Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today congratulating the University of Maryland for being selected as the new home of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-sponsored social and behavioral research center dedicated to reducing worldwide terrorism. The University today announced a $12-million, three-year grant to Maryland and its academic partners to establish the Center of Excellence for Behavioral and Social Research on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. It will join an elite network of university-based national research centers funded by the department.
"I cannot think of a better place to locate this new national research center than at the University of Maryland at College Park, one of the nation's most academically dynamic institutions of higher learning.
"Through this federal government-university partnership, the University of Maryland will serve the public by conducting critical research necessary to confront the threat of terrorism, while providing students, scientists and academics with a state-of-the-art facility and technology to improve our understanding of this issue.
"Our educational institutions have a great deal of talent and expertise that can enhance the government's efforts to improve our security. It is important that we take advantage of this expertise and harness the imagination and innovation of scholars and students, who can help identify additional ways to make the nation stronger and safer.
"I am proud that the University of Maryland will play a crucial part in the government's efforts to win the war on terror."