Galveston County Daily News, Dec. 4, 2008 Dr. Kenneth Shine, interim chancellor of the UT System and UTMB's Dr. David Callender testified before a legislative committee about the damage caused by Hurricane Ike.  Dr. Callender said that UTMB needs an emergency appropriation of $200 million and long-term financial support from the state in order for UTMB to rebound from the damage.  Dr. Shine, when asked about support of UTMB, said, "Let me make it absolutely, unequivocally clear: The regents of The University of Texas strongly and consistently support the UT medical branch on the island.  It's very clear they want to see UTMB succeed, and they want to see it become a vibrant and effective institution." http://galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=f24ebcf02d15b099 The Associated Press version of the hearing was posted by numerous Websites around the state, including the Houston Chronicle at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6145726.html