In October 1986, the federal government was on the verge of shutting down due to wrangling over the budget. When the wrangling was over, one of The University of Mississippi's shining symbols of scientific achievement rose out of the ashes of the disagreement. Legislation to keep the federal government running also called for the creation of NCPA "to conduct and transfer scientific research into useable technology for government and commercial applications." Initially, $9.7 million was appropriated for construction and support funds, and $1.8 million was made available for equipment. This congressional act recognized the national prominence achieved by the acoustics group in the UM Department of Physics and Astronomy.

At the same time, it set a precedent for additional national research centers at The University of Mississippi. When the National Center for Physical Acoustics was dedicated on October 19, 1990, its name was changed to the Jamie L. Whitten National Center for Physical Acoustics to recognize Congressman Whitten's 53 years of service as representative from Mississippi's 1st Congressional District.