Foster Fights for Fermi Funding

Press Release

Foster Fights for Fermi Funding

Acting on his promise to the voters that he would get to work on solving problems, Representative Bill Foster took action today by appealing to Speaker Pelosi and Appropriations Chairman David Obey to include funding for Fermi and Argonne National Laboratories in the upcoming supplemental bill to be considered in Congress.

"These budget cuts have been particularly hard in Illinois, where the future of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is now in jeopardy. In addition to significant layoffs, Fermilab has been forced to furlough all of its employees, and, most painfully, all investment for its future programs has been eliminated," Foster wrote.

Foster also pointed out the funding cuts will adversely affect neighboring Argonne National Laboratory and science programs across the country.

"Nearby, Argonne National Laboratory will also be forced to lay off scientists and engineers, and to reduce by 20 to 25 percent the operation of its Advanced Photon Source, the most powerful X-ray research facility in the Western Hemisphere. And this is just the impact on scientists, engineers, and labs in my home state of Illinois; those in many other states have been adversely impacted as well," he wrote.

Foster also mentioned the need for America to remain competitive in the world when it comes to advanced research and basic science, critical components to a vibrant economy.

"In order to remain competitive, our nation must continue to lead in the scientific arena. … As America is increasingly forced to import top scientific talent from abroad, we must act now to secure the future for the next generation of American scientists and innovators," Foster wrote.

Congressman Foster spent 22 years at Fermi National Laboratory as a scientist and has first-hand knowledge of the importance of such funding to not only American competitiveness, but to the local economy in the Fox Valley.

"With families struggling to pay for the cost of health care and gasoline in an increasingly grim economy, the Fox Valley will be hard pressed to sustain and economic blow like this. That's why I'm taking action now by appealing directly to the Speaker and the Appropriations chair," he said.

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