Political Quotes

“And so, in addition to support for increased funding for the Byrne/JAG and COPS programs, my goal is to increase funding for JABG. Unfortunately, funding for the JABG Program has decreased dramatically since its inception. Originally authorized at $350 million, it was funded at $250 million from fiscal year 1998 to fiscal year 2002, then dropped to $190 million in fiscal year 2003, and then to $60 million in fiscal year 2004. Since that time, funding has hovered between $50 and $60 million. President Bush sought to eliminate funding for this valuable program altogether in this year's budget proposal and in previous budget recommendations. Elimination of funding for this critical resource would seriously hamper efforts to deal effectively with juvenile delinquency. JABG would no longer be available to communities for the ongoing implementation of important accountability programming and service alternatives to youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system, including community-based alternatives to detention and intervention activities, and school-based violence prevention programming. I recognize the subcommittee's commitment to this program, and appreciate the chairman's role in restoring funding for JABG.”