Telecommunications, the Internet, and E-commerce continue to be the driving force of our economy's growth, with bioscience poised to deliver the next wave in the following 10 years. A healthy trade in exports in professional services and the knowledge industry continues to grow rapidly, while international business in the region continues to expand. The marvel is not only the booming growth that the New Economy has spawned, but also the quality of leadership that has brought us to where we are in 2005. The vision I have outlined for the region is, admittedly, optimistic. And it should be.
Recognition is one thing.
Fulfilling a vision, however, is quite another. In that regard there is much we can do. Let's look now specifically at the District of Columbia. Today, Washington, DC substantially lags behind Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland as a driver in the New Economy engines of InfoComm and Bioscience. Yet, the District possesses many assets that can be the foundation for its future growth.