For Immediate Release:

Friday, July 25, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray announced that four Seattle-area nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $295,313 in Fiscal Year 2008 Homeland Security grants.  The grants help groups that have been attacked, or are potential terrorist targets, to update and improve security measures. 

The Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security grants will be divided among the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai.  A member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray helped secure funding for this critical program. 

“Sadly, Washington state residents know all too well the very real threats that some groups face from terrorism here at home,” Senator Murray said.  “The tragedy at the Jewish Federation in 2006 was a terrible reminder that we must all remain vigilant.  I’m committed to helping our communities get the resources they need to stay secure and continue to serve the public.”

Nonprofit Security Grants are awarded to entities that have had prior threats or attacks by a terrorist organization, are symbolic sites whose significance heightens their risk of becoming terrorist targets, or have an organizational role in responding to or recovering from a terrorist attack.

The DHS Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program allocates funding to states that are considered high risk.  The states then provide sub-awards directly to individual nonprofit organizations.  Twenty states and the District of Columbia will receive grants.