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SME Congressional Fellow takes full time position on House subcommittee staff
Dr. Joshua Hoffman will continue to work on mining-related issues
Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) member Joshua Hoffman, Ph.D., P.E., has spent the past year in Washington, D.C., as the primary technical staff resource for the majority on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. As the recipient of the first SME Congressional Fellowship, Dr. Hoffman’s Fellowship term ran from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015.
Dr. Hoffman has announced that following completion of his SME Fellowship term, he will remain in Washington, D.C., and has officially joined the House Committee on Natural Resources as Professional Staff on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Hoffman has stated that participating in the SME Congressional Fellowship program has undoubtedly changed the trajectory of his career, and contributed to his decision to remain in Washington, D.C., where he can engage directly with mining issues within the legislative process on a daily basis.
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During the tenure of his Fellowship, Hoffman worked on industry issues including:
- Critical and strategic minerals legislation
- Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
- Mining workforce
- Effect of regulation on the mining industry
- Stream buffer zone rule impact on the coal industry
- USGS and OSMRE budget hearings
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Other notable tasks included organizing and staffing various budget, oversight and legislative hearings in the first session of the 114th Congress, and aiding in drafting legislation.
SME’s 2015-2016 Congressional Fellowship recipient, Kevin Ashley – a mining engineer with 35 years of experience – will begin his term September 1, 2015. Following the orientation and interview period, Ashley will work as a mining resource for the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. For more information on the SME Congressional Fellowship, visit www.smenet.org/about-sme/government-affairs.
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SME is a professional society (nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation) whose more than 15,000 members represent all professions serving the minerals industry in more than 100 countries. SME members include engineers, geologists, metallurgists, educators, students and researchers. SME advances the worldwide minerals community through information exchange and professional development.
For more information, contact John Hayden, Deputy Executive Director - Public Affairs and Government Relations, (303) 948-4250 or hayden@smenet.org.
SME exists to be the premier resource and advocate for the mining community.
For further details, see www.smenet.org.
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