Lewiston, NY – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today announced Niagara University is poised to receive $550,000 to purchase equipment for the B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences. The funding, which has passed a key legislative hurdle and is positioned for approval by the House and Senate by the end of the year, will allow the campus to install modern science equipment allowing the University to continue the growth of their science departments and facilitate integrated and interdisciplinary discovery research.

“Niagara University’s commitment to its students is unparalleled,” said Slaughter, “and I’m pleased to provide this federal funding to Niagara University so they can continue their exemplary education in the sciences and prepare its students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Slaughter was joined by Niagara University President Reverend Joseph L. Levesque for today’s announcement.

“I have said many times that the B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences will radically alter the teaching and research environment on our campus,” said Father Levesque. “Thank you Congresswoman Slaughter for supporting this important initiative and, in doing so, bolstering Niagara University’s position as a premier 21^st century institution of higher learning.”

The  B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences will feature advanced research laboratories, faculty offices and classrooms for Niagara University’s 3,300 students. The $550,000 announced today will purchase essential scientific equipment and classroom technology for the state-of-the-art center. Construction is set to begin on the 46,000 square foot facility in May. The new Science Building is expected to have an immediate fiscal impact upon the Western New York region with an estimated 392 full time jobs created during construction and more than $42 million realized in indirect economic impact.

The funding was approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education in July.  This is a key hurdle and positions the project for funding when the measure is voted on by the full House and Senate.

NIAGARA FALLS- Today, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter announced that $16,500,000 in federal grant funding would be coming to Niagara Falls to revitalize the Niagara Falls Customhouse which will soon be known as the Niagara Falls International Railway Station. The funding comes from the Department of Transportation’s competitive TIGER grant program which was enacted as part of the stimulus bill.

"I'm delighted that this final $16.5 million has been awarded to the City of Niagara Falls because after many years of work on this project know that it will spur local economic development,” said Slaughter, who recently wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of the funding and has been New York’s leading advocate for high-speed rail stretching across Upstate New York. “More than 14 million tourists visit the Falls each year and to support this influx of tourists we need to provide safe, convenient, and fast travel options.  The new intermodal station will put passengers in the heart of the Falls and provide seamless links to other modes of transportation including trolley services.  More importantly, with this new station Niagara Falls will be prepared for the rollout of high-speed passenger rail service.”

Slaughter joins bipartisan group of lawmakers to urge Administration officials to disregard "misguided" recommendations from industry insiders

WASHINGTON – Today Rep. Louise Slaughter joined Reps. Chris Lee (NY-26), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Tim Holden (PA-17), Bob Inglis (SC-04), and Russ Carnahan (MO-03) and sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Randy Babbitt, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), urging them to adhere to the pilot training guidelines set forth in the long-overdue aviation safety reforms signed into law this past July (full text of the letter below). The bipartisan group of lawmakers sent the letter to the two leading transportation officials in response to a recent proposal put forward by the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee which would drastically cut the 1,500-hour minimum flight time requirement included in the law, allowing inadequately trained pilots in the cockpits of America’s commercial airplanes.

Rochester, NY – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Chair of the House Rules Committee, today voiced her strong support for a one-time $250 payment to Social Security beneficiaries in the wake of the Social Security Administration’s announcement today that there will be no automatic cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) in 2011.

“Security is a vital lifeline to so many Americans, including seniors and people living with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet right now,” said Slaughter.  “And with so many people still feeling the effects of this recession, it is important that we act swiftly to ensure that the lack of cost-of-living-adjustment will not jeopardize seniors’ ability to survive on their benefits.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this assistance quickly to those that need it most.”

Rochester, NY – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter today congratulated two local scientists who were awarded the nation’s highest honors for scientists, engineers and inventors.

Professor Esther M. Conwell of the University of Rochester was awarded the National Medal of Science, while Steven J. Sasson of Eastman Kodak Company was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

“All of Western New York should be proud of the work of Professor Conwell and Mr. Sasson,” said Slaughter.  “Their contributions to the fields of science and engineering have advanced our modern world, and show once again the ingenuity and skills that Western New York has to offer.  I congratulate Professor Conwell and Mr. Sasson and thank them for their important contributions to our country.”

More information on the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation along with comments from President Obama can be found here.