[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
                RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

       The House in committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill, (H.R. 3010) 
     making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health 
     and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor today 
to highlight my disappointment with the lack of an adequate response 
from the the National Institutes of Health concerning the conduct of 
basic behavioral research and training by the National Institute of 
General Medical Sciences. NIGMS is the institute dedicated to basic 
science that serves as the building blocks for applied research at 
multiple disease-specific institutes. For many years, Congress has 
directed NIGMS to fulfill its statutory mandate to include basic 
behavioral research and training as a component of its mission.
  Two years ago, in August 2003, I met with the Deputy Director of NIH, 
and urged that he help ensure that this basic function at NIGMS receive 
funding. This meeting led to the formation of an advisory committee to 
the NIH Director. That Special Task Force reported to the NIH Director 
in December and recommended that basic behavior research and training 
authority be funded at NIGMS. The National Academy of Sciences, in May 
of this year, also urged implementation and funding of this authority, 
particularly in research training, as such researchers will support the 
important advances in understanding the wide ranging of fundamental 
behavioral topics relevant to a variety of diseases and health 
conditions.
  Basic behavioral science is critical to a comprehensive research 
agenda at NIH, and as several expert panels have concluded, NIGMS is 
the logical place to house such research and training. I intend to work 
with my fellow appropriators in the other body and with the Chairman 
and Ranking Member to see that our final bill makes sure this priority 
is realized.

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