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House
Resolution 1633
By:
Representatives McKillip of the
115th
and Heard of the
114th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
the proposal for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and urging the
Governor to continue his efforts in support of said project; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the U.S. livestock industry is among the most economically viable in the world,
largely as a result of the excellent health of our livestock; and
WHEREAS,
with increasing global trade, U.S. agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to the
introduction of diseases that could severely disrupt our economic viability;
and
WHEREAS,
a national research facility has been proposed to protect our food supply
against foreign diseases and animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans
that might be introduced intentionally or by accident; and
WHEREAS,
it is essential that our nation have a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to
biological and agricultural defense to replace the aging Plum Island facility;
and
WHEREAS,
the proposed $450 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) would
provide as many as 1,500 construction jobs, employ between 250 and 350 permanent
full-time research scientists and support workers, have an estimated economic
impact in Georgia of up to $1.5 billion over the next 20 years, and serve as a
magnet for clean, knowledge based jobs needed in northeast Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
NBAF´s responsibilities would include research into animal diseases foreign
to the United States and the transmission of zoonotic diseases between animals
and humans, as well as development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics
and the safeguarding of the American food supply; and
WHEREAS,
a site in Athens on the campus of the University of Georgia has been selected as
one of the five finalists for the possible location of NBAF;
and
WHEREAS, the agriculture and infectious disease research capabilities at UGA; its collaborations with Georgia´s other research universities, federal agencies, and industries; and the availability of a biosciences workforce in Athens identify the area as an ideal location; and
WHEREAS, the agriculture and infectious disease research capabilities at UGA; its collaborations with Georgia´s other research universities, federal agencies, and industries; and the availability of a biosciences workforce in Athens identify the area as an ideal location; and
WHEREAS,
local and state government, business leaders, and community leaders have
expressed their support for the location of NBAF in this area; and
WHEREAS,
the placement of NBAF in this state would cement Georgia´s role as a
recognized world leader in the highly competitive field.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the Governor to continue his efforts in support of the National
Bio and Agro-Defense Facility for Georgia and express their support of his
efforts.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Governor
and to each member of the Georgia congressional delegation.