Bob Kerrey: “I rise today to support the National Science Foundation plant genome initiative that is funded in the VA/ HUD…”

“I rise today to support the National Science Foundation plant genome initiative that is funded in the VA/ HUD, Independent Agencies appropriations bill. I want to commend Senator Bond, chairman of the appropriations subcommittee, for his leadership in developing this initiative. This project will be funded with new money and will not affect current NSF programs. The plant genome initiative, as included in the bill, is an expansion of the current, NSF Arabidopsis genome project to map and sequence the Arabidopsis genome. The plant genome initiative will advance the current Arabidopsis project and will move us beyond the current programs to more economically significant crops, such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice. To compete in the global market, U.S. agriculture must continually strive to efficiently and economically improve production capabilities--such as combating serious threats from disease, pests, and climate changes--without harming the environment. The plant genome initiative will provide us the information necessary to significantly improve the environment and reduce crop and livestock production costs at the same time. It is a win-win project for producers, for consumers, and for the environment. This project will give us the basic, fundamental knowledge necessary to ensure that our consumers continue to receive an abundant supply of high quality, wholesome food at reasonable prices.”