Bishop: Labor Bill Funds $1.5 Million For Georgia Programs

Washington, D.C. Congressman Sanford Bishop, a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that the fiscal year 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill includes funding for $1,525,000 in projects in the Second Congressional District.

The appropriations bill, which Congressman Bishop helped to craft, was passed by the full House Appropriations Committee yesterday. In addition to the local funding included in the bill, the Committee passed an amendment to increase the minimum wage over the next two years. The amendment passed with a bipartisan vote of 32 to 27 – with Congressman Bishop voting in the affirmative – and will raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the next two years. This provision must now be passed by the full House of Representatives where its future is uncertain.

“I am very pleased that I was able to secure these funds for our district,” said Congressman Bishop. “The resources the Second Congressional District will receive are going to improve healthcare technology and access, increase opportunities for children to learn science and math, and help to build stronger families.”

Projects included in the bill are: $75,000 for facilities and equipment at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie; $350,000 for cancer education and early detection at the John B. Amos Cancer Center at the Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Columbus; $75,000 for a student nutrition and physical fitness program through Youth Becoming Healthy in Albany; $200,000 for family counseling and youth mentoring at the Family Center of Columbus GA; $300,000 for math and science education for at risk students through Albany State University; $225,000 to assist English language learners through the Georgia Project; and $300,000 for post secondary support for minority males at Albany State and Darton College.