For immediate release: Sept. 13, 2007

GALVESTON, Texas - In response to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's announcement in the news release below, David L. Callender, president of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, said, "We are most appreciative to Senator Hutchison for championing this important training program and to her colleagues for supporting it. The appropriation will allow us to train scientists from here and elsewhere to improve the safety and effectiveness of efforts and to study and manage the threat of serious infectious diseases, and the entire nation will be the winner."

Dr. Stanley Lemon, principal investigator on the Galveston National Laboratory grant and director of UTMB's Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, said, "We are very grateful for Senator Hutchison's leadership and vision in establishing this new national training center, which will play a critically important role in our efforts to control life-threatening infectious diseases."

Dr. James LeDuc, associate director for program development for the Galveston National Laboratory, said the appropriation announced by Senator Hutchison "represents a well-recognized need to train scientists and staff to work under high-containment laboratory conditions, and it's wonderful that Senator Hutchison has given UTMB the opportunity to address this need."

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Public Affairs Office
301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102
Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
www.utmb.edu
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For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Matt Mackowiak

September 12, 2007 (202) 224-9767

Sen. Hutchison Delivers $1.75 Million for Galveston in 2008 Defense Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today secured $1.75 million for Galveston as the full Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill.

"Stronger training and analysis is the best way to prepare against potential terrorist attacks," Sen. Hutchison said. "These funds will give the University of Texas Medical Branch new resources to protect America from the threat of biological weapons."

The funding provided in this bill will establish a National Biodefense Training Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. A Pilot Training Facility with Mock BSL4 laboratory will be constructed and supporting staff and faculty will be hired to operate the lab. The purpose of this facility will be to create and use advanced technologies to assess threats and develop countermeasures in order to better defend our country.

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