[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 108 (Friday, July 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1833-E1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday July 15, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3183) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I join my colleagues in opposition 
to the Flake Amendment to H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water 
Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010.
  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I believe it is our duty 
to work with our colleagues across the aisle in crafting a bill that 
helps our country in times of economic peril. In a political climate 
where energy sources and technology have become a central focal point, 
we must do everything in our power to do what is in the best interest 
of the constituents in our respective districts, and indeed, the nation 
as well. This amendment, however, is not in the best interest of our 
constituents.
  The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR), Inc., which 
is based in the State of Georgia, is an organization which specializes 
in the transfer of plant biotechnologies from the research laboratory 
to the marketplace, and in the process, provides expanded economic 
opportunities through university research. CPBR's research programs and 
activities are undertaken cooperatively with major colleges and 
universities around the nation, including Albany State University, 
which is located in my Congressional district.
  In its short history, the CPBR has produced over 2.5 U.S. Patents 
with every $1 million dollars of federal funding provided. Through 
CPBR, every federal dollar is matched at a rate of 130% with non-
federal funds. Additionally, the organization has a commercialization 
rate on successful projects which is over 210% higher than what 
universities get on their own.
  The amendment offered by Congressman Flake frankly represents a gross 
lack of judgment, particularly given the enormous benefits we are 
continuing to gain as a result of the CPBR's research activities and 
tangible results being put in practice.
  The CPBR has successfully worked with a number of historically black 
colleges and universities (HBCU) through its HBCU and Minority 
Institutions Research Fellowship Program. This program provides peer 
reviewed projects at these colleges and universities which, has in 
turn, sparked development and growth between the faculty and students.
  This also broadens its interaction with its private sector partners, 
who work closely with the CPBR and its researchers, to carry out the 
transfer research and technology into the production of new and 
improved agricultural and manufacturing processes and products. Keep in 
mind, these are new products which were created and developed by 
students and researchers at Universities around the country.
  These industrial innovations create thousands of new jobs and 
strengthen our national

[[Page E1834]]

economy. One example of CPBR's research is the current use of 
Miscanthus as a feedstock for bio-ethanol and other industrial 
chemicals--a discovery which is currently used to reduce pollution from 
petroleum-based products throughout the energy industry. This is a 
clear example of the contributions which this group has made in moving 
our nation toward energy independence and improved technological 
efficiency.
  We are all aware that advancing energy technology is one of the most 
important issues we face today. It is an issue that many feel very 
passionate about and affects the pockets of all of us and our 
constituents.
  So it is essential that we continue to support activities of worthy 
organizations such as CPBR.
  Mr. Chair, in closing, the enormity and size of the challenges facing 
communities impacted by the energy crisis is overwhelming. Funding for 
the work of the CPBR is worthy of continuation, and I would urge my 
colleagues to oppose the Flake amendment.

                          ____________________