Spencer Bachus

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, the United States is the largest economy in the world. We are bigger than our four next competitors, and we got there through personal freedom and individual choice. We didn't get there by government management. Now, countries in Europe, we have heard a lot about the fact that they have government-run health care, but that is not America. We are distinct. We place our faith in the individual. We compete, but we don't compete with the government. The Federal Government should not be given the power to make health care choices for you or your family or to force you, as a taxpayer, as a citizen, to pay for an abortion when it violates your values. Let's listen to the majority of Americans. Let's start over. Let's have an American plan. Let's work on solutions that are consistent with our traditions of choice, freedom, and put our faith in the individual, not the government.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I want to commend him for his work on this legislation. I also want to commend Chairman Waters and Chairman Meeks for their work, and other Members who I think have worked in a bipartisan way for an excellent legislation and a very worthy legislation. I rise in complete support for the Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery Act. If you picked a country and a capital in a country anywhere in the world which could least deal with a devastating earthquake, it would be Port-au-Prince, Haiti. You could not visualize a worse scenario. The immediate legacy, other than which you have witnessed on the TV screens here in America, is that there will be virtually a generation of orphans who have lost their parents. That alone would be a challenge for any country. Think of New Orleans and what a challenge that has been for our country. For Haiti, it is a monumental undertaking. And, quite frankly, it is hard to visualize in our lifetime seeing Haiti recover. The human tragedy following that earthquake is overwhelming. As Haiti's citizens seek to rebuild, I think it is very important for us to stand with them and alongside them. And I commend the administration for their efforts since the earthquake. Many of our agencies are there. Many of our charities are there. Many of our church groups are there. Many of our NGOs are there: the Jubilee Act, Melinda St. Louis, her organization; Tom Hart of the One Campaign. I think those two organizations have done a wonderful job of highlighting the need not only in Haiti, but in many of the impoverished countries. The first measure we can take--other than the efforts that we have witnessed, many American volunteers and government efforts--to ensure that all of Haiti's remaining resources are devoted to reconstruction and not to development loans that it is unrealistic to expect can ever be repaid, this legislation is a part of that step. Haiti's impoverished condition dates back to its origins under French colonial rule, to 1804, 205, 206 years ago, when Haiti's citizens won their independence in a revolution similar to our revolution from the French colonial regime. France imposed a blockade and imposed and extracted a promise of $21 billion in reparations, and that is $21 billion in today's currency. That is greater than the debt incurred at that time by the United States, a much bigger government. So Haiti, when they were born as a country, they were immediately impoverished, and their enslavement continued. I will say that. The amazing thing, if you look at that debt that the French imposed and you read about it, part of the debt was repayment for compensation for property, which included the slave population. I mean, that's amazing. That's amazing. That is something that we can't go back and do anything about, but we can certainly do something today. But when the French lost their ability to enslave that population, they extracted, because of their navy, a blockade and that debt. With the country's economic productivity being drained, since its inception, to pay this enormous debt, which has never been paid off, never paid off because there were other debts added, economic development stifled since 1804. Sometimes we say, Why Haiti? Why is it so poor? Why has it always been so poor? It never stood a chance. In more recent times, and one would think that things couldn't get worse than that, Duvalier, under his dictatorship, was responsible for more than 40 percent of the additional loans to Haiti. I mean, think about loaning to a dictator who is suppressing his people. We have seen that in Africa and other places, and it is an absurdity that we ought to address in Haiti and we ought to address in other places because, in that way, countries that did that contributed. The brutal regime further despoiled the country by diverting funds borrowed for development to their own personal enrichment to bank accounts out of the country. With this history, it is no surprise that Haiti was deeply impoverished since the beginning, their foundation as a nation. And this bill by Ms. Waters and others takes a very fine first step toward the goal of eliminating Haiti's uncollectible debts so that the country can begin, for the first time, really, the process of becoming self- sustaining, and they are going to need a lot of help. The text to be considered says the Treasury Secretary should direct U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to work with their colleagues to try to achieve cancellation of debt owed by Haiti to those institutions. Since any cancellation would take months to accomplish, it seeks suspension of debt payment services until the cancellation takes place. None of these institutions realistically expects Haiti to service its debt at a time Haiti is lying in ruins. As a former Treasury Under Secretary before our committee last week said, it is a ``cruel hoax'' on both the people of developing countries and on the taxpayers of donor nations to pretend that even without an earthquake, Haiti, a country whose citizens subsist on a dollar or two a day, is ever going to be able to pay back billions of dollars in development loans. The United States has always been a benevolent and caring country. Even during our current economic challenges, we have not lost our compassion. In fact, our present travails have, in some respects, I believe, given us a greater appreciation for the desperation and suffering of those facing challenges and hardships in Haiti, although theirs are much greater than anything that we are undergoing. The United States, and let me stress this, if you don't hear anything else, if you are thinking about voting against this bill, hear this: The United States has forgiven all of its bilateral debt to Haiti. What we are asking is we are asking others to do what we have done. What we are doing with this is directing the Secretary of the Treasury to use his voice and influence to seek debt cancellation from others. Among them are Venezuela and Taiwan. By far, Venezuela is the largest bilateral creditor. Taiwan is a distant second. Forgiving the debt Haiti owes to multilateral agencies is consistent with our principles, and we can lead by example while we lend a helping hand. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, this bill before us contains some minor changes to the bill that came out of the Committee on Financial Services, all of which I support. The changes don't add any cost. They don't change the intent of the bill. Added at the end of original committee text is a section very similar to the bill that the Senate passed last week by unanimous consent. The section says the Secretaries of State and Treasury should support the creation and use of a multinational trust fund that could include and leverage any future U.S. aid to Haiti, and that aid ought to be in the form of grants, not loans, and that the Secretary of the Treasury should seek a speed-up in interbank transfers at the Inter-American Development Bank so they may be used in Haiti's recovery. These are sensible steps, and I support the changes and I commend my colleagues who are also here in support of this very worthy legislation.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, I would like unanimous consent for an additional minute on each side.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, I now ask unanimous consent to yield our 1 minute to the majority.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from Hawaii and the gentleman from Kentucky, and the Education and Labor Committee for expediting this resolution, and for your kind words in support of the University of Alabama and its fine football team upon winning the national championship. And Mr. Speaker, I thank you and the Congress for giving the Alabama delegation the opportunity to congratulate the University of Alabama and its football team for winning the national championship. All members of the Alabama delegation have joined with me and Congressman Artur Davis. I and he are the lead cosponsors of this resolution. This is a celebration of the culmination of a very successful season on and off the field of play. And as I say, it culminated in the game between the University of Alabama and University of Texas, two teams that exemplify college football and college athletics at its best. In the previous year, Alabama was undefeated, but then lost to Florida in the SEC championship game and Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Disappointing losses like that might tear some teams apart. Instead, it made the university's coaching staff and players even more committed and determined to put in the hard work and dedication needed to make it all the way to the top. The hard work started in spring practice and continued through the long fall schedule. One important lesson is never allow your defeats to hold you back. Last week we honored Mark Ingram, who also has overcome challenges to win the Heisman Trophy. Alabama did this, they put the last two defeats of the former season behind them and dedicated them to the year ahead. To make it to the national championship game, you must have the discipline to win in the regular season week in and week out. Alabama always came prepared to play to the very end, whether it was in the season opener against a talented Virginia Tech team, or against the demanding competition in the SEC, which many believe is presently the toughest football conference in the Nation, although I am sure some of my colleagues would debate that. There were games won by comfortable margins, and there were close calls against the University of Tennessee and Auburn University. There was the return match-up with Florida, the defending SEC champion and the defending national champion, and its outstanding quarterback, Tim Tebow, in the SEC title game. Each game and each victory was a building block towards the BCS championship game on January 7, where the team achieved its ultimate goal. The match-up in Pasadena was fitting because the University of Alabama and the University of Texas both have proud football histories, with legendary coaches, with coaches like Paul ``Bear'' Bryant and Darrell Royal. The fans on both sides were avid and dedicated, who came out so to support their teams in great number and with great enthusiasm. But in doing so, they were very respectful and hospitable towards each other. That is the way college athletics should be. That is the way that things should be on the floor of this House. And we should all be committed to that. And I think that we are. The game itself had inspiring personal stories. The quarterback for Texas, Colt McCoy, is a fine young man. When he was injured, his team took from his example and never gave up, fighting until the end. Alabama's quarterback, Greg McElroy, quietly played with two broken ribs. Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the MVP of the game and the first Heisman Trophy winner in school history, is a student-athlete of outstanding character and spirit. But it was a team effort. In the end, Alabama came out on top, and finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record, and its first national championship season since 1992, under Coach Gene Stallings. There was another undefeated team, and that was Boise State University. And I congratulate coach Chris Peterson of Boise State. When someone said they should be invited to the White House together with the University of Alabama, he graciously said there is only one national champion, that is the University of Alabama, and they should be invited. So I congratulate Boise State University on their successful undefeated year, as do all citizens of Alabama. The passionate fans in Alabama can be very proud of the way that their student-athletes have represented both the university and the state. I commend President Dr. Robert Witt and his administration, and Coach Nick Saban and his fine staff, for setting high standards on and off the field. And last but not least, we congratulate the alumni, the fans, and the students of the University of Alabama for their support. But most of all, it was the players, the athletes, each and every one of them. Through their hard work, these players have earned the right to be called champions. We at Alabama salute them, are proud of them, and we appreciate the opportunity to honor them with this resolution.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, I commend Mark Ingram. The whole State of Alabama is very proud of Mark and Flint, Michigan. The State of Michigan I know is very proud of their native son, and they should be. I commend Congressman Kildee for bringing this resolution. The State of Michigan has overcome many challenges, and I think it's fitting that Mark Ingram comes from a State that has overcome so many challenges. I rise to recognize Mark Ingram as representing the citizens of Alabama. He is the first Heisman Trophy winner to ever win the award at the University of Alabama. Now, think about the University of Alabama, Bear Bryant, and the storied program at the university; yet he is the first recipient of the Heisman Trophy at the University of Alabama. Many names come to mind at the University of Alabama, many all- Americans; yet he is the first to accomplish that. And as Congressman Kildee said, he did so in his sophomore year. A ``Sports Illustrated'' cover story called Mark ``the Pride of the Tide.'' He did set an Alabama single-season rushing record of over 1,542 yards. He led the Nation with 38 runs of 10 yards or more, and he caught 30 passes in addition to that. When the game was on the line, Mark Ingram was at his best. What statistics don't measure and what Congressman Guthrie and what Congressman Kildee have properly emphasized is the person that Mark Ingram is. You know, in life, it's not so much your accomplishments on the field. It's what you do with that opportunity. It's what you do with that talent. And Mark's greatest asset is his spirit. He stands as an example for all young people of what can be achieved through hard work, through determination of overcoming adversity and putting others first. In his acceptance speech, he put others first. He recognized his four competitors. He talked about how much he enjoyed getting to meet them, what fine young men they were; and we know that that's true. We know of Tim Tebow. We know of all that Tim has done off the field. He is an inspiration to all of us with his values and his spiritual commitment. Prior to the Alabama-Texas game, Alabama fans who visited California had many conversations with the University of Texas fans. Both before the game, during the game, and after the game, the respect, the kindness, and the hospitality between those two teams and between their fans should be an example for all of us. There was such a spirit of friendliness. And Colt McCoy, many of us learned that he spends as much as 2 or 3 hours on certain days visiting children with terminal illnesses and with severe illnesses. What a fine young man. What a fine young man Tim Tebow is. Mark Ingram is a better person because of the challenges of those young men and their examples. I think he will be a better example for others. And how wonderful it is that our young people can look to people like Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy to be role models. I think the story that Mark has that is a little special is dealing with the family challenges. Mark has been a model of grace and loyalty. As a dean's list student, he has balanced his record on the football field with excellence in the classroom. He demonstrated his humility and his spirit of sportsmanship during his speech at the Heisman Trophy award ceremony. He thanked his teachers. He thanked his coaches. He thanked his teammates. And as I said earlier, he thanked his competitors and talked about what fine young men they were. So today I think we not only congratulate Mark Ingram, but we congratulate Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and college football for producing so many fine young men that are examples off the field as well as on the field. And college football is better because of Mark Ingram. It's better because of them. It's better because of people back in Flint, Michigan, the grandfather and mother and teachers who made Mark Ingram the person he is today. And he had the intelligence and the character to recognize them. Mark was the most valuable player of the national championship game. Not only was he that; he was a Heisman award winner, and he won the national championship. That is something that no other player has done, no other player in the history of college football. Matt Leinart of the University of Southern Cal was a Heisman Trophy winner, and he played for USC in the national championship game. However, he was not the most valuable player. As I said, the Alabama and Texas fans came together to support their teams, two storied programs. They were respectful of each other, and they are an example of the high plane that college athletes can reach. The way that Mark Ingram has conducted himself and represented his team and the university is perhaps his greatest accomplishment. It is a source of pride for all supporters of Alabama football but also for Auburn supporters. I can tell you that we are all, in the State of Alabama and throughout the country, proud of Mark Ingram. From President Robert Witt to Coach Nick Saban to all citizens of the State. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, we congratulate Mark Ingram for his achievements for his hard work. And it did take hard work; it was not given to him. He has earned every accolade.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, let us honor of the memory of Officer Philip Davis, the first officer in the history of the Pelham, Alabama Police Department to die in the line of duty. Officer Davis was performing his sworn duty to protect the public when he was shot and fatally wounded during a traffic stop on I-65 in Shelby County on December 3. Philip Davis was a four and a half year veteran of the Pelham Police Department. He previously was an officer in Calera and with the University of Alabama Police Department. Officer Davis was devoted to the law, his community, his faith, and especially his family. He felt that it was his calling to serve and protect others. Pelham Police Chief Tommy Thomas said, ``He was an excellent police officer. He loved his job and we loved him.'' Shelby County District Attorney Robbie Owens said, ``Philip was a genuinely good, Christian person and dear police officer. We will all miss Philip. He was a good man.'' Pelham Mayor Don Murphy said, ``This was a very sad day for the City of Pelham and for law enforcement all across our nation. Philip was an asset to both the Police Department and the City of Pelham. His dedication, personality and commitment will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his young family.'' Philip Davis was just 33 years old. Our sympathies and prayers are with his wife, Paula, and his two young children, Sarah and John. In a close-knit community like Pelham, Philip Davis was a friend, neighbor, and role model. The depth of the community's love for him was clear from the way citizens lined up in cars and along the streets during memorial services that were attended by more than one-thousand fellow law enforcement officials. All law enforcement officers and their families live with a special burden every day. They know there are risks involved with every call, whether it is serious or seemingly routine. Yet our police officers willingly accept these risks in order to keep our communities safe. That is why our officers deserve nothing less than our highest respect and complete support. The untimely death of any police officer is a loss not only to the immediate community, but to our nation. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, which is not far from the U.S. Capitol, is our national tribute to the sacrifices that courageous members of the law enforcement community have made to keep us secure. The name of Officer Philip Davis will be added to this memorial so that his legacy is properly remembered and cherished. No words can adequately make up for the loss of a dedicated officer and devoted husband and father. But as an inscription at the Memorial reads, ``It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.'' I thank my colleagues for this opportunity to honor to life and service of Officer Philip Davis.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. I rise to claim the time in opposition. Let me say to the gentleman from Tennessee, let me explain the purpose behind the provision which your amendment seeks to strike. And I say that I would be glad to work with the chairman and with the Member at this time, striking the provision that I inserted in the committee that you objected to, and won't ask for a recorded vote. So let me explain the background behind this amendment, and I think if we can all work together, I think we can make investors safer and make a better system. If the body will recall, and the chairman, on December 12 of last year, about a year ago, Bernie Madoff was arrested for committing the largest financial fraud in the history of the country. It was a tremendous scam--a $65 million Ponzi scheme which defrauded nonprofits, universities, and pension funds, and wiped out the savings of literally tens of thousands of families and citizens. Now, to do this, Bernie Madoff operated two separate entities: one was a broker dealer and one was an investment adviser. The fraud occurred with the investor adviser. That is where the fraud occurred. The investment adviser was registered with the SEC. The investment adviser, Madoff's investor adviser, was subject to examination by the SEC, but I would point out to the chairman of the full committee and the gentleman from Tennessee they never examined the investor adviser. They never examined it. Madoff operated a broker-dealer in the same premises and under the same name. And it was examined, was subject to examination by the SEC and by FINRA. I was saying let FINRA go ahead and examine the investment advisers, these dual operations where you have both. FINRA inspected the broker-dealer at least every other year, but the fraud didn't occur there; it occurred in the investment adviser. FINRA lacked the authority to go in and examine the investor adviser. They couldn't examine it. And my provision I put in the committee said let them be able to, as they examine the broker-dealer, let them go in and look at the books of the investment adviser if you're operating a dual operation. Had they had the right, they would have gone in and they would have discovered this fraud. The SEC, which had the right, never did it. Now, as I said earlier, maybe there's another solution. The SEC has said we don't want FINRA taking over our jurisdiction. What I'd like to say is, let's make sure the SEC starts doing their job. Let's make sure that they start examining these investment advisers. Someone needs to. The average investment adviser is only examined once every 10 years. Bernie Madoff's investment adviser was never examined. It's the kind of gap in regulation that causes disasters. It causes scams, it causes Bernie Madoffs of the world to get along for decades. That is why I introduced this amendment, the provision, which we're now striking. Now, going forward, we at least need to look at this. We need to know that there are 500 or 600 of these investment advisers and broker- dealers, dual operations. And we need to make clear that the SEC, somewhere, that they have the authority to examine both investment advisers and broker-dealers. If they want to perform that mission--and I know one thing the chairman has done; he has added more money for the SEC. I think that is part of the answer, but I think this committee, the Congress, as we go forward, needs to make sure they do their job. And there was a monumental failure of the SEC, and if they don't do their job or we find they don't and they have the resources, let's give it to someone else. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. BACHUS. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BACHUS. I appreciate that, and I think that is a logical solution to that. And at this time I will support the gentleman's amendment to strike the provision. And as I said when I brought this provision up, I wanted to highlight the fact that this is how Bernie Madoff, you know, he got away with operating these two operations on the same premises, and we need to do the--the regulators need to do a better job, someone, of being able to look across those operations.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk made in order under the rule.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. Madam Chair, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) just talked about we're not going to call time out. But, ladies and gentlemen, the American people are calling time out. They are ready to put this Congress and this administration and the Federal Reserve into timeout. The time has expired on bailouts. That's the message we are hearing all over America. Americans are saying no more bailouts, and they are saying no more bailout funds. That's the primary difference between the Democratic plan and the Republican plan. Once and for all, we say no more bailouts. The American people, quite frankly, don't care about the mechanics. They don't care about the details. What they do care is that they be treated fairly, and they not be obligated for a risk that they didn't take. That's our plan. It's that simple. If bankruptcy is good enough for American citizens, if it's good enough for small businesses, if it's good enough for 999 of America's corporations, it ought to be good enough for the largest ``too big to fail'' institutions, and that's the last thing we put to death with our plan. There won't be any more ``too big to fail.'' You take risk or you loan or allow people to take risk with your money, you lose; not the American people. No more bailouts. No more bailouts. Vote for the Republican substitute. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, would you give the time remaining on each side.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chairman, as I understand it, the chairman has one more speaker on his side so at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I would like unanimous consent at this time to recognize our troops who are in the gallery today.

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, at this time I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BACHUS

Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding funding that I requested as part of the H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Spencer Bachus Bill Number: H.R. 3288--the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Juvenile Justice Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama Department of Public Safety Address of Requesting Entity: Post Office Box 1511 Montgomery AL, 36102-1511 Description of Request: Provide $150,000 for efforts to target the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of child sexual predators in the State of Alabama. Funding will be used for additional personnel and equipment. These funds will allow the investigation and prosecution of child sexual exploitation . The FY 1998 Justice Appropriations Act directed DOJ to create a national network of state and local law enforcement cyber units to investigate cases of child sexual exploitation; this funding will help the State of Alabama to fulfill that mission. The project's total budget is $500,000. Specifically within the budget, $225,000 will go toward permanent personnel salaries, $110,600 for fringe benefits, $75,000 for travel and training and $25,000 for equipment. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs--Juvenile Justice Account. The Alabama Department of Public Safety will meet or exceed all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable. Requesting Member: Congressman Spencer Bachus Bill Number: H.R. 3288--the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Department of Justice, Department of Justice, OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama Department of Public Safety Address of Requesting Entity: Post Office Box 1511 Montgomery AL, 36102-1511 Description of Request: Provide $1,000,000 for the Alabama Department of Public Safety/Alabama Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit, Alabama Fusion Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham will partner with Alabama District Attorneys Association in a multi-pronged approach to investigate and prosecute financial cyber crimes within Alabama. Staff will be hired to conduct computer research and monitor the phishing sites, train law enforcement agencies in analysis and investigative techniques as related to phishing, and conduct analysis and investigation into leads generated by the UAB Computer Forensics Department. This project will protect citizens from predatory actions such as cyber scams. Not only will more criminals be brought to justice but the victims will have a better chance of recovering losses. This will help protect financial institutions against fraud and lessen potential demands on the FDIC fund. The project's total budget is $3,215,585. Specifically within the budget, for the Alabama District Attorney's Association $225,000 will go toward personnel, $154,334 for fringe benefits, $60,000 for travel, $75,000 for supplies, $237,100 for equipment and $150,000 for other expenses; for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Association $364,639 will go toward personnel, $65,659 for fringe benefits, $50,000 for travel, $51,000 for tuition and health insurance,$210,000 for equipment and $289,997 indirect costs; and for the Alabama Department of Public Safety $238,968 will go toward personnel, $103,981 for fringe benefits, $60,907 for travel, $50,000 for supplies, $200,000 for equipment and $80,000 for other expenses. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs--Ju Byrne Discretionary Grants. The Alabama Department of Public Safety will meet or exceed all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable. Requesting Member: Congressman Spencer Bachus Bill Number: H.R. 3288--the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Department of Justice, Department of Justice, COPS-Meth Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama District Attorney's Association--Office of Prosecution Services Address of Requesting Entity: 515 South Perry Street Montgomery AL, 36104 Description of Request: Zerometh is Alabama's reaction to the destructive force of today's meth epidemic. Its purpose is to expose meth and its deadly consequences to teens and young adults (12-24). The goal is to stop a potential first-time user from ever trying the drug, while encouraging everyone to look for the warning signs and support treatment. The funding will be used to purchase media and develop presentations. Meth use is a national epidemic that requires attention at all levels, but education will be the critical step to slowing down the rate of addiction to the powerful job. Zerometh has a distinctly federal goal in its mission to educate young people as to the dangers of Meth and the impact it can have on their life. The project's total budget is $1,000,000. Specifically within the budget, $830,000 will go toward advertising and media expenses, $50,000 for meth education presentations, $55,000 for administration and training and $65,000 for equipment, supplies and printing. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Department of Justice, COPS-Meth Account. The Alabama District Attorney's Association--Office of Prosecution Services will meet or exceed all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable.