Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today announced more than $900,000 in funding for community building projects for Prince George's County.
"I am pleased that the county is one step closer to receiving this funding for community building projects," said Congressman Van Hollen. "I am very pleased with this result, but want to stress that it is only the first hurdle in a long process."
The bill includes:
- $500,000 in the Energy and Water Development 2008 spending bill to develop an Anacostia watershed restoration plan to reduce pollutant loads, increase wetlands, and improve recreational use of urban fisheries. The Anacostia River is one of the most degraded urban rivers in the nation and a major area of concern for toxics in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- $275,000 in the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) 2008 spending bill for the Prince George's and Montgomery Counties Joint Gang Suppression and Prevention Initiative to continue fighting gang activity.
- $150,000 in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) 2008 spending bill for the Colmar Manor Community Center for the construction of new a community center that will provide programs to meet the needs of the residents of Colmar Manor and the surrounding Port Towns.
- $200,000 in the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) 2008 spending bill for CASA of Maryland for its Community Crime Prevention Initiative focused on the Langley Park area. CASA will develop a comprehensive plan to engage community members in positive leadership development and community organizing in order to stamp out gangs and violent crime in the neighborhood.
All of the spending bills passed the full House Appropriations Committee. In the next step of the appropriations process, the bill will move to the House floor for a vote.