[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REINTRODUCTION OF THE REVITALIZING CITIES THROUGH PARKS ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I introduce legislation, the Revitalizing 
Cities Through Parks Enhancement Act, that would establish a $10 
million grant program for qualified, non-profit, community groups, 
allowing them to lease municipally-owned vacant lots and transform 
these areas into parks. These vacant lots often are areas of heavy 
drug-trafficking. Parks and gardens created with the grants will not 
only provide safe places to gather, but will increase property values 
as well. The grants will be available from the Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development to groups who have met standards of financial 
security, and who have histories of serving their communities. To 
further ensure that these grants are used to make lasting positive 
changes, land improved and made into open community space under this 
legislation must be available for use as open space from the local 
government for at least seven years.

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