JACKSON, MS – While strong competitors with healthy rivalries in NCAA athletics, independently-organized alumni and friends of Mississippi’s three largest research universities have joined forces to support the re-election of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in the June 24, 2014, Republican primary election runoff.
Mississippi’s choice for the U.S. Senate must continue to be Cochran, say the political action committees that support the advancement of The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and The University of Southern Mississippi. RedBlue PAC, Bully Bloc, and EaglePAC agree that Cochran can do more for Mississippi because he understands the value of a robust higher education system and has the experience necessary to best serve our state.
In a joint statement, the three groups said:
“Thad Cochran has a career track record of supporting Mississippi’s vital higher education institutions in a fair, balanced, and visionary manner. Time and time again, Thad has stepped up to help provide Mississippi students the opportunities they need to be nationally competitive for job opportunities.
“Thad Cochran’s record of supporting our universities speaks for itself. Thad has fought for research and development that places Mississippi on the cutting-edge of innovative industries like automobile manufacturing, alternative energy production, biofuels and other agribusiness concerns, and missile technology. Mississippi receives $1.5 billion a year in federal funding for secondary and higher education, with roughly an additional $240 million in federal resources supporting over 2,000 research projects at our institutions. Thad Cochran has helped create education opportunities and grow Mississippi’s economy.
“Lifesaving medical research at Ole Miss gives our families hope. Mississippi State is a global leader in agriculture, engineering and military vehicle design. Game-changing polymers developed and utilized in venues like the Pentagon have made Southern Miss a world leader in that exciting science. And our universities’ combined effort on coastal restoration and marine sciences keep Mississippi’s shores clean, our seafood fresh, and continues to help the entire Gulf Coast region recover from Hurricane Katrina.
“Most importantly, this university-driven research and development translates into real jobs through the commercialization of new technologies and consumer products. When it comes to the future of higher education and economic development, Thad Cochran can do more for Mississippi. We urge our fellow Rebels, Bulldogs and Golden Eagles to stand with the candidate that stands with us – vote for Thad Cochran on June 24, 2014.”
(RedBlue PAC, Bully Bloc, and Eagle PAC are independent organizations that are privately funded. No taxpayer funds are expended in their activities.)