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July 15, 2005
Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Welcomes Senate Action to Protect
High-Risk Non-Profits from Terrorist
Attacks
The Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations of America, the nation's largest Orthodox
Jewish umbrella organization, welcomed the U.S. Senate's passage
yesterday of the 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which
includes a continuation of federal funding to help protect
high-risk non-profit institutions from terrorist attacks. The bill
contains $25 million for this purpose as a result of the
leadership of Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Barbara Mikulski
(D-MD) with whom the Union worked in partnership with a coalition
of non-profit groups led by United Jewish Communities.
This $25 million in federal funding would go to the Homeland
Security Department’s Office for State and Local Government
Coordination and Preparedness to distribute to high-risk
non-profit organizations. The non-profits will use the federal
funds for much-needed physical security enhancements.
Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Union stated:
"The Orthodox Jewish community greatly appreciates the Senate's
continuing support for the security of our community's at-risk
institutions among many non-profit entities which require aid for
security. We deeply appreciate the leadership and commitment of
Senators Specter and Mikulski and the support of the many other
Senators for this program. We look forward to securing final
passage and implementation of this important program."
In the next step of the legislative process, the House and Senate
will meet in Conference Committee to work out the differences
between the two versions of the bill. The conference report will
then be voted on by both Houses of Congress. Once passed by the
House and Senate, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill will
go to the President for his signature.
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