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“Classified Amount to Multiple Recipients for China Geospatial Data Project”

Sponsors: Rep. Boustany (R-LA) Rep. Everett (R-AL) Rep. Jindal (R-LA)  

(3 Comments)

This Earmark Has Multiple Recipients

Because this earmark specifies multiple recipients, we'll skip the guided research.

While you are certainly encouraged to google the recipients for information on them, or to see if they've received contracts or grants in FedSpending.org, or have made campaign contributions or hired lobbyists at opensecrets, we're not providing a separate set of fields to hold that research.

Feel free to leave information on what you find in the "Add a comment or contribute additional research" box below.

Bill_Allison wrote:

Looks like this is actually one recipient -- 3001 Inc. Their Web site is here: http://www.3001inc.com/newsite3001/index.php

The address for their corporate HQ is 10300 Eaton Place, Suite 340, Fairfax, VA 22030, but they have offices in several locations (see <a href="http://www.3001inc.com/newsite3001/index.php?inc=inc_temp.php&menu=menu1_0.php&body=body1_8.php">here</a>), including two in Alabama and one in Louisiana (you'd kind of think it would be the other way around, given that one sponsor is from Alabama and two are from Louisiana).

According to <a href="http://www.3001inc.com/newsite3001/index.php?inc=inc_corp_history.php&menu=menu1_0.php&body=body1_3.php">this</a>, the company started in Louisiana:

<blockquote>In 1965, 3001, Inc. was established to provide consulting, engineering, and surveying services to the government and private sector. From a two-person firm performing local projects in southwest Louisiana, the company has become a leading geospatial services company with over 230 dedicated and innovative employees, offices across the United States, and projects throughout the Americas. Today, 3001 continues to make history as a leader in geospatial technologies by building new capabilities on our strong foundations.

With a stable customer base built on hard work in the 1960's, 3001 was able to offer advanced technologies including programmable calculators and Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) to streamline processes in the 1970's. In the 1980's 3001 introduced their customers to the benefits of total stations, automated hydrographic surveying, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In the 1990's 3001 began digital orthophotography services, implemented the ISO 9001 quality process, and developed the Aeroscan LiDAR system. Since 2000, 3001 has focused on development of applications and projects using digital photogrammetric mapping cameras, LiDAR services, Intel-Defense Solutions, creation of digital nautical charts using the IHO S-57 hydrographic surveying standard for U.S. inland waterways, and in 2004, the firm's management accomplished a recapitalization to continue advancing our position in the geospatial market.</blockquote>

The site lists top management, but I couldn't find any reference to the China Geospatial Data Project, or anything that seemed close.

posted September 24, 2007 at 5:13 p.m.

Bill_Allison wrote:

We also know that 3001 Inc. <a href="http://opensecrets.org/lobbyists/clientsum.asp?txtname=3001+Inc&year=2007">has hired federal lobbyists</a> -- while 2007 spending isn't reported to be much, in 2005 and 2006 their lobbyists reported spending more than $300K each year...

posted September 24, 2007 at 5:44 p.m.

Bill_Allison wrote:

According to <a href="http://sopr.senate.gov/cgi-win/opr_gifviewer.exe?/2007/01/000/080/000080357|2">this form</a> at the Senate Office of Public Records site, 3001 hired Sonny Callahan and Associates to represent them (which reported $60,000 in lobbying expenses in 2007 -- which for some reason is missing from OpenSecrets.org's lobbying records).

Sonny Callahan & Associates has its <a href="http://www.sonnycallahan.com/">own Web site</a>; here's a bit from <a href="http://sonnycallahan.com/sonny.htm">Sonny's bio</a>:

"Sonny's career in Congress saw him rise in just 10 years from being a freshman Congressman from South Alabama to become one of the 13 "Cardinals," so-named because they are among the most influential members of the House of Representatives. Elected to Congress in 1984, Congressman Callahan was named Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations in 1995. During the six years he chaired this subcommittee, he worked with the administration and the Congress in protecting America's interests and investments around the world.

"In 2000, he became the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. This subcommittee is responsible for funding all civil projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as portions of the Department of Interior and the Department of Energy and a number of independent agencies. In this position, Congressman Callahan worked closely with the Bush Administration to develop and finance a new national energy policy.

"While chairman of this subcommittee, he also served as vice chairman of Foreign Operations and was a member of the Transportation Subcommittee. Congressman Callahan's ability to get things done in Congress won him friends on both sides of the aisle. Prior to going to Congress, Callahan served in the U.S. Navy and had a successful career in the transit industry, starting as a truck driver and working his way up to president of the company. He later ran for and was elected first to the House and then the Senate of the Alabama State Legislature. He served in state government 12 years before running for Congress.

"Now with his own consulting firm, Sonny Callahan and Associates has offices in Mobile, Alabama, and in Washington, D.C. The firm also is affiliated with former Appropriations Chairman Bob Livingston (R-La) and Bob Dawson and Associates, and former Congressman Larry Hopkins, (R-Ky)."

posted September 24, 2007 at 5:54 p.m.