Washington,
Sep 27 -
Two cutting-edge research development projects in the 6th District will be receiving almost $3 million thanks to U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), who was able to obtain the funding in the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations bill conference report approved by the House tonight. Congressman Coble said that $1.8 million will be spent on the Guilford Genomic Medicine Initiative and $1 million will be going to fund the Gallium Nitride RF Power Technology program, which is a project of RF Micro Devices of Greensboro.
Rep. Coble said that the Guilford Genomic Initiative is a joint research project being conducted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the Moses Cone Health System, and Duke University on behalf the U.S. Army. This will be the fourth year that Rep. Coble has obtained funding for the project. Rep. Coble worked with Reps. Brad Miller, David Price and Mel Watt to obtain this year’s funding. More than $9.2 million has been secured for the genomic medicine project during the past three years.
“Together, Moses Cone, UNCG and Duke are developing the first comprehensive model for integrating genomic knowledge and technology into today’s medical protocols,” Rep. Coble noted. “Incorporating genomic information into everyday medical practice is the future of medicine, but many are still unaware of how this can be utilitized. Working through the research with the U.S. Army, these leading North Carolina institutions are at the forefront of expanding our genomic knowledge.”
Congressman Coble said that as the country ages, including our armed forces, common medical issues for the current military active duty force and their spouses will develop within the DOD health care system. “The DOD medical system has 115 hospitals, almost 500 clinics, and about nine million patients that it serves annually,” Rep. Coble added. “Army officials tell us that translating basic genomic science into practical policy for use by medical professionals is critical. I am proud to assist Moses Cone, UNCG and Duke in fostering the kind of research that will aid not only our military personnel, but ultimately, our civilian population, as well.”
The Gallium Nitride RF Power Technology program is a joint venture among RF Micro Devices, headquartered in Greensboro, along with Pennsylvania State University and II-IV Corporation. This project will research formulas to improve high-tech communications for the U.S. Navy. Congressman Coble said that Senator Dole was instrumental in obtaining the $1 million for this program.
Tonight, the House approved the FY2007 DOD conference report (H.R. 5631) by a vote of 394-22. Once the Senate approves the conference report, President Bush is expected to sign the funding bill into law.
