BACKGROUND: Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) will join Maureen and Richard Kanka and the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation to announce the 2005 federal law enforcement dollars allocation to enhance the Check ’Em Out Program, which helps youth recreational sports leagues pay for background checks on coaches and other personnel.

The earmark, which was created by Smith in 2004, will allocate $147,996 in FY2005 to the Foundation.  The money was recently officially released to the foundation from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Check ’Em Out Program helps sports leagues pay for half the cost of each $36 FBI/State Police background check in an effort to further protect our children from lurking predators.  The 2005 federal allocation will enable the foundation to further expand the program to municipalities in New Jersey that have adopted ordinances mandating such checks.

Who:  Representative Chris Smith (NJ-04), Maureen and Richard Kanka of
           the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation.

What: Will announce federal funding for the “Check ‘Em Out Program”

When: Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Where:  Megan Nicole Kanka Memorial Park 
              (across the Street from 32 Barbara Lee Drive)