(Washington, D.C.)–Congressmen Jim Langevin and Patrick Kennedy today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has released $98,945 to the Rhode Island Institute for International Sport thanks to a joint effort by the two Congressmen.

 The Institute for International Sport will use the federal funds for student scholarships, transportation at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College and programming to combat juvenile delinquency.  The funds will enable the program to serve young people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and give them an opportunity to meet peers from all over the state.

 “The Institute for International Sport provides a vital service to at-risk children and teaches them the important values of sportsmanship, leadership and cooperation,” said Congressman Langevin.  “These federal funds will make a fine investment in increased opportunities for young people here at home and around the world.  I am pleased my colleagues have found this endeavor worthy of federal assistance.”

 "Every study shows that education is not an activity that occurs in the classroom alone," said Kennedy.  "It happens everywhere.  Thanks to groups like the Institute for International Sports, our community's youth can develop the social and leadership skills necessary to succeed in life.  This critical funding will go a long way toward making a difference in the lives of those children."

Founded in 1986, the Institute for International Sport (IIS), a non-profit organization, develops and manages programs designed to identify and proactively address critical youth issues.  Through its World Scholar-Athlete Games program, the IIS has profoundly influenced more than 10,000 future leaders from the United States and around the world.  The Institute continues to develop cutting-edge programming which seeks to curb problematic behavior at the earliest stages.

-30-