Pallone: Congress Approves $295,000 for Monmouth University

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) said today that the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate approved a giant funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 this weekend that includes $295,000 for projects at Monmouth University. Pallone requested the funds in a letter to the members of the House Appropriations Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee earlier this year.

Pallone secured $145,000 for Monmouth University's Guggenheim Library for building restoration and the construction of an educational and information technology resource center. The Guggenheim Library is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and houses important state and federal government historical records and serves as a site for traveling local, regional and national exhibitions.

"Not only is the Guggenheim Library home to many of New Jersey's important historical documents, but the building itself is an important part of New Jersey's history," Pallone said. "These funds will help to make much needed restorations and help to provide the library with a state-of-the art information technology research center."

Pallone also secured $150,000 for Monmouth University Center for Coastal Watershed Management. Monmouth University is the leading academic institution in the state in studying ways to impro ve watershed management. The fund will allow the center to study the impact watershed management in Central New Jersey has on area rivers, beaches and ecosystems.

"These funds ensure that the pilot program at the Monmouth University will continue to provide critical insight into ways our government can improve coastal watershed management," said Pallone. "Our area is home to some of the state's most famous natural and economic resources and this program is working to maximize the benefits we receive while not endangering our precious natural resources."

The funds were included in a giant $388 billion spending bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2005, which officially began on October 1, 2004. The legislation now awaits the president's signature.