PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2929 PRINTER'S NO. 2984
No. 366 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY CORNELL, S. H. SMITH, VANCE AND E. Z. TAYLOR,
NOVEMBER 20, 2001
AS AMENDED, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DECEMBER 3, 2001
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Directing URGING the boards of directors of the regional <--
2 biotechnology research centers to make their top priority <--
3 GIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION TO INVESTMENTS AND BUSINESS <--
4 STRATEGIES THAT FACILITATE the creation and enhancement of
5 research and development of commercially useful products or
6 intellectual property to mitigate biological agents or
7 toxins.
8 WHEREAS, Additional steps must be taken to better prepare
9 Pennsylvania and the United States to respond to potential
10 bioterrorism attacks; and
11 WHEREAS, The threat of a biological attack, while still
12 remote, is increasing for a variety of reasons; and
13 WHEREAS, Coordination of bioterrorism research and response <--
14 DEVELOPMENT must be improved; and <--
15 WHEREAS, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PENNSYLVANIANS AND THE <--
16 NATION WILL BE IMPROVED THROUGH A MORE COORDINATED RESEARCH AND
17 DEVELOPMENT EFFORT FOR BIOTERRORISM RESPONSE PRODUCTS; AND
18 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania companies are national leaders in the
19 development of new vaccines and treatments; and
20 WHEREAS, The General Assembly has established a funding
1 formula for regional biotechnology research centers under the
2 act of June 26, 2001 (P.L.755, No.77), known as the Tobacco
3 Settlement Act; and
4 WHEREAS, THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ACT <--
5 ARE TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PENNSYLVANIANS; AND
6 WHEREAS, SINCE BIOTERRORISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN IN
7 THIS COMMONWEALTH, THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTERRORISM RESPONSE
8 PRODUCTS SHOULD BE GIVEN EVERY CONSIDERATION AND PRIORITY; AND
9 WHEREAS, Regional biotechnology research centers are in a
10 unique position to attract venture capital for the development
11 of high-quality and commercially useful products or intellectual
12 property to combat bioterrorism; and
13 WHEREAS, The board of directors of each regional
14 biotechnology research center is to establish research
15 priorities and be evaluated annually by the Department of Health
16 and the Department of Community and Economic Development; and
17 WHEREAS, A top priority for biotechnology research and
18 development is providing bioterrorism response products and
19 procedures for citizens of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
20 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
21 direct the regional biotechnology research centers to make a <--
22 priority the establishment of a bioterrorism research effort;
23 URGE REGIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTERS TO GIVE PRIORITY <--
24 CONSIDERATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUSINESS PLANS,
25 INVESTMENTS AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES THAT FACILITATE THE
26 DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTERRORISM RESPONSE PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES;
27 and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the centers prioritize their funding from the
29 Commonwealth and from other sources to further this end; and be
30 it further
20010H0366R2984 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
2 the board of directors of each regional biotechnology research
3 center operating in this Commonwealth through the provision of
4 tobacco settlement funds.
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