[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MERCER COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2005

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, today, I honor Mercer County, West Virginia, 
for being recognized by the America's Promise Organization as one of 
the best communities in the Nation for our youth. This is because of 
their successful efforts to provide a healthy, safe and caring 
environment. As Mercer County was the only county in West Virginia to 
be named in the report, their efforts set the benchmark very high for 
all of WV and beyond. Mercer County is also taking great strides to 
become an even better community with its innovative Mercer Drug 
Treatment Program. This innovative program provides services to 
nonviolent offenders with a history of drug use and minor possession.
  The Mercer County Drug Treatment Program was recently awarded a grant 
of $27,282 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 
Program; I have seen the program in action first hand and my visit 
easily convinced me of the meritorious value inherent in this exemplary 
program. Treatment Programs such as the one in Mercer County play an 
important role in our community and their financial support certainly 
has merit, especially with the ongoing problems of methamphet-
amines throughout our state and nation. This funding is crucial in 
helping people get back on their feet and helping them to rectify past 
mistakes they have made. By providing cost-effective, pro-active, 
community-inclusive and community building solutions such as this, we 
show the compassion of our Nation, and live up to our West Virginia 
heritage of brotherhood and dedication to our fellow man. I am proud to 
have a county in my State and specifically my district that is taking 
such positive steps to actively engage all of its citizens, young and 
old, in working for a greater community.

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