Governor O'Malley Delivers Keynote Address at Embassy of Israel
Highlights the Biotech Partnership Between Israel and Maryland
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 19, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today delivered the keynote address at the Embassy of Israel’s “An Evening at the Embassy,” an event presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and cosponsored by the Maryland/Israel Development Center. Governor O’Malley joined His Excellency Sallai Meridor, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, to celebrate the new biotech partnership between Israel and Maryland.
“Maryland is home to all of America’s major federal research and regulatory agencies, in addition to some of the world’s leading institutions of science and discovery. And as impressive as our institutional resources are, our greatest assets are the talents, the creativity, the skills, and the ingenuity of our people. We have, according to Forbes Magazine, one of America’s three most highly skilled workforces and that’s because we also have one of America’s three best public school systems,” he said.
Governor O’Malley added, “Perhaps the very best advertising we are able to offer to prospective Israeli partners is that Maryland is home to nearly 30 Israeli companies, with more than 50 Israeli firms doing business in the Washington-Baltimore metro area.”
Governor O’Malley also noted that Maryland has the highest percentage of doctoral scientists and engineers in the United States and the highest percentage of professional and technical workers. On a per capita basis, Maryland ranks first in the nation in terms of federal research and development obligations, and Maryland is home to 19 technology incubators. The Milken Institute, earlier this year, ranked Maryland second in the nation in technology preparedness and first in the nation for human capital investment.
Earlier this year, Governor O’Malley led a high level delegation of Maryland business people, State government officials and Jewish community leaders on an economic development mission to Israel The delegation focused on expanding the already substantial business ties between Maryland and Israel. During the week-long mission, the Governor met with a number of high level Israeli business executives, including the CEOs of Teva Pharmaceuticals, BiolineRx and ClassifEye Ltd. As a result, Teva Pharmaceuticals affirmed its commitment to Maryland, and BiolineRx and ClassifEye announced that they will both be opening offices in Maryland as a foothold into the U.S. market.
Governor O’Malley also had a prominent role at the Israel Biomed 2008 Conference in Tel Aviv during his trip. The Governor delivered a speech titled “Commercialization through Collaboration,” during the U.S. Drug and Device Commercialization session moderated by Maryland resident Lynn Schapiro Snyder, head of Health Care and Life Sciences Practice of Epstein, Becker & Green. The session focused on U.S. market entry and regulatory compliance at Maryland-based federal agencies, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and FDA.
Governor O’Malley concluded his remarks with thoughts on how Israel and Maryland can continue their strong partnership.
“Our ability to be an attractive global partner here in Maryland relies upon our ability to remain a place where people would want to live, work, and raise a family,” he said. “If we are to truly expand and grow our special relationship in Israel, one of the best things we can do is to continue protecting our priorities here in Maryland – to continue making the most important investments of all: our investments in one another.”
“Together, as we continue this strive for progress that has defined the history of both the United States and Israel, I leave you tonight with some words from President Kennedy: ‘Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom.’”
The event consisted of remarks by Governor O’Malley, His Excellency Sallai Meridor, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and Ron Glancz, President of JCRC of Greater Washington. Approximately 200 guests, including local Israeli business leaders and elected officials, attended the event.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) is the public affairs and community relations arm of the Jewish community representing 210 Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. The JCRC focuses on government relations, Israel advocacy, inter-group relations, and social justice.
