Below is a list of Projects for the 4th Congressional District and North Carolina that was included at my request in the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill (H.R. 3093). That bill eventually formed part of the end-of-the-year Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-161).

Project: Durham Forensic Unit Expansion
Funding: $ 376,000
Description: Funding for the City of Durham to expand the capacity of its Forensic Unit. Durham will use this funding to hire 14 additional technicians to process forensic evidence so that criminal investigations and prosecutions can proceed more quickly.

Project: Orange County Law Enforcement Equipment
Funding: $ 235,000
Description: Funding for the Orange County Sherriff’s Department to acquire 15 Mobile Data Terminals to ensure interoperable communications lines with state law enforcement, and for the Chapel Hill Police Department to acquire bulletproof vests, video analysis technology, and tactical equipment.

Project: Wake County Interoperable Communications Technology
Funding: $ 681,500
Description: Funding to help Wake Country obtain interoperable communications equipment to facilitate communications with other first responders during disasters and other emergencies. Improved interoperable communications was one of the key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Project: Raleigh Interoperable Communications Technology
Funding: $ 376,000
Description: Funding to help the Raleigh Police Department obtain interoperable equipment to facilitate communications with other first responders during disasters and other emergencies. Improved interoperable communications was one of the key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Project: Cary Interoperable Communications Technology
Funding: $ 352,500
Description: Funding to help the Town of Cary obtain interoperable communications equipment to facilitate communications with other first responders during disasters and other emergencies. Improved interoperable communications was one of the key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. This funding will also help Cary purchase a mobile video system that will assist in the arrest and conviction of criminal offenders.

Project: Visual Intelligence Tool for Wake and Durham First Responders
Funding: $ 235,000
Description: Funding will provide first responders in Durham and Wake Counties the capability to assess disaster scenes and plan responses using satellite imagery.

Project: NC Highway Patrol Communication Equipment
Funding: $ 329,000
Description: Funding to assist the North Carolina Highway Patrol in replacing outdated regional communications equipment with interoperable technology that connects troopers, dispatchers, and other first responders.

Project: SBI State Crime Lab DNA Enhancement
Funding: $ 282,000
Description: Funding for critical crime laboratory equipment to enhance and expedite DNA analysis at the SBI State Crime Laboratory in Raleigh. It will support the Lab’s efforts to meet a skyrocketing demand for DNA testing of crime scene evidence.

Project: Leadership Academy for African-American Males
Funding: $ 282,000
Description: Funding for expansion of North Carolina Central University’s innovative program to improve the educational outcomes of at-risk minority male youth in grades 9-12. The Leadership Academy for African-American Males will use this funding for a four-week academic enrichment institute, after-school programs, and a national conference on minority males in education.

Project: Center for Sustainable Life Support for Space Exploration
Funding: $ 376,000
Description: Funding for North Carolina State University (NCSU) to conduct research on biological processes necessary for human life support (recycling air, purifying water, producing food and maximizing human performance) during space exploration.

Project: National Textile Center & [TC]2*
Funding: $ 4,700,000
Description: Funding for two research consortia that are critical to enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. textile and apparel industry. The National Textile Center is a consortium of eight universities – including NCSU – that develops new materials, trains personnel, and strengthens textile research and education efforts. The Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation [TC]² is a consortium of fiber, fabric and apparel producers, organized labor groups, retailers, academic institutions and government agencies focused on improving textile and apparel production techniques.

*Denotes Project that was requested by numerous Members of Congress from various states, including many from the North Carolina delegation.