Fattah Spotlights Growing Importance of America's Federal Laboratories

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), the lead Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for funding federal research highlighted the critical work of the country's federal laboratories in meetings and briefings this week.

Fattah, a long-time advocate of the federal laboratories and founder of the House Science and National Labs Caucus, met Tuesday with Dr. Thomas Rosenbaum, President of the California Institute of Technology and Dr. Charles Elachi, Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL is a federally funded research and development facility managed by CalTech for NASA. Two years ago, Congressman Fattah visited JPL to view the arrival of the Mars rover Curiosity, following its eight month mission to the planet. In Washington yesterday, Drs. Rosenbaum and Elachi provided an update on the insights the rover has provided about the planet Mars.  

"Our country's federal laboratories are invaluable research centers that have produced some of the most important scientific discoveries and innovations in our nation's history.  As always, it is exciting to hear firsthand updates on the impressive research and invention coming from one of the labs," Congressman Fattah said.  "We must continue to prioritize funding for these centers and look at new ways to expand their scope and breadth so we can further elevate science, research, and innovation through our federal labs; they are critical to our nation's science infrastructure."

Earlier in the week, Fattah voted in support of H.R. 3438, the National Labs Means National Security Act. The bill, which passed the House, amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize recipients of certain Homeland Security grants to work in conjunction with a National Laboratory to achieve target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism.

Fattah also provided opening remarks this week to the House Science and National Labs Caucus briefing, "Addressing Medical Isotope Shortages." The Congressional briefing featured a diverse panel of scientists from the public, private, and medical sectors who shared how they are addressing medical isotope supply concerns. The event was one in a series of briefings hosted by the Labs Caucus, aimed at raising the national profile of the 17 National Laboratories and 23 federal research and development centers across the country.

The government spending bill expected to pass Congress next week will include spending for the country's research laboratories.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fattah-spotlights-growing-importance-of-americas-federal-laboratories-300005068.html

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov

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