WASHINGTON – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies (CJS) and the lead neuroscience research advocate in Congress, applauds the White House for bringing in Dr. Philip Rubin to lead the efforts of the federal Neuroscience Working Group.

Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) said during a House Appropriations CJS Subcommittee hearing that the establishment of the working group is in response to Fattah's efforts to make neuroscience research a higher priority across the federal government.

Legislation enacted last November to provide funding for OSTP included language authored by Fattah calling on the White House "to establish, through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), an interagency working group to coordinate Federal investments in neuroscience research."

Rubin starts his new role as the nation begins today to observe March as National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

"The establishment of the Neuroscience Working Group signifies the Administration's commitment to move forward with understanding the delicate intricacies of brain function and treatment," Fattah said. "This is good news for meeting the challenges of childhood development illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.

"I am confident that Dr. Rubin will lead the charge to coordinate the government's efforts on neuroscience research. This higher priority will ultimately lead to scientific breakthroughs which in turn will mean an increase in the quality of life for millions of Americans."

Dr. Rubin serves as the Chair of the National Academies Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences and is a Professor Adjunct at Yale University, Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology) at Yale's School of Medicine.