OMAHA, NE – Representative Lee Terry (NE-02) today announced that law enforcement agents in Omaha and Douglas County would receive $422,938 through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG) program. The Byrne-JAG program provides vital federal support for drug and gang task forces nationwide, which are used primarily to combat methamphetamines in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District.
Upon notification of the grant, Sheriff Tim Dunning of the Douglas County Sheriff's Department stated, "Byrne-Jag grants are imperative for us and the communities we protect. We rely on this money to fund our metro area task forces that have been in place since the 1980's. With the onset of the meth epidemic, these task forces have become more strained every year. Without Byrne-JAG funds, communities would not be able to fight meth and we must maintain our comprehensive approach to this war. Congressman Terry's congressional leadership on this issue is sincerely appreciated."
“Every year is an up-hill battle to retain federal funding for Byrne-JAG,” Terry said. “For the last several years, I have worked diligently to successfully restore funding. I have already joined with colleagues on both sides of the congressional aisle to maintain funding for fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Previous efforts of the administration to zero out this funding have been short-sighted and are reflected in the serious drug and gang problem in communities across the country. It is a good day when the people that need this funding to keep our district safe receive this funding.”
Two weeks ago, Terry joined with Mark Kennedy (R-MN) in sending a strong message to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, urging him to provide robust funding to the Byrne-JAG program in the administration’s FY08 budget proposal. Eighty-three Members of Congress signed the bipartisan letter.
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