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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week announced they have processed the funds secured earlier this year by Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) for the Silver Star Gang Prevention and Intervention. The program will receive a check for $430,348.

“Silver Star is our long-term solution to the gang problems on the Central Coast. We must have firm enforcement to keep our communities safe now, but unless we pair that with serious prevention efforts we will never be tackling the root of the problem,” Rep. Farr said. “Like any education or health initiative, we have to set children on the right path at an early age. Silver Star aims to do just that through all of it’s programs and dedicated staff. They do a great job and are worthy of praise.”

Silver Star, run by the Monterey Probation Department, provides counseling, educational and job preparation services to more than 3,000 minors annually. The program was created as a “one stop shop” for gang involvement, substance abuse, truancy, employment and family conflict.

“Due to the difficult fiscal times we are facing, this funding is vital to continue the services for our youth and families,” said Manuel Real, chief probation officer of Monterey County. “We owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Farr for his continuing support of these critical programs.”

Rep. Farr has secured nearly $1.5 million since 2005 for the program, and has requested an additional $350,000 for next year.

“Silver Star is exactly the kind of local project that federal dollars should support,” Rep. Farr said. “I visited their facilities in January and spoke with the kids who are being helped by the programs, and it was a very touching time. I will continue to support Silver Star. It’s one of the few bright lights in our battle against gang violence.”

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives this morning passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which will fund veterans programs and military quality of life projects. The bill includes $72.7 billion in funds for a wide range of programs, including three projects in Monterey.

“Keeping the Central Coast’s military presence on the cutting edge has been a top priority of mine,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who sits on the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs subcommittee. “From Fort Hunter Liggett in the south to DLI and NPS in the north, our active duty presence is vital to military readiness, and I’m pleased to have funds included in this bill for important programs.”

Local projects include:

-$9.9 million would fund a Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School. These funds would help accommodate an increase in students that has strained current facilities.
- $3.9 million to fund the Modified Record Fire Range at Fort Hunter Liggett. This range is one of Ft. Hunter-Liggett’s most critical training facility requirements.
- $15 million for a new classroom at the Defense Language Institute that will reduce class size and increase foreign language proficiency.

This bill also includes $47.7 billion to fund a wide range of veterans programs including expanding access to health care; strengthening mental health care for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury; and providing veterans with advanced prosthetics.

The legislation would also increase gas mileage reimbursement from 28.5 to 41 cents per mile for veterans who must travel long distances to receive care.

The bill passed by a vote of 409-4. The Senate has not yet passed its version of this bill. Once it does, the two versions will be reconciled, then sent to the president for his signature.

Washington, D.C. – The governors of California, Oregon and Washington on Tuesday released their Ocean Action Plan outlining strategies to coordinate management of coast and ocean resources.

The plan will implement ecosystem-based management similar to provisions in Oceans-21 (H.R. 21), a bill introduced by Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). Rep. Farr released the following statement:

“This is another example of states being two steps ahead of the federal government. With the White House and GOP leadership continuing to block environmental bills, states are being forced to come up with their own plans.

“Instead of wasting time debating offshore drilling plans that are opposed by the public and which will do nothing to solve our energy problems, the Ocean Action Plan wisely promotes renewable offshore energy and ecosystem-based management to ensure our ocean are being administered responsibly and protected for future generations.

“The plan echoes calls for a commitment to our oceans through an ocean trust fund and regional ocean management. Federal legislation I introduced last year would create a trust fund to provide support for regional plans exactly like the one introduced on Tuesday.”

For more information on the Ocean Action Plan, visit Wet Coast Oceans