Bill Summary
The resolution is acknowledging and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), which was established by President Richard Nixon in 1971. The NCTR is a research institution under the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responsible for determining safe levels of substances and protecting consumers from toxic chemicals, drugs, and other agents. The resolution highlights the importance of the NCTR in overseeing the safety of food, drugs, cosmetics, and other consumer goods, and its economic impact in the local, state, and national levels. It also recognizes the strong partnership between the NCTR and the state of Arkansas and the important role of the NCTR in providing scientific advice and training to researchers. The resolution emphasizes the need for continued support for the NCTR to maintain its contributions and benefits to the state and the nation.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could lead to increased funding for the NCTR, which could potentially create more jobs and boost the local economy in Arkansas. This could affect individuals by providing them with more employment opportunities and potentially increasing their income.
2. The NCTR's focus on providing scientific proof of consumer safety could lead to increased regulations and safety measures for food, drugs, and other products. This could affect individuals by potentially increasing the safety of the products they consume.
3. The legislation highlights the NCTR's role in responding to emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This could affect individuals by providing them with access to critical testing equipment and potentially improving their health and well-being during such crises.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 531 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 531
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Center for
Toxicological Research.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 13, 2021
Mr. Westerman (for himself, Mr. Hill, Mr. Womack, and Mr. Crawford)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Center for
Toxicological Research.
Whereas, in 1971, President Richard Nixon established the National Center for
Toxicological Research (NCTR) in Jefferson, Arkansas, as a part of the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide scientific
proof that United States consumers are protected from toxic chemicals,
drugs, and other agents and otherwise determine safe levels of
substances when appropriate;
Whereas the FDA is responsible for regulating the Nation's domestically produced
and imported food, cosmetics, drugs, vaccines, blood, biologics, medical
devices, radiation-emitting products, animal and veterinary products,
and tobacco products, as well as overseeing the safety of every American
life and more than $1 trillion worth of consumer goods, which are
estimated to include $466 billion in food sales, $275 billion in drugs,
$60 billion in cosmetics, and $18 billion in vitamin supplements;
Whereas the NCTR is a research institution with more than one million square
feet of facilities, with 123 laboratories across 30 buildings in
Jefferson, Arkansas, with 680 employees who reside in 17 counties across
Arkansas, and contributes approximately $70 million to the local, State,
and national economies, including investments of approximately $10
million annually via construction, maintenance, and renovation projects
that stimulate the local economy;
Whereas, in 2011, the FDA and the State of Arkansas composed a framework for a
formal working relationship to foster stronger partnerships, leverage
vital resources, and operate collaboratively to promote efficiency that
has been continually renewed and supported by both parties;
Whereas the NCTR has a long history of providing scientific advice and training
to researchers in government, academia, and industry at local, State,
national, and international levels, exemplified by training Ph.D.
candidates and other researchers from Arkansas universities,
collaborating with Arkansas university researchers, and providing
millions of dollars in funding for Arkansas university research;
Whereas the mutual benefits between the NCTR and the State of Arkansas can only
continue if the NCTR remains robustly supported by the Federal
Government;
Whereas the benefits of the NCTR were heightened during the COVID-19 emergency
when the Director of the NCTR, Dr. William Slikker, worked with the
State to rapidly provide critical COVID-19 testing equipment to the
Arkansas Department of Health; and
Whereas the NCTR will hold a 50th anniversary celebration on August 11, 2021, in
Jefferson, Arkansas: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives commemorates the 50th
anniversary of the National Center for Toxicological Research and
recognizes the significance of its contributions and its relationship
with the State of Arkansas.
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