Gus Bilirakis: “I speak in support of the Project Bioshield Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, we really learned about the real threat…”

“I speak in support of the Project Bioshield Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, we really learned about the real threat of terrorism and the importance of being adequately prepared for an attack. The possibility that our enemies might attack us with biological, chemical or radiological weapons still remains, unfortunately, a significant threat. During the last Congress, the Committee on Energy and Commerce worked together in a bipartisan fashion to produce the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act which became law in June of 2002. I was proud to have been a small part of this important effort. However, while our legislation has helped get critical resources out to the States and moved us closer to the reality of a more comprehensive strategic national stockpile, more still needs to be done. I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues and the Bush administration to develop legislation that would help make the vision of Project Bioshield a reality. This initiative is designed to speed the development and availability of medical countermeasures that will help us respond to any future terrorist attacks.”