[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 89 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1417-E1418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the 
following.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Name of Requesting Entity: City of Homestead
  Address of Requesting Entity: 790 N. Homestead, FL, 33030
  Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for Emergency 
Wireless Law Enforcement Technology. This funding will would be used to 
install a city-wide Wi-Fi network that would enhance the City's public 
safety and emergency services communications. The City proposes to 
install 24 to 40 access points per mile throughout the 14 square miles 
of the City, which would serve as a supplement to Homestead's existing 
wired network, and would greatly enhance the City's ability to provide 
more efficient and cost effective services. This project will result in 
increased efficiency in public service and reduce response times to 
emergencies by providing easy access and communication to multiple 
agencies and response teams simultaneously. The use of wireless 
technology will also minimize exposure to dangerous weather during 
storm events and minimize the likelihood of loss of service during and 
after storm events. In addition to investment in public safety 
preparedness, deployment of city-wide Wi-Fi technology would spur 
economic development and

[[Page E1418]]

e-commerce by aiding businesses and citizens by providing low cost 
internet access and services, which would also serve as a key component 
in bridging the digital divide for those citizens and businesses which 
lack internet access. The City anticipates the total cost of this 
project to be approximately $2 million. However the project could be 
implemented in phases, with the first phase costing approximately 
$500,000 and would create approximately 10 jobs in the local economy.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The City of Doral
  Address of Requesting Entity: 8300 NW 53rd St, Suite 100, Doral, FL 
33166
  Description of Request: I have secured $750,000 for the City of Doral 
Public Safety & Surveillance System. This federal funding would be used 
for the creation of a city-wide closed circuit video system, to be 
managed and monitored by the City's Police Department. The City of 
Doral Police Department serves the public safety and traffic needs of 
the rapidly-growing population and vibrant community. With the City's 
current population nearing 40,000 residents (and quickly growing), City 
of Doral public officials created a police department in 2008 to deal 
with the traffic influx and public safety concerns that come with any 
burgeoning city. It is anticipated that the City's current 71% growth 
rate will increase the population to 65,000 residents by the year 2012. 
The goal of this system is to provide added protection against 
commercial theft and increased security for all of Doral's residents 
and visitors. This project is estimated to create six new jobs in the 
City of Doral.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hialeah
  Address of Requesting Entity: 501 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010
  Description of Request: I have secured $250,000 for the Hialeah 
police Equipment Upgrades. This federal funding would be used for the 
City of Hialeah police department's current radio system which 
currently does not allow for radio interoperability among other law 
enforcement agencies. This is 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: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Collier County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34112
  Description of Request: I have secured $800,000 for the Collier 
County Emergency Services Technology. This Federal Funding would be 
used to support the acquisition of public safety technology equipment 
for the Collier County Emergency Services Center (ESC), which is being 
constructed on a 20-acre site on Lely Cultural Parkway, just south of 
Rattlesnake Hammock Road. The ESC will be approximately 130,000 square 
feet, four stories and includes a communications tower. Occupants will 
include the Emergency Management staff, Emergency Operations Center 
(EOC), Information Technology, Sheriff's Substation and 911 Center, and 
Clerk of Courts. Technology needs include GIS and improved 
interoperable communications.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miami-Dade County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 111 NW 1st St., Suite 1032, Miami, FL 
33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $150,000 for the Miami-Dade 
County Mortgage Fraud Task Force. This Federal Funding would be used 
for the creation of a mortgage fraud task force national model to train 
law enforcement individuals in those identified communities which 
represent the ten (10) highest concentrated areas affected by mortgage 
fraud. The Miami-Dade County MFTF will serve as a national model based 
on its proven performance. The national model will be coordinated by 
Miami-Dade County and administered by the United States Department of 
Justice The anticipated benefits include a more effective process of 
dealing with and prosecuting mortgage fraud in Miami-Dade County and 
nationwide, and eventually, a decrease in the occurrence of mortgage 
fraud. This project has the support of the Miami-Dade County Board of 
County Commissioners, the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, and the Director 
of the County's Police Department (MDPD).
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 2847
  Account: Department of Justice, Commerce, Science, Justice and 
Related Agencies
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The ARISE Foundation
  Address of Requesting Entity: 824 US Hwy 1, Suite 240, North Palm 
Beach, FL, 33408-3838
  Description of Request: I have secured $550,000 for the ARISE Life-
Management Skills Intervention/Re-entry Program for High-Risk Youth. 
The funding will be used by The ARISE Foundation to provide juvenile 
justice facilities with specialized staff training and unique curricula 
to teach life lessons and develop thinking skills for incarcerated 
youth needed to break the cycle of violence and crime in order to 
reduce recidivism rates. The ARISE Intervention-Re-entry program 
provides Florida Juvenile Justice Staff on a statewide basis with in-
depth training and specialized ARISE Life Management Skills lessons to 
conduct guided group discussions with incarcerated high-risk youth. 
Topics include anger and conflict management, how to get a job and keep 
it, why violence, substance abuse and gangs will wreck their lives and 
other vital subjects. The ARISE program has been developed so it is 
easily absorbed and understood by youth reading at very low levels 
often suffering from trauma and emotional problems. As a result of the 
comprehensive training, correctional staff who have never had to 
``stand and deliver'' in front of a group often become more interested 
and motivated to take an active role in guiding these troubled youth 
away from a life of crime. The staff then conducts interactive ARISE 
groups with the youth in their charge. When the youth learn positive 
life and social skills, this information enables them to make better 
life choices, reduces the rate of recidivism, and decreases the rate of 
juvenile crime.

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