Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced today that the House approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill.  Representative Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he included funding for statewide and local programs in this year’s bill.

Representative Cramer secured $500,000 in the CJS bill for the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) to help continue operations of its Nano and Micro Devices Laboratory.  Representative Cramer also provided $500,000 for the laboratory in the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

“North Alabama must stay on the forefront of developing state-of-the-art technology,” said Cramer.  “This funding will enable students and researchers at UAH to gain a better understanding of how the next generation of sensors can be reduced in size and adapted to working in harsh environments.  This research will provide vital information to Marshall and the entire space community as they continue to implement the Agency’s Space Exploration plan.”

Representative Cramer also included $250,000 for the Alabama Statewide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping Initiative.  This funding will support the state’s efforts to produce a high resolution and large scale geospatial database of Alabama.  Representative Cramer also secured funding for the GIS Mapping Initiative in the FY 2006 Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations bill.

“Once completed, a GIS Map of Alabama will provide up-to-date and useful information for disaster relief, economic development, and transportation planning for our state and local governments.” said Cramer.  “This information will help ensure that we are prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently during natural disasters and emergencies.”

Representative Cramer also secured $250,000 for the National Children Advocacy Center (NCAC) to support comprehensive services for child abuse victims in North Alabama.

In addition to the funding Cramer included for North Alabama, the CJS Appropriations Bill also funds national initiatives that benefit North Alabama programs.  The CJS Appropriations bill provided $105 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.  The MEP program funds organizations, such as the Alabama Technology Network (ATN), that provide manufacturing companies with critical technical and business assistance.  There are sixteen ATNs in Alabama, including one at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, one at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and one at Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville.