Press Release

ARCURI HELPS ONEIDA COUNTY FIGHT LEAD SCOURGE

Washington, DC -- In response to the City of Utica’s efforts to combat lead poisoning, U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) announced today that he is taking steps to provide additional federal resources to agencies tasked with reducing lead contamination in local communities.

“It is unconscionable that lead poisoning still haunts local neighborhoods – affecting children and their communities in countless negative ways,” said Arcuri. “The devastating effects lead poisoning has on young children must never be overlooked.  We have a responsibility to provide local communities with the resources to protect children and families from the harmful effects of lead.”

Arcuri voted for and the House recently passed legislation (H.R. 3074), which includes $130 million, $14 million more than the President’s request, for the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, through which the City is seeking funds.

“By providing additional funding for HUD’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program we are improving the likelihood of helping the City of Utica address lead poisoning and protect thousands of innocent children,” said Arcuri.

In addition, the City of Utica has applied for $1.965 million in federal funds through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction competitive grant program to conduct project Lead Safe Utica 2007. Lead Safe Utica 2007 will work to ensure affordable, lead-safe housing for Utica families with children younger than six, prevent childhood lead poisoning, and create an integrated and long-term program for a cost effective lead hazard reduction program. Arcuri recently sent a letter of support to HUD on behalf of the City’s grant application.

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