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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2007

Contact:
Caroline Burns
(202) 225-3631

House Takes Another Step Toward Funding 15 Second District Projects
$1m for local programs, many to help at-risk youth

Washington, D.C. Congressman Sanford Bishop, a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill, passed last night by the full House of Representatives, included $1,000,000 for a number of critically important projects throughout the Second Congressional District of Georgia.

The appropriations bill funds at $50.3 billion the Departments of Commerce and Justice, as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and related agencies. Notably, this year’s bill aims to help law enforcement at the state and local level by increasing State and Local Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention Grants to $334 million above FY 2007 levels. The boost in funding follows reports by the FBI that violent crime has been on the rise during 2005 and 2006.

“I am glad to have been part of again helping out these organizations, many of which help at-risk youth by giving them a place to go after school and offering services otherwise not available to them, “ said Bishop.

“Furthermore, I am very appreciative that the Committee recognized the need to restore funding for state and local law enforcement grants. Just as we support the needs of our military personnel abroad, it is equally important that we protect our interests here at home by funding local and federal law enforcement officials with the same level of commitment and passion.”
The House and Senate versions of the Commerce, Justice and Science bill will be considered by a conference committee sometime later this year.

 

Projects included in the bill are:

• Liberty Theater, Columbus, GA – After school program for at-risk children ($250,000).

• City of Lumpkin, Stewart County, GA - After school program for disadvantaged and at-risk children ($100,000). 

• Muscogee County Marshall's Office, Columbus, GA - The Junior Marshall Program is a mentoring program designed to assist students in the areas of attitude, behavior, and discipline ($125,000). 

• Building Toward Wellness Community Coalition, Inc., Columbus, GA - After school and summer tutorial program to promote the overall enhancement of higher order thinking skills of the program’s at risk youth participants ($100,000).

• Amar Civic Club, Reynolds, GA - To provide tutoring and related after-school activities for high school students in Taylor County and surrounding counties ($25,000).
• The City of Colquitt Police Department, Colquitt, GA - To install a 24-hour monitoring system capable of the constant recording of three highly occupied areas of the city ($50,000).

• Dawson Public Safety Department, Dawson, GA - To continue the Youth Advocacy Program or CINC (Children Interested In Change) program, which is geared toward reducing drop-outs, juvenile crime, and building positive self-esteem in local youths ($25,000). 

• Urban League of Greater Columbus, Inc., Columbus, GA – Provides funding for a Youth Advocacy/ Education and Employment for early intervention/prevention activities to reduce the number of males/females who fall victim to negative influences and behaviors; provide opportunities to youth to enhance health, social, educational, and employment levels ($25,000). 

• Twin Cities Youth Services, Columbus, GA – To provide a safe haven for orphaned and needy children, including residential treatment for girls who have been sexually abused ($25,000). 

• James L. Barnes Community Development Center, Dawson, GA – To fund after school program for troubled and at-risk minority teens from low-income rural areas ($25,000).
 
• Brooks County Board of Commissioners, Quitman, GA – To fund an after school recreational program for at-risk teenagers  ($25,000).

• Life Transformation Ministry, Inc., Americus, GA – Provides funding for at risk youth after school tutorial program ($25,000). 

• Communities in School of Decatur County, Bainbridge, GA – To rally community support and deliver resources and programs into schools to help youth learn, stay in school and prepare for life ($25,000). 

• A.J. McClung YMCA of Metro Columbus, Columbus, GA – To help students at Marshall Middle School to improve their academic and behavior in and out of school ($25,000). 

• Dooly County Family Resource Center, Vienna, GA - After school program.  ($150,000).