[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARY FALLIN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 2009

  Ms. FALLIN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership 
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information 
regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293--Departments of 
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010.
  I requested and received on behalf of Oklahoma State University--
Center for Health Systems located at 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 
74107 the amount of $300,000.
  This project seeks to do two things: (1) expand and enhance the OSU 
Center for Health Science's health information technology system, 
including its telemedicine and distance learning as well as electronic 
medical records network, and (2) bring diagnostic and medical services 
to geographic regions in Oklahoma where even telemedicine is not yet 
feasible or reasonably located by use of a mobile clinic. The mobile 
clinics will be available to provide medical services in response to 
natural or manmade disasters.
  I requested and received on behalf of Oklahoma State University 
located at Oklahoma State University--Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 the 
amount of $350,000.
  Oklahoma State University and ProCure Treatment Centers Inc. have 
formed a public-private partnership for training, education and 
research in proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. In many 
situations cancer treatment by means of precisely directed beams of 
energetic protons is the most effective therapeutic alternative to more 
traditional surgical and radiation cancer treatment procedures. ProCure 
is currently completing construction of a multi-million dollar, proton 
treatment facility in Oklahoma City, dedicated to the treatment of 
cancer. It will allow access to world-leading technology for patients 
in the central region of the United States and is the first of several 
such centers planned by ProCure throughout the country in the coming 
years. We propose to place Oklahoma at the forefront of proton cancer 
treatment by establishing a world-class, research and education center 
at OSU, in partnership with ProCure, in order to train accredited 
personnel in this next-generation cancer treatment modality. Scientists 
at the world-renowned Radiation Physics Laboratory at OSU have been 
conducting research in the characterization and monitoring of proton 
beams used in cancer therapy for over fifteen years. The OSU group has 
recently teamed with ProCure to establish a research and training 
program at OSU. The requested federal funding will build from the 
existing private funding to establish a leading national center of 
excellence. Establishing a proton therapy center in the middle of 
Oklahoma will be of tremendous benefit to the citizens of this state 
and surrounding states. There are estimated to be over 250,000 cancer 
patients nationwide, and over 3,000 each year in a 250 mile radius of 
Oklahoma City, many of whom can benefit from proton radiation therapy.
  I requested and received on behalf of Oklahoma City Community College 
located at 7777 South May Ave., OKC, OK 73150 the amount of $200,000.
  In anticipation of the need to provide enhanced services for the 
predicted increase in service members attending OCCC, a full time 
Coordinator of Veterans Services position was established this year. 
Additional personnel to support this special population includes 
licensed professional counselor, career advisors, clerical support, and 
tutoring services.
  Expansion of services for service members enrolled in classes at OCCC 
should be promoted to these students by the Veterans Services Office 
functioning as a centralized source of information and referral. 
Information, services, and referral should include but is not limited 
to: readjustment counseling; academic assessment and remediation (if 
needed); academic advising and development of an individualized 
education plan; review of veteran benefits; career counseling; 
workshops; networking; and an opportunity to have the same level of 
camaraderie that is experienced in the military.
  To succeed in college, it is critical that veterans have a successful 
transition from the military into campus life. The aim of this program 
is to provide intensive transitional and support services for military 
veterans as many veterans have a difficult time readjusting to civilian 
life and translating their military service into applicable college and 
career goals. We would provide enhanced and specialized support 
services to military veteran students from the time they commit to 
attending the OCCC through the end of their education with us and 
beyond.

                          ____________________