Whereas, the University of Rhode Island is the State’s public research university, and

Whereas, vibrant public research universities throughout the United States are demonstrably major economic engines within their states, and

Whereas, the University of Rhode Island is committed to enriching the lives of Rhode Islanders through its Land, Sea, and Urban Grant traditions of research and outreach to the public, and

Whereas, the University of Rhode Island has a long and distinguished history of research accomplishments in such fields as potato disease control, poultry disease control, turf grass breeding, aeronautical engineering, industrial engineering, underwater acoustics, fisheries science, textiles science, electronic engineering, pharmaceutical science and environmental science that have catalyzed economic growth in Rhode Island, the nation and the world, and

Whereas, the University of Rhode Island has a long and distinguished history of cooperative extension or outreach programs such as farm demonstrations, environmental protection, transportation and community planning, industrial pilot projects, teacher education, social science outreach, community health programs and artistic programs that have enriched the lives of all Rhode Islanders, and  

Whereas, the University of Rhode Island is well positioned to continue boosting Rhode Island’s economy in the areas of marine science and engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, forensic sciences, transportation systems and information sciences, and

Whereas, the 2003 Partnership for Prosperity Report commissioned by the University of Rhode Island Research Office concluded that the University of Rhode Island generates nearly five dollars in economic activity in the State for every dollar of State support, and

Whereas, the professors and professional researchers at the University of Rhode Island are extremely successful in the pursuit of federal funding for research, outreach and training projects that carries a requirement of non-federal matching funds,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate of the University of Rhode Island pledges its full support of An Act by The Rhode Island House of Representatives 2006 H-7092 by Representatives Naughton, Shanley, and Crowley that authorizes the appropriation of state funds as cash matching funds for federal research, extension and training grants, and

FURTHERMORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate of the University of Rhode Island respectfully requests the support of President, and the Board of Governors for Higher Education for 2006 H-7092 and respectfully urges passage by the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and the Rhode Island Senate and signing into law by Governor Donald L. Carcieri.