Funding Included in House Defense Appropriations bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff secured funding for three important national security efforts in this year's House Defense Appropriations bill, H.R. 2658.
"I am pleased to announce federal funding for CALSTART, Cyrano Sciences and UCLA efforts to further develop technologies to help secure our nation, improve the environment and enable troops to better communicate with their loved ones," Rep. Schiff said today.
Pasadena's Cyrano Sciences will receive $2.5 million to develop a project that will provide the Army with sensor, signal, and information processing technology for advanced reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition to locate, identify, and mitigate the consequences of a chemical or biological weapon attack.
Pasadena's CALSTART will receive $6 million for a program to study the effectiveness of the use of hybrid trucks. The funding will also be used to develop a center for Dual-Use Advanced Transportation Technologies. The center will be the focal point for the development of joint programs and communication between the Department of Defense and numerous western based companies and public agencies involved in the development and deployment of advanced clean fuel vehicles.
University of California Los Angeles will receive a $3 million appropriation to study the impact of the Internet and wireless technology on minimizing the effects of distance and separation associated with military life. An understanding of those effects will enable the Department of Defense to develop effective policies and programs to improve soldier-to-family and friends communication. Schiff and other members of the California delegation requested the $3 million study.
The House Defense Appropriations bill now awaits a Conference Committee hearing so the legislation can be reconciled and combined with the Senate Defense Appropriations bill.
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.