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Texas university to work on terrorism information and law program | 09.22.2006 | 08:07:07 | Views: 5645 | ID: September 22 '06: The Associated Press reported Friday that a $1 million grant from the federal government will be given to the St. Mary's University Center for Terrorism Law for independent research. A statement from the university said however, that the final proposal has still to be submitted "before funds can be received or awarded by" the Department of Defense and the Air Force. The money would be used by the university as an "independent information gathering initiative to compile and study all the various State legislation that has been enacted (particularly since 9/11) related to how various State governments have chosen to balance the issue of increased security concerns and the protection of civil liberties," the university's website read. The AP reported that the Air Force's statement said the university would work toward assisting "government employees (and the Air Force) in safeguarding critical infrastructure and information systems while also assuring the fullest level of public access to information." Some privacy and civil liberties advocates had protested the money and the program, however Jeffrey Addicott, the author of the grant and the director of the Terrorism Law center told the AP, "It is a very hot button issue, and I understand how people get emotional. ... I am glad the proposal is out and everyone can see exactly what is going on." Additionally, the university said on its website that the pending proposal would include "a recommendation to host a national conference to digest and discuss the body of information collected with a variety of experts in both public and private sectors. If model legislation were to be proposed, it would be a result of the outcome and dialogue at the national conference."
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