Grace Meng: “Many of the groups opposing this bill also oppose Nonprofit Security Grant funding, historic preservation grants, and…”

“Many of the groups opposing this bill also oppose Nonprofit Security Grant funding, historic preservation grants, and parochial school funding after Katrina. They oppose Federal assistance that helped rebuild the Trinity Parish Episcopal Church in Seattle after an earthquake; aid made available after the tragic Oklahoma City bombing in which money was made available to the First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. This is not precedential; this is taking care of our constituents and their needs, our most important task in Congress. Congress erred by not including an important part of our communities in these rebuilding efforts, and I hope we can correct that today. Diocese of Rockville Centre, Rockville Centre, NY, February 11, 2013. Hon. Chris Smith, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Smith: A few weeks ago I wrote to your office to call your attention to the sad situation of houses of worship that were severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. At that time I could cite Catholic churches and Jewish synagogues who had been told that FEMA would not offer them grants to re-build their place of worship but only loans. Today I learned that you plan to offer in Congress a bill that would offer houses of worship the same access to disaster relief as other community centers.…”