SENS. SPECTER, CASEY ANNOUNCE FINAL APPROVAL OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND LABOR PROJECTS - US Fed News Service, Including US State News

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Republican Member Arlen Specter, R-Pa., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senators Arlen Specter, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Bob Casey, the junior Senator from Pennsylvania, announced today the full Congress has approved funding for several northwestern Pennsylvania health care, education and labor projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill.

'I am pleased that Congress has approved this important funding for northwestern Pennsylvania,' Senator Specter said. 'Health and education are our nation's greatest capital assets, and these projects are vital to ensuring quality health care and education for the area's residents.'

'This money is great news for northwestern Pennsylvania and I am pleased that the President has signed this funding into law,' said Senator Casey. 'I will continue working with Senator Specter to ensure residents of the area have access to quality health care and education.'

The Bill must now be signed by the President of the United States before funding is final.

Northwestern Pennsylvania projects in the bill include:

* $85,480 for Meadville Medical Center in Crawford County for equipment and construction of a cancer care center, including a CT scanner, chemotherapy bays, treatment rooms, physician offices, examination rooms, and waiting area.

* $85,480 for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Allegheny County for tests to advance potential submission of radiowave technology for FDA approval to initiate a clinical trial. This funding will benefit Erie-based inventor John Kanzius' non-invasive cancer treatment research.

* $85,480 for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in Erie County to support a computer forensics training program at its Western Pennsylvania High Tech Crime Training Center.

* $85,480 for Hamot Medical Center in Erie County for construction of the Women's Pavilion, including a neonatal center, birthing center, operating suites and family care suites.

* $85,480 for Kane Community Hospital in McKean County to upgrade the electronic health records system and to develop a cardiac rehabilitation program, involving exercise, education and counseling for patients.

* $85,480 for Sharon Regional Health System in Mercer County to purchase a Digital Mammography System for the Hermitage Outpatient Diagnostic Center.

* $85,480 for Thiel College in Mercer County to improve the technological infrastructure upgrades at the Langenheim Library.

* $85,480 for Potter County Human Services in Potter County for in-school, after school and community youth health programs that promote physical activity, healthy eating, team building, sportsmanship and leadership development.