Former Lawmaker Will Join Chairman Greg Walden In Leading Effort to Keep Internet Open, Accessible & Supportive of Free Expression
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Edge Project (AEP), a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, today announced that former U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) is joining AEP to help lead the coalition’s efforts on internet openness, accessibility and free expression.
Congresswoman Sanchez will serve on AEP’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board alongside former U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), who served as chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
“An open, accessible internet plays a pivotal role in fostering freedom, individual rights, and a vibrant and healthy democracy,” said former Congresswoman Sanchez. “As we enter a new and exciting era of rapid technological innovation, we must ensure that future internet policies and regulations are guided by our core American values of openness, accessibility, and free expression. I look forward to working with Chairman Walden and the rest of the AEP team to help safeguard our competitive edge and facilitate a 21st century internet that protects the free flow of data and information.”
“America is in a winner-take-all contest with China to be the global innovation leader. Congresswoman Sanchez is an experienced and respected policy leader who will help ensure America wins that tech race, and that technology continues to articulate our country’s values of freedom, expression, and association, while empowering countless millions of citizens around the world to make their voices heard,” added Doug Kelly, CEO of American Edge.
Congresswoman Sanchez represented Orange County, California in the U.S. Congress from 1997 to 2017. As the vice chair of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services and U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, she negotiated budgets, and provided needed oversight on agencies and programs, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Ms. Sanchez led efforts on education attainment for all, small business regulatory reform, healthcare initiatives, and technology innovation. She was known in Congress for her passion for civil and human rights, especially the freedoms of expression and the press.
Congresswoman Sanchez is a recognized leader in economic development, international affairs, national security, counterterrorism, and nuclear proliferation/nonproliferation matters. As a Californian, she has been deeply involved in new technologies and sits on the boards of various start-ups in healthcare and data management. She also founded and serves as managing director of Datamatica, LLC, which uses data analysis to fortify economic development especially in rural areas.
BACKGROUND:
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board. Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.
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