Schumer Statement on Presentation of $9.9 Million to President Greiner for Center for Bioinformatics

SCHUMER STATEMENT ON PRESENTATION OF $9.9 MILLION TO PRESIDENT GREINER FOR CENTER FOR BIOINFORMATICS
Schumer joins Rep. Thomas Reynolds in announcing federal funding secured this year for University at Buffalo

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined Rep. Thomas Reynolds in presenting outgoing University at Buffalo President William Greiner with a check of $9.9 million in federal funding secured this year for the Center for Bioinformatics. At the event, Schumer made the following statement:

"Today is a day to celebrate, although our celebration is bittersweet because Bill Greiner is leaving. President Greiner was the shining light and the guiding force behind so much at this university over the years, and to say he'll be missed is an understatement.

"But we're also energized today. Because one of President Greiner's legacies is - and will always be - the Center for Bioinformatics. And today we can say that the future is here.

"For years, Buffalo has quietly led the way in sophisticated computer technology. And for years we have been trying to turn that expertise into something grand for the City of Buffalo. And now we have. The Center for Bioinformatics is a living testament to the leadership role Buffalo plays in this emerging field.

"We have the most high-end hardware available and, more importantly, we have the most talented people in the world working right here.

"And the future will get even brighter still in the coming weeks and months and years.

"Mr. President, Merry Christmas. Inside that box is a check for $9.9 million.

"Because of the joint efforts of Senator Clinton and myself in the Senate and Congressmen Reynolds, Quinn, McHugh and Walsh in the House, we were able to get this done.

"In Congress, nothing gets done unless it's in a bipartisan way and with the consensus of several lawmakers. This was truly a team effort. I especially want to praise the efforts of Congressman Reynolds, who really did the heavy lifting on this in the House.

"Congress has already given final approval to this year's Defense Department appropriations bill, which included a $2.4 million boost for this center. We were able to secure $2 million in the energy and water bill, as well.

"And there will be even more money to come from the federal government this fiscal year. In addition to the $2.4 million in the Defense bill, and the $2 million in the energy and water bill, there is another $5.5 million pending in the VA-HUD spending bill that is part of the omnibus package that will hit the Senate next month.

"So the Bioinformatics Center would see another $9.9 million in federal funding this year alone.

"The Congressional delegation has made this our highest legislative priority for Buffalo so we're thrilled that the Center has become a reality and that needed federal funds are on the way.

"The Center uses advanced computational technologies to interpret vast amounts of data found through the Human Genome Project.

"By merging the expertise of academia and industry, the center will transform cutting edge biological discoveries and will fuse the University at Buffalo's skills and those of its partners in high-performance computing, high-end visualization, genomics, proteomics and bioimaging to advance health care science.

"As everyone knows, this Center will also be a huge asset to the Buffalo economy. It has the potential to employ hundreds, if not thousands of people in the area.

"And that is one of the understated benefits of this Center. Not only is it a great asset to the bio-technology field, but it is a great opportunity for the City of Buffalo and the people of Buffalo.

"I want to personally laud and thank Tom Reynolds for his outstanding work. He carried the water on this in the House and made today's good news possible.

"And President Greiner: Your vision and leadership have been a fixture and hallmark not only at the University, but in Buffalo as a whole. The news we announce today and the bright prospects for the future only exist because of your devotion to UB."