[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BYRNE-JAG FUNDING

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                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Byrne-JAG 
funding for state and local anti-drug task forces. This program is 
critical to supporting the dedicated police officers combating the meth 
epidemic sweeping our nation.
  Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug. In San Joaquin 
County, California, part of my congressional district, meth has been 
the most deadly drug for four years running. Even worse, the impact of 
meth spreads far beyond just the self destructive behavior of the meth 
addict. In the Central Valley, meth has resulted in higher crime rates, 
child abuse and neglect, and toxic waste released into the environment.
  The Byrne-JAG program should be an important part of any effective 
strategy to stop the devastating impact that methamphetamine use is 
having on our communities. Byrne funding supports anti-drug task forces 
that bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement and that 
have proven very effective in disrupting meth production and 
trafficking. In 2004 alone, Byrne-funded task forces seized 5,646 meth 
labs.
  The Administration's meth strategy released last week sets a goal of 
reducing the number of domestic meth labs by 25% by 2008. Now is not 
the time to eliminate a program that provides our local and state law 
enforcement with the resources to achieve this goal.
  I urge my colleagues in the Appropriations Committee to fully fund 
the Byrne-JAG program.

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