Judiciary Committee Advances Leahy, Grassley Drug Free Communities Bill

WASHINGTON (Thursday, April 15, 2010) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday voted to advance legislation authored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to authorize additional Drug Free Communities (DFC) grants that will assist community coalitions in lowering substance abuse rates in neighborhoods across the country.  Leahy chairs the panel, and Grassley is a senior member of the Committee.

Leahy and Grassley introduced the Drug Free Communities Enhancement Act in February.  The bill will allow current and former DFCs to apply for grants of up to $75,000 per year to implement comprehensive, community-wide strategies to address emerging drug trends or local drug crises.  Community coalitions qualify for supplemental Drug Free Community grants if local data shows evidence of drug use and abuse rates above the national average, or if rates of use and abuse for a specific drug continue over a sustained period of time.  Grant applicants must submit a detailed, comprehensive, multi-sector plan for addressing the emerging local drug issue or crisis within the area served by the applicant.  Applicants are eligible for grants up to $75,000 per year for up to four years.

"I have spoken with a number of Vermonters representing these community partnerships, and I have heard about the innovative frameworks they have implemented to combat drug abuse in their communities, thanks in large part to Drug Free Communities grants," said Leahy.  "This legislation will enable many of those communities to secure additional funding to continue their efforts.  Communities nationwide are facing serious drug issues, and will benefit from these enhancement grants.  I thank Senator Grassley for his partnership on this issue, and I hope the Senate will quickly pass this legislation."

"Grassroots organizations are creating strategies to fight drug abuse in their own communities and succeeding.  Their efforts have made a real difference on the frontlines.  It's clear that Drug Free Communities grantees know how to best meet the challenges faced by a particular community," Grassley said.  "Now, the enhancement grants will add another tool to help these groups identify new and emerging drug abuse issues and work to defeat the threat to their kids and families."

The Judiciary Committee has oversight of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; the DFC federal grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Drug Free Community grants may also be used to obtain specialized training and technical assistance to improve the operation of DFC coalitions.  The program is a matching grant program, and DFC grantees are eligible to receive federal funds up to the amount of funds raised by the organization.  The Drug Free Communities Enhancement Act authorizes funding from 2011 through 2015.  An amendment adopted by the Judiciary Committee Thursday incorporates additional oversight and transparency provisions into the legislation.

Leahy and Grassley have partnered on several legislative and oversight efforts over the years.  Last year they teamed to author the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, which was signed into law in May.

# # # # #

Will encourage innovative physical education programs across America

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduced the Fitness for Life Act to combat childhood obesity and promote innovation in physical education curriculum. The bill is based on a successful partnership between the University of Northern Iowa and Grundy Center School District to develop innovative ways to embed technology in physical education curriculum. The Fitness for Life Act will create a competitive grant program that allows 10 colleges or universities to develop new methods of innovation in physical education with technology and ground-breaking teaching practices.

"America's obesity epidemic is spiraling out of control, jeopardizing America's physical and fiscal well-being," Braley said. "To teach our children healthy behaviors, I introduced the Fitness for Life Act, which will create a grant program based on UNI's successful 'Teaching with Technology' physical education program. I believe this legislation will have a tremendous impact, reducing childhood obesity and encouraging healthy behaviors in our children that will last a lifetime."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four Iowa children are overweight or obese. Many obese and overweight children develop illnesses like heart disease or Type 2 diabetes, which require long-term medical care.

Building on UNI and Grundy Center's successful partnership, funds from this grant program would be used for the purchase of equipment and technology to increase or enhance physical activity and fitness levels, including heart rate monitors, fitness assessment systems and pocket PC's.

# # #

This week we observe National Library Week - a good time to think about the important contributions our libraries and librarians make in our communities.  First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.  This year's theme is "Communities thrive @ your library" - and I could not agree more.   Libraries have always been there for our communities.  Today they provide a place for people - no matter their income - to access the internet and all the information it provides.  And they still serve, as they always have, as places to do in depth research, to discover a new book, to hold discussions or just a place for kids to escape into their imagination. 

The growth of public libraries in Iowa is a unique story.  Between 1892 and 1917 Andrew Carnegie provided funds for 101 community libraries - 49 of which are still in use today - and seven academic libraries across the state.  In fact, Iowa was one of the top beneficiaries of Carnegie's efforts to promote libraries.

And these libraries could not function without the dedication of our librarians.  These trained professionals often go un-thanked but really play an important part in preserving our literary history and helping us get the information we need.  I am grateful to them for all of their hard work.

During National Library Week, we are also reminded of the importance of reading skills in a child's development.  Unfortunately, a wide literacy gap exists between our nation's disadvantaged children and those with greater resources, but parental efforts to read to and with their children on a daily basis can promote the literacy of all children.  Research proves that reading aloud with children is the single most important activity for helping them become successful readers.  I fondly remember being read to as a child and reading to my two daughters when they were young.  That's why every week I participate in a program called "Everybody Wins!"  The organization's mission - one mentor, one child, one book at a time - is a testimony to the impact volunteers can have on a child's life.  Many libraries and schools across the country offer a similar program and during this week I encourage everyone to read to the children in their lives and consider participating in a similar program in their community.

Libraries all over the county, whether public or academic, are doing their part in bridging the literacy gap this week and all year, often hosting guest speakers and poetry readings, providing library assistance programs, arts and crafts sessions and other programs.  I recommend you check out your local library to participate or volunteer or even find out more about getting a library card.

For more information on National Library Week, please visit:  http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm