Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2007

Contact:
Jennifer Kohl
202.225.4289 or 202.225.4025
Trudy Perkins
410.685.9199 or 202.225.4641

Cummings Votes for Passage of Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008.

Secures Funds for the Projects in the Baltimore Region and National Programs

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland) voted with 239 of his colleagues to pass the Fiscal Year 2008Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, H.R. 2829.

"By passing H.R. 2829 we confirmed our commitment to efficient and fair elections, the support of small businesses, and our continued fight against the devastation of dangerous drugs," Congressman Cummings said.

Specifically, the Fiscal Year 2008Financial Services and General Government Appropriations does the following:

Provides $300 million in funds for states to improve the administration of elections by upgrading voting machines and voter registration databases in time for the 2008 Presidential election;
Increases funding for programs to benefit disadvantaged communities and small businesses through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and investing in Small Business Loans and Development Centers; and
Provides $226 million, to coordinate drug control efforts among local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies, providing agencies with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States.

Additionally, the bill secures $693,000 for the following projects and programs that will benefit the 7^th Congressional District.

However, this funding is contingent upon the final passage of the House-Senate compromise bill and the signature of the President.

"However, I am a strong believer in an open and transparent government, and this is why I am releasing this information," Congressman Cummings said. "These much-needed funds will help create opportunities for the residents of the 7^th Congressional district and also help uplift our youth."

The projects/programs include:

$231,000 for the Minority Community Small Business and Economic Development Initiative: These funds will support the Minority Community Small Business and Economic Development Initiative of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). TMCF is comprised of 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 22 states, dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for African American men and women across the country. TMCF's Minority Community Small Business and Economic Development Initiative would target Baltimore City and other urban locations to promote and enhance small and minority business development.
$231,000 for the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Biotech Park: With these funds, UMB will be able to support the continued growth of the BioPark and to create a workforce training center
$231,000 for Access to Libraries and learning: Creating Technology for the Blind: The National Federation of the Blind will receive these funds to develop a completely accessible Integrated Library System (ILS) in Baltimore that can be used independently by the visually impaired to increase job and small business opportunities as well as provide access to both blind librarians and library patrons.

"Finally, as founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Drug Policy, I am pleased to say that H.R. 2829 includes funding I requested for two programs: $90 million for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) program and $2 million for the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute. Respectively, the programs work to reduce substance abuse among youth and provide resources that make anti-drug coalitions more effective in reducing drug use," Congressman Cummings said.

###

« top »