of an interagency task force on the life sciences, chaired by the Department of Economic Development, which will facilitate interagency cooperation on behalf of the life sciences. Membership shall initially include representatives of the Department of Education, the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health and other such departments as may potentially have a role in promoting life sciences in Missouri. This interagency task force shall meet no less frequently than once every two months and will submit an annual report to my attention detailing its activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 24th day of March, 2000.
GOVERNOR
[Mel Carnahan's signature]
ATTEST:
[Rebecca McDowell Cook's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE
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