[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13840-S13841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be 
a period for the transaction of routine morning business with Senators 
permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


   cooperative state research extension and education service grants

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, my colleague from Michigan, Senator 
Abraham, and I would like to engage the distinguished manager of the 
bill in a brief colloquy regarding an important Cooperative State 
Research Extension and Education Service [CSREES] grant that has 
supported innovative work conducted by Michigan State University [MSU] 
and the Michigan Biotechnology Institute [MBI]. Through CSREES support, 
MSU/MBI have been working to commercialize agricultural technologies, 
particularly those that stimulate new uses for agricultural 
commodities, from our Nation's universities and Federal laboratories.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Due in part to past CSREES Special Research Grant 
support, MSU/MBI has succeeded in creating five new companies using 
agricultural technologies. One company was created to market a new 
biodegradable plastic resin for applications such as plastic knives, 
forks and spoons used in fast food establishments. The new resin has 
all the benefits of conventional petroleum-based technology but you can 
throw it away and it will decompose without adding to our nation's 
landfills. This research has created new companies, new jobs, and 
increased Michigan's tax base. I strongly support these efforts.

[[Page S13841]]

  Mr. LEVIN. The House fiscal year 1996 Agriculture Appropriations bill 
proposes to fund the Michigan Biotechnology Consortium--also read 
Institute--at $1 million. This is approximately a 50% reduction from 
the FY95 level of $1.995 million. I understand that the budget deficit 
demands sacrifice from all agencies and grant recipients, but a 50% cut 
will severely affect the cutting-edge work done by and the pace of 
technological innovation at MBI.
  The Senate FY96 Agriculture Appropriations bill does not include 
funding for MBI under CSREES. However, the Senate conferees have 
receded to the House level for MBI in past years, with strong support 
from the Michigan Congressional delegation. I urge the Senate Conferees 
to once again accept the House's funding level and, if possible, return 
MBI funding to its FY95 level.
  Mr. COCHRAN. I am aware of the valuable CSREES work that has been 
conducted by MSU/MBI. I assure my colleagues from Michigan that I will 
revisit MBI's FY96 funding in conference and will remember the 
Senators' strong support for MBI.

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