ROSEBUD - The Rosebud Sioux Tribe announced Thursday that $4 million was included for the Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration Center in the U.S. Senate's Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill. The bill was passed by the full Senate September 12, 2007.

"These funds will be used to advance the effort to establish a Native American advanced electronics technology center that will further state-of- the-art space and missile system electronics," said Rosebud Sioux Tribe's President Rodney M. Bordeaux.

Rosebud Economic Development Corporation, a Rosebud Sioux Tribal- owned business, is conducting this effort jointly with Radiance Technologies. The U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Technical Center's office is providing oversight for the Center.

The primary focus of this program continues to advance the state-of-the- art in space and missile defense system electronics by reducing the size, weight, and cost of electronic circuit cards and components, wire harnesses, and electronic cabling with special emphasis to reducing hazardous substances and materials to include employing lead-free components in micro-electronic products.

"We are pleased the Senate included these critical funds in its bill and we applaud Senator Johnson for his work in securing $4 million in a very challenging fiscal environment," Bordeaux added. "The Tribe will continue to work closely with our delegation to ensure this funding level is maintained throughout conference negotiations." Senator Thune also supported the funding request.

Bordeaux also congratulated Sen. Johnson on his return to the Senate after months of therapy to recover from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage and offered the Tribe's best wishes as he continues the recovery process.

The House of Representatives passed its bill August 5, 2007. Although Rep., Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., submitted a similar funding request, the House bill does not contain funding for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's project. The two bills will be reconciled, and a final one will be considered by each chamber.