FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2001

LARSON ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR BUSHNELL IN LABOR-HHS APPROPRIATIONS BILL PASSED BY HOUSE TODAY

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced today that the Labor-Heath and Human Services-Education appropriations bill, H.R. 3061, contains $440,000 in funding for the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Education program. The funding for the Bushnell will be used to expand the Arts in Education program. The "PARTNERS" program (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools) works to strengthen language arts skills and multicultural understanding for over 5,000 students in Greater Hartford area schools. Additionally, the legislation funds many critical elements of the nation's public education system.

Larson stated: "I am very pleased that this funding for the Bushnell has been included in the Labor-HHS bill. The PARTNERS program represents a great cultural and educational resource for young people in the Capitol Region and provides them with valuable language skills and a significant understanding of other cultures. As one of the cultural and educational cornerstones in the City of Hartford, as well as the state and region, the Bushnell is most deserving of support."

The Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill also includes funding for the following important programs:

• $3.4 billion increase for the President's elementary and secondary education initiatives authorized in H.R.1. Total funding for Elementary and Secondary Education programs is $29.6 billion.

• Title I - Program is funded at $10.35 billion, $1.6 billion over the budget request, to provide aid to states and school districts to help educationally disadvantaged children achieve the same high state academic performance standards as all other students.

• Head Start is increased $338 million over last year's level and $213 million over the budget request, bringing total fiscal year 2002 funding to $6.538 billion.

• $2 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), $300 million above the President's request and the highest amount provided in a single bill.

• Job Corps is funded at $1.459 billion, $60 million more than last year. Dislocated Worker Assistance is funded at $1.5 billion.

• Maximum Pell Grants are increased $150 over the President's request and $250 over fiscal year 2001, bringing the maximum award to $4000, the highest maximum grant in the program's history.

• TRIO Program for minority and disadvantaged students is increased $72 million over last year and $22 million over the President's request bringing total fiscal year 2002 funding to $802 million.

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