Extolling U-M’s record $1.62 billion in research expenditures for 2019, President Mark Schlissel told a Washington, D.C., audience March 5 that federal support for research is helping U-M advance the public good.

“This demonstrates that our faculty excel at performing groundbreaking research and winning competitive grants to support their work,” Schlissel said at the annual University of Michigan Congressional Breakfast.

Approximately 55 percent of U-M’s research funding comes from the federal government, and he urged lawmakers in attendance to continue to support strong funding.

Schlissel quoted former President Ronald Reagan by saying, “America has long been the world’s scientific leader. If we don’t explore, others will, and we’ll fall behind.”

Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, also lauded U-M research.

“Michigan is a world-class institution and its research capabilities are second to none,” he said, giving several examples of how work at U-M is benefiting his constituents.

Moolenaar also spoke about the need to make sure all students understand the basic values of America’s democracy, so that it will continue to sustain our nation.

“These ideals have made America a beacon of liberty for more than 200 years, but for them to continue into the future, we must take a phrase that Louis Elbel wrote in the greatest collegiate fight song of all-time and be ‘Champions of the West,’” he added.

In addition to Moolenaar, the event drew nearly 300 attendees, including Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn; Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph; Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township; Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit; and Dan Kildee, D-Flint, as well as Grace Meng, D-New York, and Greg Stanton, D-Arizona.

Proceeds from the breakfast help support the University of Michigan Club of Greater Washington’s scholarship efforts.