This funding comes in response to letters sent by Rep. Andrews and the entire New Jersey Congressional delegation, the most recent of which was sent on April 22, 2003, urging the Department of Homeland Security to increase homeland security funding to the states to reimburse local and state governments for the significant expenditures associated with protecting potential governmental and civilian targets from the threat of a terror attack.

"In order to detect and prevent acts of terrorism, alleviating the need to respond and recover from terrorist-contrived tragedies, New Jersey must be given appropriate consideration for homeland security funding," said Rep. Andrews. "This year, New Jersey will spend over $107 million on homeland security. While this additional funding will help to offset those costs, my colleagues and I in the New Jersey Congressional delegation will continue to seek additional funding to help reduce the burden borne by our state to protect against another terror attack."

Rep. Andrews has also joined with Representatives Jim Saxton and Frank LoBiondo to ensure Governor McGreevey allocates South Jersey's fair share of this federal funding. Yesterday, the three Congressmen sent a letter to the Governor urging that he do everything in his power to provide a proportional share of this federal funding to offset South Jersey's expenditures associated with Homeland Security. Citing the existence of many potential targets including area bridges, oil refineries, chemical plants and the Salem Nuclear Power plant the three members of Congress made their case as to why South Jersey requires a substantial portion of the state allotment for homeland security preparedness.