[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL BIO- AND AGRO-DEFENSE FACILITY

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                           HON. LYNN JENKINS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2009

  Ms. JENKINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the National 
Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, also known as the NBAF. After September 
11, former-President Bush issued a security directive to increase our 
nation's capacity for animal disease research to protect our food 
supply as well as defend our agriculture and public health against 
disease outbreaks.
  This directive could not come too soon, as the H1N1 pandemic is 
testament to the need for such high-level disease research and the 
impacts such outbreaks have on individuals in the United States and 
also around the world. The current facility at Plum Island is aging and 
cannot keep pace with today's needs.
  DHS conducted an exhaustive, three-year search for the best site to 
relocate the facility. In January, the Department completed its search 
and finalized Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas as the site 
selection.
  The so-called animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan to 
Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than one-third of the animal health 
industry, involving more than 120 companies. Additionally, Kansas State 
has an internationally recognized animal health research expertise and 
with existing research infrastructure, including the Biosecurity 
Research Institute and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center. 
DHS chose the right place for NBAF, and now, we must work to complete 
the construction process.
  This project is critical to the protection of our food supply and 
public health which is why we cannot afford to delay it. Madam Speaker, 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the construction of NBAF 
in Kansas.

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