Washington, D.C., January 14, 2009 – Edward Long, Ph.D., an expert in health appropriations and policy, has joined Van Scoyoc Associates Inc., Washington’s largest independent government affairs firm.

“We’ve been following Ed’s work, with admiration, for many years. Nobody in town knows more about health care research and public health policy. We’re thrilled to have him join our firm and strengthen our health practice,” said H. Stewart “Stu” Van Scoyoc, President of the firm.

“Ed’s experience will help us strengthen the ability of our clients to tie Federal funding and policy initiatives together. This intersection in advocacy is at the heart of most issues the Federal Government addresses today. I look forward to working with Ed on a wide variety of biomedical research, education, and technology matters,” said Kevin F. Kelly, a VSA Vice President who served with Dr. Long as a Majority Subcommittee Clerk on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

For many years, Dr. Long has taken a leading role in appropriations and public health consulting, following a distinguished and varied career with Congress.

“With the Van Scoyoc team and particularly professionals like Kevin Kelly, I’m excited about better serving my clients,” Dr. Long said.

In a 13-year tenure at the Capitol Associates government affairs firm, Dr. Long built a substantial practice in health and education policy and appropriations, focusing on academic health centers, medical research, public health, wellness, and disability policy. He has worked closely with Congress’ appropriations and authorizing committees, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ public health agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense

Dr. Long also worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate for 13 years. From 1993 to 1995 he served as the Majority Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition to overseeing the budgets of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor, he was responsible for preparing the budget for the National Institutes of Health. Prior to joining the Appropriations Committee staff, he served as Legislative Director for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Dr. Long was Chief Foreign Policy Assistant from 1983 to 1990, first for the late Congressman Ted Weiss, D-N.Y., a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and later for Sen. Harkin. While serving Sen. Harkin in this capacity, he handled all foreign aid appropriations, including monitoring development assistance programs.

Dr. Long received the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris award in 2005. In 2006 he was selected to serve as a member of the Board of the Melanoma Research Foundation. Dr. Long received his Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego. In 1982, he won a Congressional Fellowship from the American Historical Association.

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PRESS CONTACT: Nolan Walters (202) 737-8174 or nwalters@vsadc.com