Fattah Updates Israeli President Shimon Peres on US-Israel Neuroscience Legislation

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Jun 26, 2014, 10:14 ET

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) joined Israeli President Shimon Peres yesterday in Washington and updated him on bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives that would increase cooperation between Israel and the United States on brain research.

Congressman Fattah and President Peres meet in Tel-Aviv, October 2013 (PRNewsFoto/Office of Congressman Fattah)

Introduced by Fattah in April, H.R.4472, the US-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act of 2014, would establish a grant program to fund joint ventures between Israeli and U.S. business entities and academic researchers. Both Fattah and Peres have been outspoken advocates for brain research. Fattah, who is architect of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, has lead efforts in Congress to increase neuroscience funding and expand international collaborations around neuroscience. Peres has pledged to make Israel a world leader in neuroscience and neurotechnology.

Peres is in Washington this week to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Fattah will attend today's ceremony at the U.S. Capitol recognizing Peres for his historic leadership of the country and reaffirming the bond between the US and Israel. The medal is the highest honor Congress can award civilians, and Peres is the first sitting Israeli President to receive the award.

"It was an honor and pleasure to see President Peres again and update him on my progress to forge a formal neuroscience partnership between our two countries. We have a shared belief in the global impact of brain research and the importance of collaboration and cooperation in this field," Congressman Fattah said. "President Peres' leadership and service to his country is unmatched, and his extraordinary vision has continued to guide Israel into the 21^st century. Today's Gold Medal recognition is a fitting tribute for a true hero and public servant."

Congressman Fattah and Peres were most recently together last October in Tel Aviv, when Fattah served as the keynote speaker at BrainTech Israel 2013, the country's inaugural brain technology conference. Their one-on-one meeting last fall was an impetus for the Global Neuroscience Partnership bill.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140626/122009

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah