Rep. Engel Votes To Protect Religious And Non-Profit Organizations From Attack

Failed Riverdale Bomb Plot Contributes To Added Funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations

10/15/09 -- Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Eliot Engel voted today to approve the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which included $19 million in federal funds to help protect civil, religious and community institutions from terrorist attacks. The funding will be part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Non-Profit program.

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Rep. Engel has been a leading advocate for increased security measures for religious groups and other non-profit organizations, which could be targets of violence. This past May, the FBI and the New York Police Department foiled a plot to bomb two synagogues in the Bronx -- the Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center. There was also a shocking attack on the Holocaust Museum in Washington where a guard was murdered.

“Not only do I represent Riverdale in Congress, but Riverdale is my home. I live only a five-minute walk from the Riverdale Temple. I have visited both synagogues many times, and I was shocked that they could be the target of violence,” said Rep. Engel. “I immediately contacted Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano after the arrests were made. I am pleased to see that an additional $4 million was added to the House version of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill by the Senate, for enhanced security measures. We must be constantly vigilant against such threats and the increased funding will go a long way towards accomplishing this goal.”

Rep. Engel added, “The additional $4 million is going to be very helpful, but this is primarily a first step. Much more will need to be done in order to properly defend against any future attacks.”

UASI funding had taken a serious reduction in funding during the Bush Administration. Rep. Engel will continue to reach out to Secretary Napolitano to secure more protection for religious and non-profit organizations. He has also vowed to keep arguing for UASI funds to become available for Rockland County, which has been left out of funding distribution for far too long because of jurisdictional and geographical issues.

“Rockland County deserves the attention given to all of the other surrounding suburban regions of the New York City metropolitan area. In fact, the Jewish Community Campus (JCC) was once reportedly a target of the failed Riverdale terrorists. The threats facing Rockland are just as great as those to Westchester, Nassau and New Jersey. I plan to continue to make that point until Rockland is finally included,” said Rep. Engel.

The House-Senate Conference Committee legislation passed the full House by a vote of 307 to 114. It now must pass the Senate before being sent to President Obama for his signature. New York State will announce the grant application schedule in the near future. To learn more, visit http://www.security.state.ny.us/grants.html.

Source: Congressman Eliot Engel