FUNDING FOR DISTRICT 17 PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel voted for legislation promoting two of our nation’s top priorities – fighting crime and spurring scientific research and innovation.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill invests in programs to help local and state governments fight crime, and provides funds for research and development programs to facilitate scientific innovation and discovery. The bill also eliminates 11 programs and cuts funding to 13 others in order to pay for higher-priority programs.

On a local level, the bill contains funding for the following projects relating to Congressman’s Engel’s 17th District:

* $300,000 in appropriations funding for the Yonkers Westside Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) to aid the Yonkers Police Department in cracking down on gang activity.
* $350,000 for the Bronx Cluster of Settlement Houses for development programs, delinquency prevention services and other needs.
* $200,000 for the City Parks Foundation for free programming in parks for all New Yorkers.
* $1,500,000 for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) to prevent HIV in at-risk youth with the ultimate goal of decreasing rates of infection among youth in New York City.
* $100,000 for John Jay College of Criminal Justice to study the re-entry of former inmates into society.

“This legislation will help our local police departments and governments better keep our streets safe and our hometowns secure,” said Rep. Engel. “With this bill, along with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year, we will be able to hire an additional 7,000 police officers nationwide for our communities.”

In the areas of justice and crime-prevention, the legislation:

* Significantly increases funding for the FBI and addresses the growing threat of cyber crime and financial fraud.
* Invests heavily in protecting our borders, providing $2 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration to combat drug trafficking and enhance resources to investigate, disrupt and dismantle major Mexican drug cartels.
* Provides additional funding for the prosecution of violent crimes against women and strengthens services for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
* Invests $1.1 billion in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to reduce violent crime and combat drug trafficking along the southwest border.

The bill also makes significant investments in scientific research and innovation. Specifically, the legislation:

* Helps our students succeed in a global job market by investing in science, technology, engineering and math education.
* Renews our commitment to reduce global climate change with funding for research.
* Invests $6.9 billion in the National Science Foundation for the most promising scientific research and innovation.

“America’s success has always depended on our ability to innovate,” said Rep. Engel. “To compete in a new global economy, we must support scientific research, discovery and education at every level. As a former teacher, I’m proud to say that this bill makes historic investments to encourage education and lead to such scientific breakthroughs.”

This action was another step in a long process. The full Senate is also working on their version of the bill, and the differences between the two bills will need to be ironed out. “I remain hopeful the funding contained in this measure for the 17th District of New York, will remain in the final version, and I am working with my colleagues to ensure it is,” added Rep. Engel.