[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S GRASSROOTS PROGRAM

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                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National 
Football League, NFL, for its continuing efforts to improve the lives 
of America's youth both on and off the field.
  In 1998, the NFL and NFL Players Association organized the NFL Youth 
Football Fund, YFF, which is a non-profit foundation that supports the 
game of football at the youth level and promotes positive youth 
development. This wonderful organization has provided hundreds of 
thousands of children with the opportunity to learn the game of 
football, stay physically active, and get involved in productive after-
school activities with positive role models.
  One important initiative that the YFF has undertaken is its 
Grassroots Field Refurbishment Program. This unique program provides 
funds for communities to revamp local athletic fields so that youth 
have a safe place for athletic activities. The fields are newly built 
or significantly renovated, with improvements such as irrigation 
systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. The YFF 
has contributed nearly $23 million through the Grassroots Program to 
rebuild 170 fields nationwide in underserved areas.
  The NFL recently awarded a $200,000 grant to the Jersey City public 
schools to help replace the playing field at Cochrane Stadium in the 
Caven Point Athletic Complex, which is located in my home state of New 
Jersey. The field was closed in April 2008 because of concerns about 
high levels of lead found in the astroturf surface. The sports complex 
at Caven Point is an integral part of youth athletics in Hudson County 
and many of my constituents use these facilities. I am extremely 
pleased that the NFL is assisting the community in this way.
  I am honored to have an outstanding NFL franchise such as the Giants, 
who are the Super Bowl XLII Champions, play in my Congressional 
district at their home field of Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. Our 
local community continues to proudly support the Giants and is grateful 
that the NFL has selected Jersey City to receive a grant to improve 
their local athletic playing field.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today in 
commending the National Football League for its consistent support of 
our youth across the country. I also ask for unanimous consent to enter 
an article from the Jersey Journal into the Record.

                [From the Jersey Journal, June 10, 2008]

       NFL Giving $200G To Help Replace Turf at Cochrane Stadium

                          (By Ken Thorbourne)

       The National Football League is chipping in to replace an 
     athletic field in Jersey City that was closed in April due to 
     concerns about lead. The National Football League Grassroots 
     Program announced the $200,000 grant to the Jersey City 
     public schools to help replace the heavily used Cochrane 
     Stadium field at the Caven Point Athletic Complex last week.
       ``The district is thrilled the NFL is supporting local 
     athletics,'' said Board of Education spokesman Gerard 
     Crisonino. ``We see it as a real commitment to the students 
     of Jersey City.''
       Cochrane Stadium--along with the field at Frank Sinatra 
     Park in Hoboken--were closed after elevated levels of lead 
     were found in the synthetic fibers. The Hoboken field has 
     already been replaced.
       Crisonino said a new field at Caven Point is expected to 
     cost $1.1 million. In addition to the NFL grant, the district 
     expects to receive city and county money. Specifications are 
     being drawn up to bid the contract, he added.
       Elevated lead levels were also found at the College of New 
     Jersey's Lions Stadium Field in Ewing, which also has a 
     synthetic turf field.
       ``Fields are an integral part of creating viable and 
     healthy communities,'' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in 
     a statement. ``The development and refurbishment of these 
     football fields give youngsters a safe place to play the 
     game, and brings families and neighborhoods together.''

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