On the recordJune 2, 2015
I would like to thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this important amendment as well as Chairman Culberson. I thank them for working with us on this amendment. I know we have been working very hard to make sure that this is adequately funded and from the right sources. By fully funding the weather research and technology transfer that was authorized by my bill, H.R. 1561, this appropriations bill now reflects the House's will that NOAA prioritize activities that save lives and property. The funding will go to support critical work to increase the lead times that we receive for tornadoes. A lot of this critical work is being done at the University of Oklahoma. I have heard already that we were looking for more funding for some Cooperative Institutes, and that is what this is. This is of extreme importance to my State, as I have already lost constituents this year from tornadoes. It is my sincere belief that this appropriations bill now ensures that programs are funded that will eventually move us to a day where no one is killed in a tornado or other severe storm event. Again, I thank Chairman Culberson and Chairman Smith for their leadership on this issue. We need to adopt this amendment so that we can save lives and property, especially as it relates to my constituents in Oklahoma.
