Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and others letter to John Murtha, August 10, 2001

CURT WELDON COMMITTEE ON . I ARMED SERVICES 1202) 225-201 1 COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE Congress of tfje Uniteb States Щои&г of &epre6entattoe6 ®Jagfjmgton, Ш 20515-3807 MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE August 10, 2001 The Honorable John Murtha Ranking Member National Security Appropriations Subcommittee H-149 Capitol Washington, D.C. .20515-0001 U . L. . . Dear Congreasi As you prepare to mark-up the FY2002 Defense Appropriations bill, we write to respectfully request your support for a research and development program critical to national security, which was originally submitted by Representative Weldon. Specifically, we are requesting a $20 million add to the Office of Naval Research , Biological Agent Sensor Research and Development program (PE# 0602114N) to develop small portable biological sensors through nanotechnology . As you know, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is involved with critical biotechnology research and development to support Navy war fighters . The development of Biological Diagnosis Aid for the war fighter in an expeditionary force is a high priority for ONR. Unfortunately, funding cuts and changes in funding priorities have impeded the advancement of this technology. With a $20 million add, the Navy will be able to strengthen warfighters performance and address the Fleet Commanders' Capability Issues (CCIs) . The unfunded CCI is for small, portable biological sensors that provide individual war-fighters the ability to sense low, sublethal concentrations of biological agents at long ranges and continue performance in combat. In addition to meeting a critical defense need, this additional funding will also support an important economic development initiative to foster nanotechnology research, development and commercialization in southeastern Pennsylvania. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) , a public/private economic development entity chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is leading this initiative with their effort to establish the Nanotechnology Institute, a collaborative partnership involving several academic institutions in the mid-Atlantic region. Due to an established partnership between the Nanotechnology Institute and the Office of Naval Research, those academic institutions participating in I STATIONERY PRINTED I : RECYCLED I