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For Immediate Release
December 18, 2007 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that the U.S. House of Representatives approved on Monday the conference agreement for the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act. "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have fought to ensure that Congress supports Jackson County's funding priorities and allows for its continued growth," said Cramer. "This funding will help ensure that our community remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family." Included in the conference agreement was $129,940 for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements at the Jackson County Industrial park. Representative Cramer secured this funding with Senator Richard Shelby. Since Fiscal Year 2004, Representative Cramer has worked with state, county, and city officials to develop the Jackson County Industrial Park. Representative Cramer has provided over $1.78 million to install and expand water and sewer lines to the park as well as help build an access road within the park. Cramer said, "The development of the Jackson County Industrial Park has been an example in regional cooperation and our work is showing dividends. This funding will help further build the Park and continue to prepare its infrastructure for future development." In addition, Representative Cramer secured $539,000 for improvements to the Scottsboro Municipal Airport. Cramer said, "This funding will help support the Scottsboro Airport's plans to modernize and expand its facilities, infrastructure, and services. These improvements will help ensure that our airport is attractive to general aviation pilots and a centerpiece of our economic recruitment efforts." Also included in the conference agreement was $600 million of drought relief funding for farmers in Jackson County and across the country who were adversely affected by the 2007 drought. Cramer said, "Most of North Alabama continues to suffer through one of the worst droughts in history. While I am pleased that we are able to extend federal relief efforts, more work must be done to help Alabama farmers. I will continue to point out to my House colleagues and Administration officials the hardships North Alabama farmers are facing and I will continue to push for further relief." Finally, Representative Cramer announced that he has secured funding for two state-wide projects that will positively affect individuals in North Alabama. These projects include $449,000 for the Precision Agriculture Alabama project and $423,000 for the Alabama Statewide Mapping and Height Modernization project. Representative Cramer has served on the House Appropriations Committee since 1998. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense; the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. The conference agreement for the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act will provide funding for the entire federal government, except the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Funding for DoD was signed into law in November. The FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act now moves to the Senate for consideration. |
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