[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION

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                               speech of

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2008

  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
3546, a bill to authorize funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice 
Assistance Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels--$1.095 billion--
through 2012. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I know the critical 
importance of Byrne-JAG funding to law enforcement, and especially drug 
task forces, throughout the United States. Many of us remain deeply 
disappointed that the program's FY 2008 appropriation was cut so 
drastically at the end of last year.
  Byrne JAG provides needed funding to drug task forces throughout my 
district. For example, the Allen County Drug Task Force relies on this 
program's funding to continue its work with the FBI, DEA and ATF 
targeting drug traffickers. As does the Indiana Multi-Agency Group 
Enforcement (IMAGE), a drug-enforcement team combining select law 
enforcement from DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, and LaGrange counties. In 2006 
alone, IMAGE worked on 101 drug and prostitution cases, and seized 
illegal drugs valued at nearly $3 million. These results speak for 
themselves, and they demonstrate how critical it is to the safety of 
Hoosiers in northeast Indiana, as well as Americans nationwide, that 
the Byrne JAG program is fully-funded.
  I was very upset when Congress cut Byrne-JAG funding by 67 percent 
last December in the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. If the House 
doesn't act quickly to restore this key funding source, law enforcement 
programs throughout the Nation will certainly be reduced--or 
eliminated--likely reversing hard-won gains that have been made over 
the years at the local level.
  We have an opportunity with the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations 
bill to correct that mistake, and I strongly urge the House to accept 
the Senate language restoring Byrne-JAG funding for the current fiscal 
year. This measure is necessary in order for local law enforcement 
agencies to continue their constant pursuit of criminals, especially 
drug dealers. We will be taking a major step backward if we don't 
accept the Senate's proposal. The long-term effects of such a move are 
dangerous.
  As we enter the general appropriations season for next fiscal year, I 
also urge the Appropriations Committee, and the House in general, to 
fully fund this program in FY 2009. The Byrne JAG program is a proven 
success that strongly deserves reauthorization, and I urge passage 
today of H.R. 3546.

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