Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 the U.S. House of Representatives passed spending measures that include millions of dollars in federal funds for major programs and projects she championed throughout the year for her district and the community at large. 

The funding for the following projects was included in the final version of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY06:

• $50,000 for upgrades to the City of Downey's police and fire department dispatch service and $1 million for the city to house a model replica of a space shuttle as a scientific exhibit.
• $250,000 for an at-risk youth program in Bell Gardens and $150,000 for its police department to expand its communications technology.
• $175,000 for the "Safer City" initiative in Ramona Gardens in East Los Angeles, a collaborative effort between the City of Los Angeles, the business community and local social service agencies to reduce crime in targeted neighborhoods.
• $200,000 for Phoenix House, a drug treatment residential center, to expand adolescent methamphetamine drug treatment services for Los Angeles youth.

"Despite an extremely challenging budget year, I am very pleased that my colleagues in Congress recognized the importance of these worthwhile community projects that help strengthen our families, our neighborhoods and the entire Los Angeles region," said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard who sits on the Appropriations Committee.

In addition, funding was included in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY06 for the following major water and environmental projects in the Los Angeles area:

• $2 million for studies at sites along the Los Angeles River, including $750,000 for a feasibility study by the Corps of Engineers at the Cornfields site.

 "I have worked for several years with City Councilman Ed Reyes and local stakeholders to explore ways to convert the land adjacent to the Los Angeles River into parks, housing and economic development for our local communities," Congresswoman Roybal-   Allard said. "The Cornfields site is one of the most promising opportunities for these types of initiatives, and I am pleased that we can move forward with a feasibility study to lay out some of the possibilities," Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.

• $2.7 million for continued dredging of the main channel of Los Angeles Harbor. 

"This project will enable the harbor to accommodate new and larger container vessels which, in turn, will enhance manufacturing and business opportunities and spur job creation in the Los Angeles area. That's why this project is a high priority -- not just for our region, but for the continued vitality of our nation's commerce," Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.

• $3 million for the Harbor South Bay Recycled Water Project.

"The Harbor/South Bay Water Recycling project provides recycled water for municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the Los Angeles area, and I'm pleased that this funding will permit us to substantially expand capacity to serve more of our businesses with a reliable water supply for years to come," Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.

Following passage of the conference reports (the final versions) of the two appropriations bills in the U.S. Senate in the near future, both measures will be sent to the President for his signature.