This is the first comprehensive reauthorization of the Department of Justice since 1982.  Within this legislation, there are many programs instrumental to the safety and well being of hard working men, women, and American families throughout our nation including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Prison System, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Violence Against Women Act. 

The Violence Against Women Act is landmark legislation first signed into law in 1994, aiming to curtail crimes often primarily directed toward women such as stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.  This legislation paved the way for women to not only leave mentally and physically abusive relationships, but also led to the development of programs designed to provide support for women who were victims of such crimes.  The Violence Against Women’s Act is the backbone in this nation’s effort to end domestic violence and sexual assault and the Justice Department Authorization renews vital programs which keep our women and children out of harm’s way and were set to expire this year. 

Additionally, the Justice Department Authorization modernizes this Act by including electronic communications into the definition of stalking in an effort to address the increasing occurrence of “cyberstalking,” which has become a prominent concern with the advancement and widespread use of the internet.  H.R. 3402 also authorizes $20 million per year for a program entitled Safe Havens which addresses the domestic violence and sexual assault of children and teenagers.

Many important law enforcement programs that keep our neighborhoods and communities safe were reauthorized.  Programs such as Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and Weed and Seed, which ensure that our children, neighborhoods, and communities are safe, received authorization for important funding.

As your Representative in the United States Congress, it is my duty as a public servant to ensure that our children, working families, and seniors are safe from harm and that the communities across the nation have the resources to serve, protect, and improve the quality of life for all Americans.

The projects in this grant will be funded through a remaining FY 2004 statewide earmark for Arkansas.  The funds will be used by several subrecipients of the Highway Department for the purchase of additional vehicles and for statewide bus-related facilities.