[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E553-E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2009

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the 
Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the 
following regarding earmarks I received as part of the FY 2009 Omnibus.


                 Agriculture, FDA and Related Programs

  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, 
Research and Education
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami
  Address of Requesting Entity: 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 
33149
  Description of Request: I have secured $2,494,000 for the 
Southeastern Climate Consortium Application of Climate Forecasts in the 
Southeastern United States. The Consortium reduces economic risks and 
improves social well-being by providing climate information that is 
integral to agricultural decision-making. The program seeks to develop 
flood forecasting methods to help farmers and producers plan for 
reducing risks of economic losses and environmental damage; develop 
partnerships and methods for incorporating climate forecasts and other 
climate information into agricultural and water policy decisions; and 
begin development of a prototype decision support system for the 
application of climate forecasts to water resource management, 
especially for agricultural water use.


                       Commerce, Justice, Science

  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology 
account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hialeah
  Address of Requesting Entity: 501 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010
  Description of Request: I have secured $600,000 to enhance the City 
of Hialeah police department's current radio system which does not 
allow for radio interoperability among other law enforcement agencies, 
especially important during times of statewide response to natural 
disasters, domestic security incidents or multi-agency jurisdictional 
public safety efforts. The XPS radio system would bridge the current 
gap and achieve interoperability with the State of Florida by replacing 
and upgrading fixed end, portable and mobile radio communication 
equipment.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Commerce, NOAA, Operations, Research and 
Facilities account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida International University
  Address of Requesting Entity: University Park Campus, 11200 SW 8th 
Street, Miami, FL 33199
  Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 to develop the 
capability of real-time forecasting for storm surges associated with 
hurricane activity and flooding. The State of Florida is completing a 
state-wide collection of data from airborne lasers to record detailed 
elevation information. Combined with new computational capabilities and 
overland flow algorithms, the proposed models would allow Florida the 
best understanding of storm surge effects and subsequent planning 
advantages. This new information will save lives and mitigate property 
loss due to storm surge flooding.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Justice, Juvenile Justice account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ARISE Foundation
  Address of Requesting Entity: 4001 Edmund Benson Boulevard, Miami, FL 
33178
  Description of Request: I have secured $300,000 to educate at-risk 
youth. Established in 1986, ARISE has trained over 5,000 certified life 
skills instructors who have gone on to teach over 3,600,000 documented 
hours of evidence-based life skills lessons. Specifically targeting 
high-risk youth, ARISE's goal is to stop the cycle of crime and 
violence while offenders are young enough to learn life lessons--and 
ultimately, to reduce rates of recidivism, drug abuse and violence 
while building skills to keep juveniles in school and out of harm's 
way. The ARISE Life Management Skills Lessons provide both training and 
program materials for teaching such lessons to incarcerated youth 
through interactive methods that help develop positive social and 
emotional skills needed to break the cycle of violence and crime that 
would otherwise doom many of today's juvenile offenders. Further, it 
provides demonstrable outcome measures on the value of expanding this 
statistically proven, award-winning, professionally managed 
intervention program.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Justice, Juvenile Justice account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, 
FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $200,000 to continue the 
partnership between Miami-Dade County and the Department of Justice in 
administering the JAC program which has been recognized by the White 
House Office of National Drug Control Policy for its exemplary results 
in reducing the recidivism rate among juveniles in Miami-Dade County. 
The Office of Justice Programs also strongly supports the JAC's 
initiative to provide an expanded data base, as it could offer valuable 
lessons to other large jurisdictions across the U.S. The Juvenile 
Assessment Center, a centralized processing, referral, and evaluation 
center for all juveniles arrested in Dade County, opened in late 
October 1997 and has served over 100,000 arrested juveniles. The JAC 
allows representatives from law enforcement and social services to work 
together to provide a complete range of services at the initial stages 
of the juvenile's involvement with the Juvenile Justice System. Over 
5,000 juveniles have participated in the Post-Arrest Diversion 
component of the project since 2000, with a success rate of 73% and a 
sharply decreased recidivism rate among juveniles in Miami-Dade County. 
A successful completion of this demonstration project will continue to 
reduce juvenile crime in Miami-Dade County and provide a valuable 
blueprint for similar efforts across the country.


                      Energy and Water Development

  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Inland Navigational 
District, Intracoastal Waterway Maintenance
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1314 Marcinski Road, Jupiter, FL 33477
  Description of Request: I have secured $4,019,000 for the maintenance 
dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway in portions of St. Johns, Duval, 
St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River Counties.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Energy, Science BER account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barry University
  Address of Requesting Entity: 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 
33161
  Description of Request: I have secured $761,200 to fund Phase II of 
the Institute for Collaborative Sciences Research which is intended to 
create a state-of-the-art research infrastructure through new 
laboratory and teaching space. The focus of the Institute will be to 
prepare minority leaders for future work in healthcare professions 
while facilitating important research that has a direct benefit on 
minority populations in my South Florida community. Barry University is 
one of the largest independent universities in Florida. The university 
boasts a student body that is more than 60% minority and 42% are the 
first in their family to attend college.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Office of Science, BER account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Thomas University
  Address of Requesting Entity: 16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 
33054
  Description of Request: I have secured $570,200 for a continuation of 
the university's Minority Science Program and its commitment to attract 
top minority students to pursue a career in science and provide them 
with up-to-date laboratories, cutting edge curriculum, experienced 
professors and research opportunities. To this end, STU is constructing 
a state-of-the-art science facility, the Carnival Cruise Lines Science 
and Technology Building. The U-CORTE project will be located in the 
space vacated by the Department of Natural Sciences when it moves to 
the new building. It consists of establishing a university-community 
resource center and programs to stimulate and expand linkages between 
the university and local community partners. This partnership will 
address disparities in access to critical health, mental health and 
legal services in the low-income, minority communities of Miami Gardens 
and Opa Locka, which are adjacent to St. Thomas University.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus

[[Page E554]]

  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, 
FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $478,000 for dredging of the 
Miami Harbor at the Port of Miami which includes the design, 
preparation of plans and specifications for bidding. The Chief of 
Engineers has recommended the deepening project to 50-52 feet and 
Congress has authorized the project (Title I, Water Resources 
Development Act of 2007). It is essential that the Planning, 
Engineering, and Design (PED) begin in FY09. Extended delay in the 
proposed dredging improvements could be detrimental to the economy of 
South Florida and the nation. Cargo growth at the Port of Miami has 
been phenomenally strong. However, the industry standard container ship 
is becoming larger, and the Port cannot handle the newer ships without 
deeper channels. In addition, the Port has been facing increasing 
competition from foreign ports with existing significantly deeper 
channels and faces lost business to foreign ports (such as Freeport).
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Investigations R&D account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, 
FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $239,000 for an ongoing 
feasibility study being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
and Miami-Dade County that examines the affect of canal and groundwater 
discharges on Biscayne Bay's hydrodynamics, water quality and ecology. 
This study will help determine the historic freshwater flows to 
Biscayne Bay and help to improve the ecosystem.


                        Labor, HHS and Education

  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Jewish Home and Hospital 
Hialeah PACE Center
  Address of Requesting Entity: 5200 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33138
  Description of Request: I have secured $476,000 to develop a PACE 
Center in Hialeah, Florida. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the 
Elderly (PACE) is an innovative long-term care model that allows frail 
elders to remain at home. The goal of PACE is to deliver high quality, 
cost-effective care while managing participants' complex medical, 
functional, and social needs. PACE integrates financing and delivery of 
acute and long-term care services. PACE enables older individuals who 
are eligible for nursing home care to continue living in the community 
with a full spectrum of medical, social and rehabilitative services. 
The Program of all Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) meets three 
important objectives in providing long-term care services: a) it allows 
long term care in operate in a managed care environment, b) it 
integrates Medicare and Medicaid into a seamless and transparent 
funding source, and c) it allows nursing eligible older adults to 
remain at home.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Children's Hospital
  Address of Requesting Entity: 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33155
  Description of Request: I have secured $285,000 to construct two new 
hybrid pediatric cardiac suites under the Miami Children's Hospital 
Congenital Heart Institute. These adjoining hybrid suites will feature: 
full cardiac operating room capabilities including cardiopulmonary 
bypass, dedicated pediatric cardiac anesthesia, state of the art hybrid 
cardiac surgical/interventional table, low dose digital flat panel 
imaging technology and operating room ventilation and temperature 
control. The goal of CHI is to achieve 100% survivability for children 
with congenital heart disease, and to improve their health status 
throughout their lives. This mission is entirely consistent with the 
goals of HRSA and HHS, and better medical interventions at the early 
stages of the disease lead to better quality of life for patients, 
shorter hospital stays, and fewer hospital admissions over their 
lifetime.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida International University
  Address of Requesting Entity: 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199
  Description of Request: I have secured $238,000 to establish a 
nanotechnology facility to develop biosensors capable of measuring 
exposure to environmental and occupational hazards for community 
safety. The proposed Center for Advanced Diagnostics Devices would be 
able to design regional toxin monitoring systems. In addition, the 
project allows Florida International University's College of Medicine 
to merge research and treatment with real time toxin exposure 
detection.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: SAMHSA Mental Health account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Spectrum Programs, Inc.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 11031 NE 6th Avenue, Miami, FL 33161
  Description of Request: I have secured $238,000 to demonstrate the 
effectuality of a mental health and substance abuse treatment continuum 
that integrates research, best practices and emergent treatment 
methodologies across the spectrum of mental health, substance abuse, 
and co-occurring disorders in a continuous improvement model, making 
the processes and procedures of behavioral health treatment more 
effective, the timelines to improved behavioral health shorter, and the 
gains more sustainable, substantially reducing the catastrophic 
personal, family, and societal consequences of historically 
disaggregated treatment approaches. The funding will establish the 
Florida Center for Excellence in Emerging Behavioral Health Strategies.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Administration for Children and Families Social Services 
account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barry University
  Address of Requesting Entity: 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 
33161
  Description of Request: I have secured $167,000 to support the Center 
for Community Services Initiatives (CCSI) to enhance opportunities for 
external individuals and groups to participate in on-campus programs. 
The Center will serve as an educational resource to community 
organizations, including health providers. Barry service-learning 
opportunities support local community clinics, helping to improve the 
quality and accessibility of health care, including behavioral health 
care.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Education, Elementary and Secondary Education 
(FIE) account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County Public Schools
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132
  Description of Request: I have secured $143,000 to develop a 
curriculum modeled on world-class standards, delivered by a high-
quality teaching corps, resulting in an internationally superior level 
of student achievement, and to establish an international education 
model of excellence. The membership of the ECIC will include chief 
education officers, national and international education researchers, 
business leaders, and mayors of major urban cities from around the 
world, ensuring that work of the ECIC is informed by the context of the 
new world economy and what will be required to succeed in it.


                           Transportation/HUD

  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Transit Administration, New Starts account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, 
FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $20,000,000 for Phases II and 
III of the Miami-Dade County Transit Authority's Metrorail Orange Line 
Expansion. Primarily, in Phase II, Miami-Dade County Department of 
Transit is in the final planning stage for the construction of a 9.2-
mile Metrorail extension along NW 27th Avenue between the existing Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Metrorail station and the Broward County line. 
Phase III, the County's East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Project 
proposes to extend Metrorail some 10-13 miles from the Miami Intermodal 
Center to Florida International University and points west. As fewer 
than 48% of the County's residents live outside incorporated Miami, 
this Orange Line expansion project will allow for more options for 
commuting and travel around Miami-Dade County.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Highway Administration, TCSP account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hialeah, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 501 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010

[[Page E555]]

  Description of Request: I have secured $570,000 to enable the city's 
Streets & Engineering Department to develop and implement the City's 5-
year Capital Improvement Program. The City of Hialeah has a rapidly 
aging infrastructure with some areas facing more than 50 years since 
any work has been done in repairs/reconstruction. Areas have been 
chosen throughout the city, based on roadway need, drainage concerns, 
areas that have not been reconstructed for over three decades and fill-
in for sections that are still needed.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Highway Administration, TCSP account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Sweetwater, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 500 SW 109th Avenue, Sweetwater, FL 
33174
  Description of Request: I have secured $475,000 to repair, resurface 
and mill city sidewalks and streets. Many of the city's sidewalks and 
streets have not been serviced in over 20 years due to the lack of 
funding for improvements and maintenance. These damaged sidewalks and 
streets compromise citizen safety (several are unsafe for walking and 
bicycling); cause damage to property (i.e., cars, bicycles); and give 
the city an undesirable aesthetic appearance. Sweetwater does have 
approximately $300,000 in matching funds for sidewalk and street-
related projects.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities 
account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1032, Miami, 
FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $475,000 to purchase 
additional buses for Miami-Dade County. Federal bus and bus-related 
funds will enhance current levels of service to meet the growing 
transportation demand--increasing bus routes and improving service 
frequencies. The purchase of additional buses will have an important 
collective impact on Miami-Dade County's ability to decrease congestion 
and promote intermodal linkages for passengers throughout the South 
Florida region.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Transit Administration, Buses and Bus Facilities 
account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Pembroke Pines, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 10100 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, 
FL 33026
  Description of Request: I have secured $475,000 to purchase three 
buses for the City of Pembroke Pines senior center for transporting the 
elderly population. This program will help to alleviate congestion on 
already crowded city streets and ensure additional safety of the 
elderly population who frequent the senior center.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Federal Highway Administration, TCSP account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Doral, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100, Doral, 
FL 33166
  Description of Request: I have secured $237,500 for property 
acquisition, design, permitting, and construction of roadway gaps and 
intersections identified to be in need of capacity improvements. This 
will help to alleviate roadway sections that are failing due to large 
traffic volumes. In addition, there are several roadway gaps where 
development has expanded the grid pattern of the City roadways 
surrounding small parcels that have not been developed. The completion 
of these small sections of roadway would complete the City's grid 
pattern and provide additional options for increasing traffic to avoid 
already congested intersections.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
  Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus
  Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, EDI account
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Miami Springs, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 201 Westward Drive, Miami Springs, FL 
33166
  Description of Request: I have secured $237,500 to replace the 
municipal gymnasium in Miami Springs, Florida. The new community center 
will be a focal point of Miami Springs, providing functions including 
theater, elderly continuing education and gymnasium functions.

                          ____________________