San Jose Mercury News, Calif., James J. Mitchell Column.

Byline: James J. Mitchell

May 28--KEY GROUP IN CONGRESS GETS TECH INSIGHTS: Many members of Congress visit Silicon Valley these days -- often to learn, not just raise money. But few groups seem to have learned as much and are as effective in communicating it to their colleagues as the New Democrat Network, which is coming this week for the fourth straight year.

Members of the NDN caucuses in the House and Senate often provide important input on issues of vital interest to Silicon Valley and the New Economy, such as H-1B visas, tax credits for research and development and extending the moratorium on new Internet taxes. They've even persuaded Minority Leader …