Rep. Harris awarded Biosecurity Champion Award

Alliance for Biosecurity Honors Congressman Harris With Biosecurity Champion Award

The Alliance for Biosecurity is proud to present Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) 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 biosecurity threats.

“Public private partnerships allow government and industry to work together to ensure the country is prepared for potential biothreats,” said Chris Frech, Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs, Emergent BioSolutions and Co-Chair of the Alliance for Biosecurity. “Since the biosecurity industry does not have a natural commercial market for its product, it relies on predictable, consistent funding from government, along with its own investments, to maintain a robust medical countermeasures pipeline. We appreciate Congressman Harris’s ongoing efforts to enhance our preparedness for biological threats—both naturally occurring and manmade.”

A recent survey conducted by the Alliance for Biosecurity, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense and Trust for America’s Health showed that Americans are concerned about biosecurity risks; supported an increase in funding for preventative measures against biological, chemical and radiological threats; and are generally surprised to learn there is a funding shortfall. Congressman Harris’s support for improving the development of new vaccines and medicines for biosecurity threats directly addresses the American people’s concerns.

In presenting this award to Congressman Harris, the Alliance recognizes his commitment in championing an increase in the Special Reserve Fund for 2016 and leading the effort in the House of Representatives to increase funding for BARDA.

Congressman Harris is one of eight members to receive the 2016 Congressional Biosecurity Champion Award. The other honorees include Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC). In keeping with the innovative nature of the work of the members of the Alliance, the award is a unique one-of-a-kind design produced by a 3D printer.