Pryce Directs Federal Funding to OSU
Research and Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today announced federal funding for a series of research projects and initiatives at the Ohio State University. The funds, specifically requested by Rep. Pryce, are part of the fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations conference report.

“This money will help launch crucial health research and cutting-edge technologies, expand the impact of environmental discoveries and studies, promote economic development, rehabilitate dilapidated housing sites, and improve our local economy,” said Pryce. “I am pleased that these deserving and important initiatives, which capitalize on the academic advantages and applied research expertise at Ohio State, will receive these valuable federal resources, without which the projects may not have been realized.”

In all, Congresswoman Pryce’s FY 2005 requests for targeted federal funding have resulted in nearly $11 million being directed to initiatives that benefit OSU. The initiatives related to OSU for which Pryce requested federal support and which received funding from the Omnibus Appropriations Act are:

·        $1.4 million for The Ohio State University’s Biomedical Research Tower

This project encompasses new construction of the tower and new construction and renovation of educational facilities for the College of Medicine and Public Health. These funds will help address unmet space needs in 3 critical areas: Biomedical Research; the School of Public Health; and academic/instructional space. This amount, the highest amount that the project has ever received, brings Congresswoman Pryce’s four-year total of secured federal funding for this project to $5 million.

·        $735,000 for the Frozen Berry Research to Prevent Cancer project

Fruit and Vegetable consumption has often been associated with a reduced risk of digestive tract cancers. Yet, identifying specific nutrients or food components responsible for imparting protection has proven challenging. The studies conducted by this group have demonstrated that dietary administration of freeze-dried black raspberries in animals has inhibited esophageal, oral cavity, and colon carcinogenesis. This funding, which is in addition to the $1 million that Congresswoman Dave Hobson (R-OH) and Congresswoman Pryce secured for this project last year, will go to complete the study of the effect of this diet on humans.

·        $1.7 million for the Biomass to Energy project

Manures and other food processing agricultural or municipal biomass wastes can be a valuable energy resource. OSU has researched and developed genetically modified microbes which can decompose biomass in an anaerobic process that releases certain components, such as hydrogen and methane, which can then be used as fuels. These fuels can then be used in fuel cells (hydrogen) or in the production/distillation of ethanol (methane).  This joint request between Congresswoman Pryce and Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH) will go toward a large digester to study the production of bio-fuels. 

·        $250,000 for research into the Emerald Ash Borer

OSU and the Forest Service will use this money to test the resistance of different  species of Ash trees to the Emerald Ash Borer, immunize ash trees by cross pollination and develop treatments and other preventative methods that would reduce or eliminate the damage caused by, or the spread of, the Emerald Ash Borer.

·        $1 million for The Ohio State University’s Campus Partners Revitalization Initiative

These funds build on the $2.2 million which Congresswoman Pryce received for Campus Partners in the previous 3 years. Funding will be used to reverse a trend of urban decline in several older neighborhoods adjacent to OSU’s Columbus campus, encompassing the nation’s largest scattered Section 8 housing site. This project will include improving housing opportunities for local residents through the rehabilitation of existing housing   options; promoting public safety and reduction of crime; and improving the quality of life through improvements in education and community health outreach and advocacy.

·        $3.5 million for the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research

This funding, in addition to the $3 million which Congresswoman Pryce and Congressman Dave Hobson (R-OH) received from the FY04 Energy and Water Appropriations bill for the same group, will allow the Consortium (consisting of 36 leading US research universities, including OSU, and 23 agribusiness companies) to     continue its environmentally oriented research.

Congresswoman Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties.  She serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth-ranking member of House leadership.