[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E397-E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pensylvania. Pursuant to the Republican Leadership 
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for 
publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received 
as part of H.R. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009:
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Greensburg Police Department
  Address of Requesting Entity: 416 South Main Street, Greensburg, 
Pennsylvania, 15601 Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount 
of $435,000 for the City of Greensburg Police Department Emergency 
Communications Interoperability System and Upgrades will allow for the 
purchase and installation of a dual 800 MHZ Interoperable Radio System 
for the police department. This system will permit an upgrade of the 
Department's communications system and provide interoperability 
communications with other departments and first responders within 
Westmoreland County. The City of Greensburg Police Department provides 
dispatching service to the City of Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg, 
South Greensburg and Seton Hill University; therefore, this 
communications system is essential to allowing uninterrupted 
communications with all Westmoreland County Police and Fire 
Departments.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Heidelberg Police Department
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1631 East Railroad Street, Carnegie, 
Pennsylvania, 15106
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $10,000 for 
Technology Upgrades and Navigational Systems. Heidelberg Borough Police 
Department Technology Upgrades are necessary for the purchase of shared 
technology, police mobile data terminals and navigational systems. 
These technology upgrades will allow for faster and safer response 
during police stops and investigation detentions. These upgrades will 
assist with officer safety and information sharing and bring the 
Department into the 21st century.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Justice, OJP, Byrne Discretionary Grants
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Washington County District Attorney
  Address of Requesting Entity: Washington County Courthouse, 
Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $220,000 for 
the Washington County District Attorney's Drug Task Force Equipment and 
Technology Improvement Initiative. The Drug Task Force Equipment and 
Technology Improvement Initiative aims to benefit the Washington County 
District Attorney's Drug Task Force (WCDA-DTF) in their combined goal 
to fight the drug problems in the area. The WCDA-DTF is comprised of 45 
officers, a majority of whom work for the 14 municipal police 
departments in the 18th Congressional District. Funding will provide 
the

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Drug Task Force and officers with the tools to fight, neutralize, and 
defeat the scourge of drugs in Washington County. The equipment will 
help the Drug Task Force and the District Attorney's office 
communicate, build cases, conduct undercover surveillance, coordinate 
activity, observe criminal activity, and prosecute drug crime.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Justice, OJP, Juvenile Justice Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: West Jefferson Hills School District
  Address of Requesting Entity: 835 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, 
Pennsylvania, 15025 Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount 
of $500,000 for the Alternative Education Program. Funding will be used 
for the establishment of a District Alternative Education program that 
will provide quality services for students who have been identified as 
students ``at risk'' and have not been able to comply with the 
established rules and regulations of the traditional classroom/school. 
Students who attend this program will be afforded the opportunity to 
have access to a quality education designed to meet individual needs.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Energy and Water, Corps of Engineers, Construction Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Locks and Dams 2, 3 and 4, 
Monongahela River, PA Address of Requesting Entity: Pittsburgh District 
at the Wm. S. Moorehead Federal Bldg. 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828, 
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $15,900,000 
for the Lower Monongahela River Project is located in Southwestern 
Pennsylvania and was authorized for construction by the Water Resources 
Development Act (WRDA) of 1992. This project addresses the deteriorated 
condition of the navigation facilities along the Lower Monongahela 
River. The project is to build a new dam at 2 (Braddock), new locks at 
4 (Charleroi) and then to remove the Locks and Dam at 3 (Elizabeth), 
creating a single 30 mile pool. The dam at 2 is now complete but the 
old dam 3 cannot be removed until the locks are completed at 4. 
Specific concerns were the very real risks of navigation system failure 
related to the poor structural condition of Locks & Dam 3, and the fact 
that industry must continue to rely on a single chamber at Locks 4 on 
the Monongahela River. Ground was broken in 1994 and the project was to 
be completed in 2004 or in 10 years. However, the slow pace of funding 
forced inefficient decisions, which now mean the best schedule for 
total project completion, now 2016, provided that the project continues 
to receive optimal funding. The funding delays created greater than 
normal maintenance problems. The condition and sustained operability of 
Locks and Dam 3, and Locks 4 is a significant and growing concern. The 
100-year-old Locks and Dam 3 are among the oldest structures operating 
on the inland navigation system, and the most structurally deficient 
navigation facility on the Monongahela River. The larger locks will 
afford industry a 27% savings in economy scale. The challenge is to put 
the Lower Monongahela River Project on an efficient funding schedule.

  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Energy and Water, Corps of Engineers, Investigations Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Upper Ohio Navigation Study
  Address of Requesting Entity: Pittsburgh District at the Wm. S. 
Moorehead Federal Bldg. 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828 Pittsburgh, PA 
15222
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $4,015,000 for 
the Upper Ohio River, defined as Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery 
(EDM) Locks and Dams, is a multi-year feasibility investigation to 
determine the best navigation improvement project. EDM are the three 
oldest locks on the Ohio River navigation system. Two major problems 
associated with the locks are: 1) their structural condition; and 2) 
the lock chamber sizes are too small to efficiently accommodate modern 
tow configurations.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Energy and Water, Corps of Engineers, Section 206 Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Canonsburg Lake Ecosystem 
Restoration
  Address of Requesting Entity: Pittsburgh District at the Wm. S. 
Moorehead Federal Bldg. 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828 Pittsburgh, PA 
15222
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $0 for the 
Canonsburg Lake Aquatic Restoration. This project will implement a 
Corps of Engineers Section 206 Aquatic Restoration Feasibility Study. 
Restoring the aquatic ecosystem of the lake that has been severely 
degraded by sediment deposition. Dredging the sediment from the lake is 
proposed to enhance the ecosystem for fish species and other aquatic 
life, restore adequate water levels and create additional wetlands on 
site.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Interior, EPA, STAG Water & Wastewater Infrastructure 
Project
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Borough of Dormont
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1444 Hillsdale Avenue, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, 15216
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $138,000 for 
the Mattern Avenue Storm Sewer Project. The Mattern Avenue storm sewers 
in Dormont borough are flawed in their design and need to be replaced. 
Runoff from a nearby hill is not being carried into the sewer and the 
runoff water is lying in the basin. The original storm sewer design was 
flawed. During the winter months, a sheet of ice between six to twelve 
inches thick develops over the storm sewers and along Mattern Avenue, a 
high mileage road. This creates a major safety concern. In order to 
remedy this problem, the existing storm sewers will need to be replaced 
along Mattern Avenue and two additional storm sewers will need to be 
added at the basin. This will ensure that runoff is being collected and 
carried into the storm sewers.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Transportation, Transportation, Community & 
System Preservation
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Allegheny County Department of 
Economic Development
  Address of Requesting Entity: Regional Enterprise Tower, Suite 800, 
425 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $570,000 for 
the Grove Road Bridge Replacement. Castle Shannon Bridge over Saw Mill 
Run in Castle Shannon is functionally obsolete and borderline 
structurally deficient. The bridge is heavily travelled with a large 
volume of traffic daily which presents a number of safety concerns for 
motorists. The bridge is also a link in access to a large Port 
Authority Park and Ride serving the T-line.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Transportation, Transportation, Community & 
System Preservation
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Moon Transportation Authority
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township, 
PA 15108
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $95,000 for 
the Thorn Run Interchange Upgrade. This project will alleviate 
congestion, improve mobility, and protect motorists by reconfiguring 
and signalizing the intersections at the Thorn Run Road Interchange. 
Currently, motorists navigate broad and un-signalized intersections 
with a higher than average frequency of accidents. The proposed 
improvements mainly consist of four traffic signals, sidewalks, roadway 
widening, new concrete shoulders, and a culvert extension.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Housing & Urban Development, Economic 
Development Initiative Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Borough of Bridgeville, PA
  Address of Requesting Entity: 425 Bower Hill Road, Bridgeville, 
Pennsylvania, 15017
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $228,000 for 
the Borough of Bridgeville Streetscape Project along Washington Avenue. 
Funds will be used to remove and replace raised sidewalk slabs and aged 
trees along Washington Avenue in Bridgeville Borough. The current 
sidewalk slabs are raised and causing dangerous conditions for 
pedestrians. In addition, funds will be used to install tree gates and 
boxes for overall aesthetic and safety enhancements.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Housing & Urban Development, Economic 
Development Initiative Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Washington County Council on 
Economic Development

[[Page E399]]

  Address of Requesting Entity: 40 South Main Street, Lower Level, 
Washington, PA 15301
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $199,500 for 
the Starpointe Business Industrial Park, Washington County Council on 
Economic Development. Funding will be used for redevelopment of a 148-
acre coal stripped site at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. This 
project is the first phase of a 1,153 development in the Pittsburgh 
International Airport Market Area. Funding will be used to develop an 
additional 50 acres of the site and complete the remainder of the 
project. The total capital investment upon completion of this project 
will be $69,000,000. In addition this project will add approximately 
150 jobs to the development.

  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Education, Elementary & Secondary Education 
Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
  Address of Requesting Entity: 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, 15222
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $238,000 for 
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for curriculum development. Funding 
will be used to partially finance the Education & Community Engagement 
program. Whether engaging infants and toddlers through the Early 
Childhood Program, performing for thousands of schoolchildren through 
Schooltime and Tiny Tots concerts at Heinz Hall, raising money for 
community projects through Community Engagement concerts or 
participating in other education or community projects, Pittsburgh 
Symphony Orchestra (PSO) musicians have immersed themselves in the 
greater Pittsburgh community. Nearly 100,000 schoolchildren, adults and 
seniors are reached through a broad array of programs. Education 
programs fill the gaps of music program budget cuts in the schools as 
musicians join educators and PSO staff to plan, implement and evaluate 
programs that target the very young through high school-aged students. 
Programs take place in the schools and at Heinz Hall. Community 
Engagement programs connect audiences throughout the Pittsburgh region 
with the PSO using a variety of innovative outlets. Most community 
Engagement concerts raise money for community causes as 100% of ticket 
proceeds of these performances stay in the community. In 2005-2006 over 
$50,000 was raised for community projects in seven different 
communities.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for 
Children & Families, Social Services Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: AAdvantage Foundation Inc.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 201 South Johnson Road, Foxpointe 
Centre, Suite 200, North Strabane, Pennsylvania, 15342
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $95,000 for 
The Arc of Washington County, AAdvantage Foundation Inc. The Arc of 
Washington County would provide a much needed resource for individuals 
with disabilities in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The creation of 
The Arc of Washington County will enable AAdvantage, as an agency, to 
work collaboratively with The Arc of the United States to improve 
systems of supports and services, to connect families, to inspire 
communities and to influence public policy. It is also the agency's 
intent that the programs established will assist in early 
identification of disabilities, thus decreasing the long-term 
dependence on national resources. The funding being requested will be 
used for costs associated with the development of The Arc of Washington 
County to assist in enhancing the health and well-being of individuals 
with disabilities.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & 
Services Administration, Health Facilities & Services Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital
  Address of Requesting Entity: 532 West Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, 
Pennsylvania, 15601
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $381,000 for 
facilities and equipment, Mercy Jeannette Hospital will become a campus 
of Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, joining Excela Health's network 
of care to better serve the Western Pennsylvania community. To reflect 
the changes, the hospital is to be renamed Excela Health Westmoreland 
Hospital at Jeannette. To strengthen the quality of care offered in the 
Jeannette community and provide much needed capital for facility and 
equipment enhancements, Excela Health will invest approximately $10 
million in capital over the next five years. The federal funds asked 
for are just the first step in a larger project to make the facility 
serving Jeannette and surrounding communities viable for the future. 
This phase includes updating the radiology equipment, dietary, 
outpatient areas in addition to needed infrastructure repairs and 
upgrades. Excela Health will be doing an on-going evaluation of the 
kinds of services that best meet the needs of this community including 
the possible addition of a Federally Qualifies Health Center for this 
medically underserved area.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & 
Services Administration, Health Facilities & Services Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 
Forbes Regional Campus
  Address of Requesting Entity: 2570 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, 
Pennsylvania, 15146
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $476,000 for 
the purchase of equipment. Funding will be used to purchase patient 
lifting devices to be used for patients who require assistance with 
mobilization. Hospital patients will benefit from this project as 
efforts to move a patient without adequate assistance can result in 
patient harm. Hospital staff will benefit from this project as improper 
lifting can result in staff injuries. In the past three years the 
hospital has had total estimated losses of $180,000 resulting from 
lifting and transfer related injuries
  Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009
  Account: Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, 
Training & Employment Services Account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Plumbers Local Union 27 & 
Steamfitters Local Union 449
  Address of Requesting Entity: Plumbers Local Union 27 and the 
Steamfitters Local Union 449 at 1040 Montour West Industrial Park, 
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, 15108 and 1517 Woodruff Street, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, 15220
  Description of Request: Appropriation in the amount of $190,000 for 
the Western Pennsylvania Pipe Trades Regional Training Project. The 
members of the Steamfitters Local Union no. 449 and the Plumbers Local 
Union No. 27 are professionals that work together to meet difficult 
schedules and solve unusual mechanical requirements and applications in 
today's competitive marketplace. Both unions address the need for more 
skilled workers by providing a comprehensive, extensive training 
program for those entering the pipe trades industry. The Plumbers Local 
Union No. 27 Apprenticeship Program focuses on teaching students about 
codes, drainage and water supply. This program offers training for 
commercial work on commercial and industrial buildings larger than 
three stories, including the installation of the water and gas systems 
in large multipurpose dwellings, such as apartment buildings or major 
nursing and assisted living homes. Their work in hospitals is 
particularly important, as they install the systems that distribute 
oxygen and other essential medical gases to operating, recovery and 
patient rooms. The Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 Apprenticeship 
Program focuses on areas such as refrigeration, steam heating and 
welding. The program offers instruction on the installation and 
maintenance of the pipes that carry hot water, steam, air or other 
liquids or gases needed for manufacturing or other industrial purposes. 
The Steamfitters Local 449 and The Plumbers Local 27 are feeling the 
pinch for more trained apprentices for the construction, high tech, and 
manufacturing industries in the Western Pennsylvania area. In addition, 
there is a shortage of proficient welders now and in the near future. 
Due to the decline in economy, unemployed pipe trade union workers need 
to be retrained in order for them to be proficient in the pipe welding 
and plumbing maintenance to help keep the above mentioned buildings 
running efficiently. In addition to retraining unemployed union 
workers, new apprentices need to go through the proper classes and gain 
the best education in order to master the required skill.

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