Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) welcomed the community reinvestment reflected in the fiscal year 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill and announced the inclusion of $5.750 million in critical funding for crime prevention and local law enforcement efforts in Connecticut.  The CJS bill was approved by the full Appropriations Committee and will now be debated by the House, following passage there, the legislation will also need to be voted on by the Senate, approved by both chambers and signed by the President. 

“This funding sends a strong message that protecting our communities and our quality of life is a priority for this Congress. We are making the investments that will enhance and expand after school programs, help at-risk youth, as well as assist law enforcement in their efforts to prevent, respond to and solve crimes  I am pleased that we are providing critical resources to ensure Connecticut continues to be at the forefront of research on health, science and technology,” said DeLauro.

The legislation provides $25.4 billion for the Department of Justice –$2.3 billion above the President’s request; $8.7 billion for the Department of Commerce – $490 million above the President’s request; and $24.6 billion for Science – $154.8 million the President’s request – which includes $17.8 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

This means funding for such critical programs as:

·     Violence Against Women Act: $435 million – $155 million above the President’s request

·     Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS): $627 million – the President recommended eliminating the program

·     Sexual Assault Services Program: $15 million – the President did not provide funding

·     Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program: $550 million – the President proposed eliminating the program

·     Economic Development Administration: $282.8 million – the President’s request would have cut the program by $150 million

·     Manufacturing Extension Partnership: $89.6 million –$85.6 million above the President’s request

·     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): $4.3 billion – $380 million above the President’s request

·     National Science Foundation: $6.854 billion

The FY’09 Commerce-Justice-Science Bill included funding for the following initiatives in the 3^rd Congressional District:

Department of Commerce

Southern New England Seagrass Research and Restoration, $400,000: this funding through NOAA to support a large-scale seagrass research and restoration initiative on the health and presence of seagrass throughout Long Islands bays, including identifying causes of seagrass decline and solutions to restore and properly manage seagrass into the future.

Department of Justice Funding

West Haven Public Safety, $225,000: to prevent crime and resolve community problems through "Citizen and Police Problem Solving" style of policing, or Quality of Life Patrols, which will establish community partnerships, review and prioritize West Haven's neighborhoods' problems, and educate citizens on crime prevention, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, and anti-gang initiatives.

North Branford Emergency Simulcast System, $500,000: to purchase and install a public safety radio communications simulcast system, which will greatly enhance dispatching capabilities and eliminate several “dead zones” throughout the town.

Radio Communications Enhancement Project, $325,000: to increase local and regional interoperability through the purchase and installation of a Radio Tower , as well as replace the WWII dated backup generator for the Emergency Operations Communication Center . The tower will provide improved communication by decreasing interference among antennas and individual frequencies.

New Haven Police Department First Responder Technology Project, $1,000,000:

to provide a state of the art regional public safety network for first responders, including additional equipment, wireless cameras, shotspotter location technology, and infrastructure in order to expand the City of New Haven ’s fixed wireless network and to address public safety issues. 

Zero to Three Court Team, $300,000: for the development of a multidisciplinary Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers in New Haven .  Headed by a local judge and a child development specialist, the Court Team, will bring the science of early childhood development, skills and services to juvenile and family courts in an effort to make community-wide changes to the system and improve services to better support the needs of infants and toddlers involved in the child welfare system.

The Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science Cold Case Center , $600,000: to train and standardize the Evidence Response Teams of small to medium law enforcement agencies. The Evidence Response Team Training Center will provide law enforcement agencies with the most advanced technologies and state-of-the-art training in crime scene investigation and reconstruction. 

Automated Fingerprint Identification System, CT Dept of Public Safety, $800,000:

to update Connecticut ’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System to allow for instant identity checks, to improve the timeliness of applicant background check responses, and to comply with the National Fingerprint File requirements.

Breaking the Cycle of Behavioral Health Problems and Crime, UConn, $750,000: to support wider testing and dissemination of a University of Connecticut Health Center – developed intervention, “TARGET” (Trauma Affect Regulation: Guidelines for Education and Therapy) to prevent traumatized young adults from new or chronic involvement in the criminal justice system.

City of New Haven Re-entry Program , $350,000: for the development and implementation of a comprehensive prisoner reentry plan in New Haven , Connecticut . The City of New Haven will partner with community organizations on this effort.

Mystic Aquarium – The Immersion Presents After School Program, $200,000: to provide access to this after-school science and technology academic program for at-risk elementary and middle school kids.  This program partners with nearly 150 Boys and Girls Clubs across the country to provide access to this after-school program for elementary and middle school kids.

Vocational Education Enhancements for At-Risk Youth, $500,000: to allow the Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain to fully equip its new Vocational Education facility for at-risk youth, which will provide students with hands-on experience in automotive restoration, woodworking, culinary arts and environmental science education