Congressman Chet Edwards is one of only four Aggies in the U.S. Congress and has been a loyal supporter of Texas A&M; University for 33 years. Chet earned the Earl Rudder/Brown Foundation Award upon his graduation in 1974. One month later Edwards was hired as a Legislative Assistant by Congressman Olin E. "Tiger" Teague, Class of 1932. Congressman Teague chaired the House Science Committee and represented College Station, so Edwards worked closely with Texas A&M; officials for over three years to earmark research funding for Texas A&M; and its components, helping make A&M; one of the top research institutions in the country.

As a State Senator from 1983-1990, Edwards strongly supported A&M; funding issues. He was on the Texas Sunset Commission, which he later chaired, when he, along with Senators Kent Caperton and John Sharp, changed the state law to ensure an A&M; representative would serve on the Board overseeing the Permanent University Fund, which is a key component of A&M;’s funding.

As a U.S. Congressman since 1991, and as the only Texas Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Edwards has worked very closely with Texas A&M; on numerous appropriations projects.

As the Representative for Fort Hood, the only two-division U.S. Army installation in the world, Edwards has played a key role in bringing together the Army and A&M; on important research projects, including the Army’s vital digitization process. Edwards has been awarded the "Legislator of the Year" Award from the Association of the U.S. Army, headed by retired General Gordon Sullivan, the former Chief of Staff of the Army.

As co-chairman for 8 years of the bipartisan House Army Caucus, and as ranking Democrat on the powerful Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, Edwards is in a position to support future cooperative efforts between the Army and A&M.; With the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan legacy, it is helpful for Ft. Hood, A&M; and the state of Texas to have Chet Edwards as a senior appropriator.

projects Chet is working on for Texas A&M; include:

National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC)

Chet, working with members of the Texas delegation, helped to secure $22 million in funding for homeland security training and projects at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M; University. The bill awaits action in the Senate. The approved funding reverses a $15 million proposed cut under the Administration’s 2006 homeland security budget for NERRTC.

Police, firefighters, and EMS personnel come from across the country to receive first responder training at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M; in College Station. NERRTC funding has been singled out as a top public policy priority by the Texas A&M; system. If the cuts were not reversed, the number of students trained annually at NERRTC would have dropped dramatically from 40,000 to 9,000 and caused a reduction of 50 instructors and administrative personnel from a staff of 110.

Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI)

Chet secured $1.6 million for the Nuclear Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI) at Texas A&M; to dramatically increase important nuclear terrorism research in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The bill awaits action in the Senate. Chet, a senior member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, also secured $450,000 the last two years for a total of $2.1 million for the program

The Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI) was formally created at A&M; as a joint initiative between the Nuclear Engineering Department and the Bush School. The funding helps A&M; work with the Department of Energy (DOE) to prevent nuclear terrorism and produce the next generation of nuclear security experts. The nuclear engineering program at Texas A&M; is considered the nation’s largest and fastest growing program in the United States.

Easing Transportation Problems

Chet has worked with local leaders to improve transportation and reduce congestion in Brazos County. Over the last two years, Chet has worked to obtain $1 million in funding for the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) to conduct a study in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, and Brazos County. The funding for the study will look into how to reduce traffic congestion in the Brazos Valley and will serve as a model for other cities across the nation.

Chet secured $500,000 this year and $2.4 million in 2005 for improvements to the State Highway 6 and Barron Road Interchange in College Station. He also secured $2 million to expand the overpass over Old Reliance Road and Earl Rudder Freeway in Bryan, which is important to the new Bryan High School set to be built nearby. Chet also secured $2.4 million for improvements to University Drive east of Earl Rudder Freeway.

In 2005, Chet helped secure $2.7 million for major runway improvements at Easterwood Airport that were needed to preserve the safety and structure of the runway. In 2005, Chet also secured $625,000 for the Brazos Transit District for the purchase of 12 replacement buses for local bus service in the Bryan/College Station area. Existing buses have reached the end of their useful lives and badly need replacement.

Pointe du Hoc

Chet Edwards was able to secure $300,000 to help Texas A&M; researchers preserve historic Pointe du Hoc this year, which awaits action in the Senate. In 2005, Chet also secured $500,000 for Pointe du Hoc preservation efforts. Pointe du Hoc is the historic cliff on Omaha Beach in Normandy France that was scaled by Lt. Col. Earl Rudder and his Rudder’s Rangers during the June 6, 1944 D-Day Invasion.

Pointe du Hoc is currently at risk due to continuing coastal erosion. Texas A&M; researchers are currently working to preserve the site, which contains valuable historic information about the battle. A plaque has been erected on the historic site by the State of Texas honoring Lt. Col. Earl Rudder, who later became President of Texas A&M; University.

Agriculture

Congressman Edwards worked to restore $23.4 million for 17 Texas A&M; farming, forestry and animal health research programs proposed for elimination under the Administration’s budget proposal. Working with members of the Texas congressional delegation, Edwards was successful in adding funding back into the 2007 Ag bill.


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