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Congressional Achievements During his ten months in the House, Walter served on the Committee on Science, where he focused on the aerospace, research and technology issues critical to UCSB and the Central Coast. He also sat on the Committee on International Relations, and was deeply involved in national security matters, trade, the advancement of human rights, and the development of democracy. Walter was a leader on a number of national issues, from the introduction of a bill to support victims of Lou Gehrig's Disease to the successful ban on the importation of assault weapons into the United States. He also took a leading role in church-state issues, as befitting someone with his academic background. International Relations Committee work included efforts to expand Tibetan exchange programs, broaden U.S. trade with Vietnam, and improve human rights in China. On the Science Committee, Walter sponsored legislation to ensure full funding for NASA's Mission to Planet Earth Program and fought for increased funding for the National Science Foundation. Walter was also very active on a number of local issues. He secured federal support for highway improvement and harbor dredging programs throughout the Central Coast. He also spearheaded efforts to protect local vintners and farms. And he helped obtain critical law enforcement grants for several communities in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. |
