(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today will vote for the $53.8 billion Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008, H.R. 3093. The bill provides $2.3 billion more than the president requested to fund the Departments of Commerce and Justice and certain science and related agencies. A House-Senate conference committee must still approve this funding, once the legislation has been passed by the Senate. 
 
“I am delighted to announce that the bill included funding for several Rhode Island projects aimed at keeping our neighborhoods safe and thriving,” said Langevin. “From the Nonviolence Institute and after school programs working with our youth to strengthening our statewide first responder communications network – all this funding will go to improving the communities we live in. I will continue to advocate for these projects as the process continues.”

Included in the bill are four programs championed by Langevin.

The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence is expected to receive $300,000 to continue operating the Nonviolence Streetworkers Program, which reaches out to “unattached” youth at high risk of joining gangs or committing violent offenses.  The primary goal of this program is to reconnect these youth with traditional safety nets by serving as neutral advocates and mentors.  This funding was also supported by Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

The Providence After School Alliance, in a joint venture with the Education Partnership, is expected to receive $200,000 for Providence After-School Programs. This request will help to create five “AfterZones” in needy communities that provide after school programs to 200-300 middle school students. This funding was also supported by Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

The Narragansett Police Department is expected to receive $200,000 for Narragansett Interoperable Communication – a statewide safety communications network.  Narragansett has been working with a number of public and private partners, including RIPTA, DOT, and the State Police.

The City of Providence is expected to receive $100,000 for Providence Interoperability.  This funding will allow Providence to purchase necessary radios, antennas and caches to equip Providence’s first responders and further deploy the system.

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