WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2007 Defense Appropriations House/Senate conference report that includes funding secured by Representative Mike Honda (D-San Jose) on behalf of Silicon Valley’s Santa Clara University and San Jose State  University, and area businesses.

“This defense bill gives the federal government the necessary resources to continue to fight the war against terrorism and maintain a state of the art national defense,” said Rep. Honda.  “We will increase national security by allowing the military to continue leveraging technological advancements, many of which are developed in Silicon Valley.”

Following are appropriations that Rep. Honda secured for Silicon Valley-based Department of Defense programs. They total $15.5 million:

San Jose State University Materials Characterization and Metrology Center – $1 Million

The purpose of the Center is to be an enabler to the nanotechnology manufacturing industry, and to significantly jump-start nanotechnology manufacturing by providing training and making available shared diagnostics equipment to support the manufacturing industry.

Santa Clara University Thermal and Electronic Nanoscale Transport (TENT) Program – $1 Million

TENT will design, fabricate and test nanoscale thermal and electrical interconnect devices for micro-scale components that have low thermal and electrical contact resistance, ballistic conduction, and high mechanical strength sensor systems that are smaller, lighter, faster, less expensive, and more efficient.

Spyrus B-Secure Multimedia Digital Terminal – $1 Million

This technology provides cost-effective, worldwide secure communications between U.S. and allied forces, coalition partners, as well as interoperating with domestic mission-critical civilian infrastructure elements down to the first responders.

NetworkFab Advanced Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Jammer Research & Development Program - $1 Million

The program will develop a next generation IED jammer to protect American troops on the ground.

Splashnote Systems Advanced Collaboration Platform for Net Centric Command and Control - $1 Million

This project creates technologies that can enable warfighters to rapidly develop and deploy custom collaborative environments and applications that connect distributed teams over multiple heterogeneous devices and channels.   

Aoptix Technologies Adaptive Optics Lasercom – $2.5 Million

This project will focus upon closing the communications link between fixed ground sites and a moving airborne platform in a real dynamic operational environment.

Semiconductor Focus Center Research Program (FCRP) – $8 Million

FCRP is a joint Department of Defense-industry partnership to sponsor mid- to long-term basic research at 33 universities across the country.  This program is critical to virtually all aspects of national security; including precision weapons, satellite surveillance, and cryptography. Rep. Honda was joined by a number of his colleagues in requesting funding for this vital program.