Today, the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center announced a new partnership that will pair students and faculty with engineers and scientists in order to research and develop equipment and resources for the men and women of our armed forces.

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, the only Massachusetts member on the House Armed Services Committee and top Democrat on the Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations, gave a keynote address at the event.

Tsongas has worked to secure federal support for the development of lightweight and gender-specific body armor for troops, working with Natick Soldier Systems Center to ensure they have the funding needed to produce and improve these vital soldier resources. Thanks to her efforts, the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act tripled the funding for body armor research and also designates for the first time body armor designed specifically for women.

This partnership is another example of Massachusetts’ rise as one of the nation’s premier technology innovation centers, specifically in the Third District where UML, other educational institutions and cutting edge companies are developing the next generation of technology in areas such as defense and clean energy.

Below please find Congresswoman Tsongas’ remarks as prepared for delivery.

I am honored to be here today for the formal announcement of the HEROES initiative. Some of the New England region’s finest R&D minds are based at Natick Soldier Systems Center and UMass Lowell, and I applaud this common-sense collaboration between the two entities, both of which I strongly support.

I commend Chancellor Meehan for this latest in a long line of achievements during his tenure at UMass Lowell. He has worked hard from day one to expand the University’s programs, infrastructure, and profile. During his lengthy service on the House Armed Services Committee, he, like myself, valued and fought for the unique capabilities of Natick Soldier Systems Center. Over this past year, Lieutenant Governor Murray and I have continued this important work of highlighting Natick’s unparalleled capability as the only installation of its kind in our nation which treats the soldier as a system. We have been privileged to work with Dr. Obusek, who has worked to expand Natick’s mission in some truly groundbreaking ways.

The indispensable role that Natick Soldier Systems plays in supporting our service personnel is on display on the front lines in Afghanistan and is instrumental in preparing soldiers for almost any environment they encounter.

The Army, working with all of the other services in a joint fashion, uses the 78 acre Natick campus to maximize the combat effectiveness of U.S. service members and to protect them from threats such as IED explosions, extreme temperatures, and other elements that they experience in harsh combat environments.

The important R&D work performed at Natick includes the essential role of continuing to improve the body armor of our servicemembers, an issue which has been one of my key priorities as a Member of the House Armed Service Committee. The prototype Improved Outer Tactical Vest they developed with PEO Soldier for female servicemembers, the first of its kind, was named one of the year’s best inventions by Time Magazine last year.

They are also working towards a 10% weight reduction of body armor systems, a critical issue due to the epidemic of returning servicemembers experiencing musculoskeletal injuries caused by loads in the field of up to 120 pounds.

Natick is also contributing to the Defense Department’s vital efforts to “go green” by developing shower recycling systems, more efficient fuel generators, and self-sustaining base camps.

For years now, Natick’s proximity to Massachusetts universities and businesses has created unrivaled regional efficiencies. The valuable initiative we are announcing will not only augment Natick’s mission today; it will also educate UMass Lowell students, the next generation of innovators who will go on to manage cutting edge programs at Natick and start DoD-funded small businesses of their own, supporting both the military and our regional economy.

In the months and years ahead, I look forward to hearing about the innovative breakthroughs which are made through collaborations in this creativity room we are in today.

At this time, I would like to recognize Lieutenant Governor Murray, who has worked tirelessly this past year to highlight the significance of Massachusetts’ military installations, and who I was honored to visit Natick with several months ago.