Washington, DC – The Alliance for Biosecurity has presented Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) with the Congressional Biosecurity Champion Award. The award acknowledges the leadership and actions taken by members of Congress to improve U.S. national health security and preparedness for biological threats.
“Strengthening America’s biosecurity takes the public and private sectors working closely together. That’s why I’ve been fighting to fully and consistently fund the federal government’s programs to identify bio threats and develop countermeasures,” said Whitehouse. “I am proud to receive this award and will continue my work to protect the American people.”
“A critical part of responding to health security threats – whether naturally occurring or manmade – is having vaccines and medicines available quickly to protect public health and prevent an outbreak from becoming a pandemic,” said Chris Frech, Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs, Emergent BioSolutions and Co-Chair of the Alliance for Biosecurity. “Public private partnerships funded through BARDA and the BioShield Special Reserve Fund are our best chance of success and we thank Senator Whitehouse for his leadership in securing funding for these national security programs at the Department of Health and Human Services. The use of chemical weapons in Syria and the Zika and Ebola outbreaks demonstrate the need for vigilant preparedness efforts.”
Americans are concerned about biosecurity risks and a survey conducted by the Alliance for Biosecurity, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense and Trust for America’s Health illustrates support for an increase in funding for preventative measures against biological, chemical, and radiological threats.
In presenting the award to Senator Whitehouse, the Alliance recognizes his sustained advocacy for increased funding for medical countermeasures and support for the medical countermeasure provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act.
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