FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACT: Luis Vizcaino
November 18, 1999                                                   202-225-1766
 

WASHINGTON, DC – This year, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard became the first Latina in U.S. history to be appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful and distinguished committees in Congress. In her new role, she successfully secured millions of dollars for critical Los Angeles initiatives as part of a $385 billion budget compromise passed by the House of Representatives this week.  The funding will be allocated for local projects that improves schools, reduces crime, stimulates economic development and further empowers residents in the 33rd Congressional District.

"These funds will support a myriad of law enforcement initiatives that supports families in our communities,"  said Roybal-Allard.  "The economic resources will result in safer neighborhoods, better transportation and more health services for our community."

The $1 million for the District Attorney’s office will assist in reinstatement of the "Rollout"
program.  Under the program, an attorney and an investigator from the DA’s office are dispatched to the scene of all officer involved shootings to conduct an independent investigation.  Roybal-Allard has been troubled by the fact that since the "Rollout" program ended in 1996, the LAPD and Sheriff’s Department have solely handled investigations of their own officers.

"I am confident that the $1 million funding for the ‘Rollout’ program will contribute to its effectiveness and address the recent crisis in our community involving the LAPD," added Roybal-Allard.

The following projects were secured funding in the fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Bill:

· $1.6 million to expand public bus services for four southeast cities, including Maywood, Cudahy, Commerce and Bell. The funds will benefit transit-dependent residents, including senior citizens, disabled, and youth with increased bus services in their communities;
· $500,000 for the Los Angeles Police Department to expand their successful domestic abuse response team program to Southeast LA.  The program provides extra resources in investigating and prosecuting cases of domestic violence, and provides services for women and children;
· $1 million for a small business incubator program administered by Operation Hope in Maywood;
· $500,000 for the Los Angeles Dads/Family program  which supports activities to encourage young men to take responsibility for their families;
· $1 million for the family violence response teams project administered by LAPD, which provides extra resources to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence and provide services to victims at the scene;
· $200,000 for a community center in Maywood;
· $80,000 for the redevelopment of the Sears and Prison Industrial Sites in downtown;
· $100,000 to TELACU for the redevelopment of an industrial park;
· $10,000 for a telemedicine clinic program in East Los Angeles;
· $700,000 for an arthritis care and education program at the Roybal Center;
· $150,000 to develop a medical access care program for residents lacking health insurance; and
· $1.5 million for establishment of an Imaging Core Facility at Children’s Hospital.

As a member of the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, Roybal-Allard successfully advocated for increased funding for a number of other programs of significance to the region and state, including:

· The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) received $585 million, $85 million more than the President’s budget request.  This program reimburses states and localities for the cost of incarcerating undocumented aliens who commit crimes and California receives almost half of SCAAP funds.

· The California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement will receive $18.2 million to fight methamphetamine production and trafficking in the state.