California Rep. Mike Honda (left) toured laser company Directed Light Inc. of San Jose, Calif., in September. The visit is part of the National Photonics Initiative, a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government working to raise awareness among lawmakers of the importance of photonics to the national economy. Photo courtesy of Directed Light. The congressman met with employees, local business leaders and researchers to discuss the benefits of photonics and the role it plays in solving the challenges of a modern world. “My tour of Directed Light today highlighted how photonics enables our day-to-day lives, and I saw firsthand the ways in which optics and photonics support our local economy,” Honda said. “We must ensure US workers receive the training they need to have careers in this important, expanding industry.”