Representative John Spratt, Proudly serving the People of the 5th District of South Carolina image of Capitol

News Release

10/16/08
 
President Signs Spratt’s Bill to Address Funding Shortfall in Programs at National Advocacy Center in Columbia
 

WASHINGTON – President Bush on Wednesday signed a bill to address a funding shortfall in training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center (NAC) in Columbia.  The bill, H.R. 6083, was introduced by U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC).

“This bill is an important step toward ensuring that state and local prosecutors from across the country can have the training they need to be skilled, effective, more professional prosecutors,” Spratt said.  “I am pleased the President signed it.”

The NAC is a joint venture between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and is located on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  The facility was created specifically to train federal, state, and local prosecutors in advocacy skills and management. Since 1997, 22,000 prosecutors from across the country have benefited from the program, making it a vital resource for the professional education of America’s prosecutors.

According the Spratt, the NAC has primarily operated on congressionally directed appropriations, and Congress has consistently ensured that support is available to the NDAA for services at the NAC.  However, Spratt said the year-by-year funding has led to uncertainty in the center’s budgeting and operations, and a cut in funding has jeopardized future training programs. “Classes have been canceled and educators laid off – all evidence of the impact unstable funding has had on programs and the NAC’s ability to continue fulfilling its mission,” Spratt said.

Spratt’s bill will address the funding uncertainty and shortfall by authorizing $4.75 million each year over five years (FY09-FY12) for a Justice Department grant program to support training for state and local prosecutors. This training has historically been conducted at the NAC.

“The classes and other programs at the NAC seek to strengthen a prosecutor’s advocacy skills by offering a wide range of specialized subjects, from child abuse to gang crime to cyber crime and identity theft.  These programs are worthy of funding,” Spratt said.

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