U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra Addresses Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Intelligence Community at USGIF’s Speaker Series Kickoff

June 28, 2004

OAK HILL, Va. – The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) kicked off its 2004 Speaker Series on June 23 with a USGIF members’ dinner featuring Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) as guest speaker.

Congressman Hoekstra is chairman of the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, and is also on the Subcommittee on Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, as well as the Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security.

The Congressman spoke to a packed room of USGIF members, addressing the current state of the U.S. intelligence program as it relates to the war against terrorism.

“The USGIF provides a forum for members of the geospatial community to come together and further their common goal of winning the global war on terror,” Hoekstra said.

“There is a critical need for U.S. intelligence to utilize and invest in geospatial technologies, and the foundation plays a clear and vital role in helping to shape and integrate the community.”

“Our goal for the Speaker Series is to provide a valuable education and networking forum for our members,” said K. Stuart Shea, chairman of the board of directors, USGIF.

“Congressman Hoekstra’s visit was invaluable to our members and we appreciate his insights
on the need for the entire geospatial intelligence community to work more closely together.”
USGIF Event Summary

The members’ dinner was the first event of the USGIF Speaker Series, which will include educational seminars, networking opportunities, distinguished guest dinners and more. The next event is scheduled for September.

The U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation is a Virginia-based nonstock, not-for-profit corporation that is applying for a Section 501©(3) tax-exempt status. The foundation is dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger community of interest between government, industry, academic and professional organizations and individuals who share a mission focus around the development and application of geospatial intelligence data and geo-processing resources to address national security objectives. For more information on the foundation, visit www.usgif.org.

The USGIF will host a national GEOINT 2004 symposium October 12-14 in New Orleans, at which key members of the Geospatial intelligence community are expected to attend and exhibit. The symposium builds upon the highly-acclaimed GEO-INTEL 2003 symposium and will assess how geospatial technologies can further the National and Homeland Security agendas. For more information on GEOINT 2004, visit www.geoint2004.com.

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