Congressman Jim Moran's career in politics has been marked by his innovative approach to governing in the New Economy. From his early days in local politics in Alexandria, Virginia, to his current role as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jim Moran has been one of the most articulate and outspoken advocates for policies that promote technological advances, economic innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship. Representing the high-tech corridor of Northern Virginia, Congressman Moran was recently named by the Information Technology Industry Council as one of two "High-Tech Legislators of the Year" for his support and leadership on last year's Y2K Readiness act, digital signatures, and other key technology bills. He continues to lead the effort to increase the cap on H1B Visas and to champion workforce training initiatives, including Regional Skills Alliances, a PPI idea.

Congressman Moran is a founder and co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 65 pro-technology, pro-business members of Congress, and serves on the powerful Appropriations and Budget Committees. He has worked closely with the DLC and PPI, participating in many of our forums on technology and the New Economy. Earlier this year he returned to his home state of Massachusetts to participate in a DLC conference, "Massachusetts & New Hampshire: How to Win in the New Economy." Congressman Moran is also a member of PPI's Task Force on the New Economy, and helped to craft their recently released legislative agenda, "Making the New Economy Grow: An Action Agenda."

Representative Moran graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs with a master's degree in Public Administration after receiving a B.A. in economics from the College of the Holy Cross. His political career began in 1979 with his election to the City Council in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Moran served as Vice Mayor of Alexandria from 1982 to 1984, and was elected Mayor in 1985. He was re-elected Mayor in 1988.